Norwegian-Nigerian artist Tolou lit up Los Angeles with a soulful, intimate performance of her new single “Energy”, her first major release of 2025.
The private showcase, held over the weekend, drew a small but lively crowd of friends, creatives, and industry insiders who came to celebrate the 27-year-old’s latest offering, a sensual, melodic fusion of Afrobeats and Scandinavian pop.
Sharing clips from the night on Instagram, Tolou wrote, “Life after releasing Energy. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate my release!! Keep streaming it.” Her caption, simple yet heartfelt, mirrored the grounded, authentic spirit that has made her one of the most intriguing emerging voices from the Afro-Scandinavian music scene.
Tolou
Tolou
Released on October 3, 2025, “Energy” is a hypnotic slow-burner, a rhythmic confession that balances northern melancholy with Afro warmth. Her smooth vocals glide over percussive beats as she croons,
“I want it, I feel it, so freaky, and I need it… I’m on it, you see it, so spin it and repeat it.”
The lyrics capture the tension between desire and self-control, a theme Tolou delivers with elegant vulnerability. Describing herself as an “Afro-Scandinavian pop girlie”, she effortlessly merges the cold serenity of Norway’s soundscape with the fiery pulse of Lagos nightlife.
Born in Tromsø, the world’s northernmost city, to a Nigerian father and Norwegian mother, Tolou has long embraced her multicultural identity as her superpower. Her artistry is an intricate blend of Scandi pop minimalism, African rhythm, and soul-inspired storytelling.
In interviews, Tolou often reminisces about creating music on the living room floor with her mother, an image that beautifully contrasts with the global appeal she now commands. Her journey from Norway’s icy mountains to Los Angeles’ vibrant stages reflects the evolution of a true global artist.
Tolou’s efforts are a beacon of inspiration, proving that one does not have to choose a single identity but can powerfully occupy a space between worlds. Her success is a shower of accolades for every Nigerian forging a path abroad and a powerful validation of the Afrobeats genre’s ability to evolve and integrate with any musical landscape.
With “Energy”, Tolou continues to define her lane in a world where cross-cultural expression reigns supreme. It’s sensual, reflective, and deeply human, a song that pulses with life, longing, and self-assured confidence.
