Tobe Nwigwe has a big year ahead of him. He just released his latest single, “On My Soul,” with Nas and Jacob Banks for the new film that he also stars in, Transformers: Rise of the Beast. The eccentric Houston rapper has had multiple breakout years, widening his exposure in hip hop while collaborating with high-profile artists. His repertoire continues to grow as he now transitions into acting.
Nwigwe is quite active, releasing five full-length compilations of loose singles released during his Get Twisted Sundays music series, and also has multiple EPs and live recordings. Everywhere you see Tobe Nwigwe, you see his wife, Martica “Fat” Nwigwe, who appears alongside Tobe in his songs, in his music videos, and at his live shows. With the help of his wife, Tobe Nwigwe has slowly become one of hip hop’s latest exciting artists that have carved his own lane.
Keeping It In The Family
Tobe Nwigwe and his wife Fat have been together since the start of his career and now have four children together. Their friend and producer, LaNell Grant, was one of their longtime collaborators, producing most of Tobe’s beats before they parted ways in 2022. On every single cover from their Originals music series, Fat and LaNell appear on the cover, as well as in every music video. The outro track on one of his breakout albums, Fouriginals, is titled “For Family Only” and features commentary from Tobe, Fat, and their loved ones. With his wife, children, and close friends by his side, family is clearly an essential part of who Tobe is, and a key component of his musical identity.
A Signature Sound & Look
Aside from the family aspect of his music, Tobe Nwigwe’s sound and look set him apart from his contemporaries. His image and signature sound are distinct, as one can see in his music videos and live performances, and in the actual music itself. Musically, he takes inspiration from his Nigerian heritage. Tobe Nwigwe also continues the lineage of traditional Southern rap, paying homage to his hometown of Houston and collaborating with many iconic Southern artists. Religion also plays a major part in Tobe’s sound as he incorporates his Christian faith into his lyrics.
The family has developed their brand and image with the color mint as they consistently wear it in music videos and performances. The artists featured in their music videos also stick to the style of clothing as Tobe brings his guests into his musical world. The visuals are an important part of Tobe Nwigwe’s career, as his videos display his unique artistry.
Pandemic Breakthrough
With each Originals album release, Tobe Nwigwe has grown in popularity but reached new heights during the pandemic. His song, “I Need You To (Breonna Taylor),” went viral in 2020 during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests as the song advocates for the arrest of Breonna Taylor’s killers. The song was a part of his Pandemic Project, which also consisted of one of his most popular songs, “Try Jesus.” These viral moments led to numerous cosigns and collaborations from many notable hip hop artists, including Royce Da 5’9”, Black Thought, Bun B, and Big K.R.I.T. These rappers appeared alongside Tobe Nwigwe and his wife on Cincoriginals, his biggest album to date.
Tobe Nwigwe’s Recent Mainstream Success
Following Cincoriginals and several other collaborations and cosigns, Tobe Nwigwe has reached a new level of notoriety. He has performed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, an NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, and various festivals, including Coachella and Pharrell’s Something in the Water Festival. Nwigwe was also nominated for Best New Artist at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
Furthermore, he also contributed a song to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. The recent success of Tobe Nwigwe has led to him branching outside of music, landing roles in the Netflix series Mo and the new Transformers: Rise of the Beast film, which includes his latest single with Nas on the soundtrack. Tobe Nwigwe and his wife have also recently collaborated with Pharrell, CeeLo Green, and 2 Chainz.
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