When I first read the words “Afro-Scandi pop,” I couldn’t help but be intrigued. How is that going to work exactly? Will it even work at all in the first place? Fortunately, Tolou’s vision and talents are both so strong that it doesn’t take very long for the proposal to land and hook you in with her unique energy, and that’s precisely what she named her debut album.
“Energy” is made up of twelve tracks moving between pop, soul, gospel, and Afro rhythms, none of it feeling like fusion because nothing needed fusing. She calls it Afro-Scandi pop.
Rooted in classical training across opera and jazz and raised leading church choirs, Tolou was discovered by Wyclef Jean in one of those choirs. During lockdown, she taught herself production until the vivid sounds in her head could finally take shape. Influences peek through—Frank Ocean, Burna Boy, Robyn—but they’re signposts, not the destination.
The point is the title. Energy. What you carry. What you let in. Tolou calls the album a cleanse, a way back to what actually matters, and you believe her because nothing here strains.
You call your sound “Afro-Scandi Pop.” What helped you conceptualize and synthesize this blend? Any inspirations and references to point to?
It really grew out of who I am—two cultures living inside one body. On one hand, I was raised with the pulse of African music, the rhythm, the storytelling, the soul. Artists like Wizkid, Burna, and Fela gave me my roots. On the other hand, Northern Norway gave me silence, space, and this haunting kind of beauty. I think that’s where the softness and melancholy come in. Afro-Scandi Pop, to me, is what happens when warmth meets stillness… It’s a blend I didn’t invent—I grew into it naturally.
You have called the album a coming-of-age story. Which track feels like the pivotal chapter where you truly understood yourself?
Definitely “Unwind.” That was the moment I stopped hiding. It’s about letting my light spill out without apology—the softness, the sensuality, the joy. As women, we’re often told to tuck those parts away. But that song was me saying, No more shrinking. I’m allowed to be gentle and powerful, playful and grounded. That track was like giving myself a permission slip to be all of me.
Beyond sound, what does Afro-Scandi Pop represent for you as a way of moving through the world?
Freedom. It’s a way of being that says contrast doesn’t have to cancel itself out—it can dance. I don’t need to choose between this or that, soft or strong, sensual or spiritual. I can be all of it. Afro-Scandi is about trusting your full self, even the parts that seem like opposites, and making harmony from them. That’s how I live.
Stepping into full creative control during the pandemic was a profound shift. How has that changed the way you approach collaboration now?
Whew—it changed everything. That season made me sit still with my own voice. No noise, no distractions, just me. I learned to trust my instincts, even the quiet ones. So now when I collaborate, I don’t come in trying to prove anything. I come in already rooted, already clear. It’s not about approval; it’s about creative exchange.
If Energy is meant to function as an energy cleanse, where is that cleansing most potent?
It starts right at the beginning with the title track, “Energy.” That song is a ritual. It’s me calling in what I want, clearing out what I don’t. Then the whole album kind of unfolds like my inner diary—full of doubt, light, softness, strength, and finally, peace. By the time we get to “Coco,” it’s like exhaling into self-love. That’s where the cleanse lands for me—in the return to self.
From “Coco” to now, how has the confidence you sing about evolved?
Mmm, back then, I had confidence that came from spark. Now it comes from depth. Life humbled me a bit; it broke me in places I didn’t expect. But I found God in those moments. I found grace. Now my confidence feels quieter, more anchored. It’s not loud, but it’s unshakeable. I don’t need to be seen to know I’m real.
Working with legends like Tricky Stewart is a major collaboration. What did you take away from that experience?
What struck me most was how sacred the space felt. Tricky created this atmosphere where everyone could just be… honest. No ego, no tension. Just flow. He’s intentional, like spiritually intentional—and that reminded me how important the energy in a room is. When the vibe is right, the music just breathes.
Your classical training is a unique layer. Does it still consciously inform your process?
It’s in the background, like muscle memory. Classical training gave me discipline, breath control, and a deep respect for the voice as an instrument. But now I let it whisper rather than lead. It gave me the map, and now I wander freely. It’s like… I know the rules well enough to break them beautifully.
You move between music, acting, and fashion. Are these separate canvases or the same frequency?
One frequency, just different textures. Music is the heartbeat. Fashion is how I dress the feeling. Acting is me stepping into different versions of myself. It all comes from the same river. I just shift how I pour it.
What kind of acting roles are you drawn to?
Ooh, the weird ones! I love characters who surprise you—women who are layered, messy, mysterious, and strong in quiet ways. I’m always pulled toward stories that expand what femininity can look like. More magic, less stereotypes.
What’s up next for Tolou?
Honestly? Play. I introduced myself with “Energy”—now I want to stretch. Get weirder. Get louder. Or softer. Collaborate with people who make me feel something. I’m in this season of curiosity… letting my art grow in whatever direction it wants. The foundation is laid; now I’m just dancing on top of it.
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The post THE FREQUENCY IS HERS: TOLOU ARRIVES WITH “ENERGY” AND SHE’S NOT SHRINKING FOR ANYONE appeared first on LADYGUNN.
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