It’s not uncommon for artists to release music for the holiday/Christmas season. Tracks like Tunde Ednut’s ‘Jingle Bell’, Ovation Red Carol 2011 theme song, and of course, Mariah Carey’s ‘All I want for Christmas Is You’ always return to the airwaves every December. Similarly, songs like ‘Odun Lo Sopin’ and Jaywon’s and Victor Thompson’s ‘This Year’ enjoy spikes in streams as the year winds down and resets.
However, it is rare to see a contemporary Nigerian artiste release a song for the holy month of Ramadan. Tolibian is shifting this narrative. His 2024 release, ‘Ramadan’ was the soundtrack of this year’s fasting season. Driven by an aggressive TikTok campaign, co-signs from Wizkid, Don Jazzy & Zlatan, and a remix with Odumodublvck & BOJ, ‘Ramadan’ is now Tolibian’s most streamed song on Spotify.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the record, Tolibian shared, ‘I wanted to create something that celebrates the essence of Ramadan in a way that feels modern and relatable.
This is not Tolibian’s first foray into culturally-themed music. In 2021, the artist released ‘Abaya’ ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir (Ileya) festivities. Both the original and its subsequent remix has since garnered over 1.2 Million streams on Spotify alone. While it’s tempting to think the success of ‘Abaya’ directly influenced the making of ‘Ramadan’, Tolibian offers a different perspective: “Abaya showed me that music with cultural depth could have a strong impact. But ‘Ramadan’ was more about making something meaningful and timeless.”
In this interview, we speak to Tolibian about his creative process and inspiration, and the importance of making culturally significant records.
If you could feature an artist on the remix of ‘Ramadan,’ who would it be?
I’d love to feature an artist who understands the spiritual and cultural essence of the song, someone like Burna Boy or Sauti Sol to bring a unique global vibe to it.
Your song “Ramadan” is started to pop again after your TikTok posts. What motivated you to start promoting it so aggressively on the platform?
I saw how much people connected with the song last year, and I knew it had the potential to resonate again. TikTok is a powerful tool, so I decided to maximize it.
What was your thought process behind releasing a song that’s tied to the Muslim fasting season?
I wanted to create something that celebrates the essence of Ramadan in a way that feels modern and relatable. The response has been beyond my expectations, and I’m grateful.
Did the success of ‘Abaya’ influence the creation of this song?
Not directly, but it showed me that music with cultural depth can have a strong impact. ‘Ramadan’ was more about making something meaningful and timeless.
How do you feel about the resurgence of “Ramadan” now that it’s gaining attention again? Was it something you planned for, or did it come as a surprise?
It’s a mix of both. I believed in the song’s longevity, but seeing it organically take off again is a blessing.
How important do you think it is for artists to align their music with specific cultural or religious events, and do you plan to continue exploring themes like this in your music?
It depends on authenticity. If an artist connects with a theme deeply, it makes sense to express it. I’ll always make music that reflects my experiences and beliefs.
Will you be leaning into trends or cultural moments like this more in the future?
If it feels right and aligns with my sound and message, absolutely.
What can we expect from Tolibian for the rest of the year?
More music, more collaborations, and bigger creative projects. I’m just getting started.
TikTok seems to play a huge role in driving songs to go viral. Was there a specific strategy you followed in your posts that you think contributed to the song’s second wave of success?
I focused on engagement—using creative visuals, starting challenges, and making the song part of relatable moments people could share.
What do you hope people take away from the resurgence of “Ramadan” on TikTok, and how do you think this will influence your journey as an artist moving forward?
I hope it reminds people that good music is timeless. It also reinforces my belief in consistency and creative marketing.
Do you feel pressured to maintain a certain image now that “Ramadan” is big in religious spaces?
Not really. I just stay true to myself and let my work speak for itself.
If TikTok hadn’t revived “Ramadan,” would you still be pushing it?
Definitely. A good song deserves continuous promotion, and I believe in giving music time to find its full audience.
Some Muslims feel the song commercializes a sacred period. How do you respond?
I understand the concern, but my intention was always to celebrate Ramadan in a way that connects with people positively. Music is a form of expression, and this song is my way of honoring the season.
How did the Ramadan Kareem collab with Odumodu and BOJ come about?
Odumodu reached out to me via DM and the rest is history.
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