Toye Aru

Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. Toye Aru is a multi-talented audiovisual artist, a budding African filmmaker, and a record producer. As a collaborator in the music industry, his work can be found in Lady Donli and Kida Kudz's critically acclaimed single Classic (2018), Illbliss Illy Chapo X Album, Zamir, and Tay Iwar's funky tune Pretend (2021), and many others. His style combines electronic and live instrumentation fostering experimentalism with an atmospheric and alternative take on music. His shadowy presence and overall musical dexterity usually make for heightened and fulfilled expectations on each of his tracks. He released his debut record as an artist "Freedom Riddim" (2019), the track features elements of EDM and is meant to represent emotions of liberation and motivation. His production on the song invades the natural world, building the rattling samples, synth lines, percussion, and drum riffs around a melodic chant that listen like a call to dance, mate, fight, or some other carnal activity. Additionally, he is an experienced film producer with a demonstrated history of working in the broadcast media industry. He acquired his Master of Fine Arts degree in Cinematography from the prestigious New York Film Academy photographing numerous short films and music video projects where he also served as the music producer. A young Nigerian who believes he can make a difference; he is exploring the convergence of film, music, and media, crafting a niche for himself.