Sometimes, it’s necessary to reinvent yourself privately and reintroduce yourself publicly. That’s something TØDI OJ has learnt and implemented. Now, the artist formerly known as Pricelessay wants you to meet him where he’s at, and would like you to come along on his journey into the future. He spoke with us about his sound, his search for authenticity, and his dreams. Read the full conversation below, and keep an ear out for his new music, coming soon.

You were previously known as Pricelessay. What inspired the name change, and what does TØDI OJ represent to you now?

The name change was really about stepping into a more authentic version of myself. I wanted something that felt deeply personal and true to my identity. TØDI OJ represents growth and clarity; it’s what Pricelessay was searching for all along. It’s still evolving, but I’m a lot closer now to the vision I’ve always had for myself.

How would you describe your sound to someone hearing you for the first time?

I’d say my sound is calm, unique, and intentional. It carries emotion, every melody & harmony is placed to make you feel something, it’s more of a ‘feel’ type of sound than a  ‘hear’ type of sound.

When did you first realise that music was something you wanted to pursue seriously?

I realised I wanted to do music seriously around 2016. Back then, whenever I was invited to a party, I would randomly make freestyles just for entertainment, and the reactions I got made me realise it was deeper than just fun. My friend Browney even used half his feeding money to pay for our first studio session, and we made a song called ‘Givenchy’. It hasn’t been an easy road. There have been lots of setbacks and wrong turns, but we’re not where we used to be.

What kind of stories or feelings do you want people to take away from your music?

I just want people to feel, that’s the core of it. I don’t create with a fixed story in mind; I create from emotion, from whatever space I’m in at that moment. Whether it’s joy, pain, or reflection, I want the listener to connect with that energy and experience the music in their own way.

You’ve described your style as blending emotion, rhythm, and reflection. Can you unpack what that means?

When I say my style blends emotion, rhythm & reflection, what I am referring to is a kind of balance. The rhythm is the vibe, the movement. The emotions sometimes come from a real place, or it might be something fictional that made me feel that emotion, and the reflection is the message or the story I am telling

What influences (musical or otherwise) have shaped your sound the most?

I would say I have been influenced by R&B, Afrofusion & trap-soul. 

How does Lagos, with its distinctive vibe, influence your creative process?

It just keeps me on my toes; it doesn’t make me comfortable. It makes me think big, like “yo, I have to make it oo, in fact I am supposed to have made it since yesterday”. 

From your Pricelessay era to now, what would you say has changed most: your sound, your mindset, or both?

Definitely both.
 

Was there a particular moment or experience that pushed you to reintroduce yourself as TØDI OJ?

Like I said earlier, it was just a need to be more authentic, TODI OJ is short for OLUWATODIMU OGUNSANMI JAMAL, so it just felt more personal to go by that instead.

You’ve said music isn’t just about sound, it’s about feeling. What kind of feelings do you hope your listeners experience?

I want my listeners to feel something real: joy, love, courage. I want the music to push them to do the things they’re afraid of, to believe in their dreams, and to stay inspired. But beyond that, I want them to vibe, to enjoy the moment, and just feel alive through the sound.

What’s one emotion you always find yourself returning to when you write?

I can’t say there’s one particular emotion I always come back to, but I always try to be as honest as possible. Whether it’s a love song, a dance track, or something sad, I just aim to make it real and true to how I feel in that moment.

When people listen to TØDI OJ for the first time, what do you hope they remember?

I want people to remember the feeling. The honesty, the emotion, and that calm energy that runs through my sound. Even if it’s their first time listening, I want it to feel real, like something they can connect to on a deeper level.

What (or who) keeps you grounded outside of music?

I would say people, like my close friends and my team, and just knowing where I am coming from and where I am trying to get to.

What can we expect from your upcoming releases, sound-wise or story-wise?

Probably something different from what you’ve heard so far, we are moving more internationally.

Are there any artists you’d love to collaborate with in the future?

Yes. I would like to do something with Don Jazzy, Drake, Victony, Wizkid, and Bloody Civilian.

What kind of legacy or message do you want to build as you step into this new phase?

I would like my trajectory to inspire people. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.

Finally, finish this sentence: TØDI OJ is here to…

Stay.