Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing and this could not be closer to the truth for Barbadian-bred rapper and man of mystery THOTO. When an untimely death led to the end of a potential life in sport Thoto was thrust into the world of music and history was made. With his new EP, O.T.W.T, soon to rear its head, we had the chance to get beneath Thoto’s shroud of mystery…
UR: How did you get into music in the first place?
I used to play basketball. My coach had plans for me to go far, but when he passed away suddenly I knew my life had to change its course. My man Vin (now known as V!NTAGE) had these crazy beats. When he showed them to me I was in a dark place, knowing I had to give up on something that I loved, but with his help I soon realized I could have that same relationship with music.
UR: Did you have other goals/dreams if it wasn’t going to be music?
Ever since I was a kid I was playing ball, growing up in an urban area it was common for playing professionally to be the end goal. Now I love making music as much as I love the game.
UR: How do you spend most of your spare time outside of music?
For me there is no time outside of music. I’m constantly learning and constantly creating.
I also spend time helping my close friends with their endeavours and start-ups.
UR: If you could share the stage with a deceased music star who would it be and why?
Lord Infamous. He could teach me many lessons from that one experience. I wouldn’t be satisfied with just one performance, as that is someone I greatly respect and I wish I could spend a substantial amount of time with, at least a couple months.
UR: What’s your method for discovering new music?
My method for discovering new music is simple… Be open minded.
UR: What did you learn about yourself as a person and as a musician from writing O.T.W.T
Through the writing process I learned that there are more chapters in my book than I realized. I learned that the more I experiment with life the more life is going to give me in return.
UR: On your previous hit single ‘Villains’, there’s definitely some influences from the world of rock music, would you say this carries across to your new tracks?
While each track has different influences, I would say some rock influence definitely comes across in this EP, but I would rather let the listeners decide for themselves.
O.T.W.T is available everywhere soon! For now be sure to connect with Thoto below: