Rhythmic powerhouse Oluwatobi Oyero wows audience with performance of Rema’s ‘Calm Down’

Tony Okuyeme

In the United Kingdom, he has performed at LOUD Concert in Sheffield, The Bliss Experience in Manchester, Heeleyero, also known by his stage name Toby Williams, with his masterful enactment of ‘Calm Down’ by Nigerian artiste, Rema.

‘Calm Down’ is a global Afrobeats hit released in February 2022, and detailing a courtship initiated at a party. The song, which features a prominent remix with Selena Gomez, became a viral sensation for its melodic, flirtatious lyrics about overcoming shyness and pursuing love. It holds records as the longest-charting African song on the Billboard Hot 100.

It says: “Another banger / Baby, calm down, calm down / Girl, this your body e put my heart for lockdown / For lockdown, oh, lockdown

“Girl, you sweet like Fanta o, Fanta o / If I tell you say I love you, no dey form / yanga o, oh, yanga o / No tell me no, no, no, no, whoa-whoa, whoa-whoa / Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh / Baby, come gimme your lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo, / whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa / You got me like, “Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa” / Shawty, come gimme your lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa, hmm.

“I see this fine girl for my party, she wear yellow / Every other girl, they dey do too much, but this girl mellow / Naim I dey find situation I go use take tell am hello / Finally, I find way to talk to the girl but / she no wan follow”

In his enactment of the ‘Calm Down’ before a select audience comprising music enthusiasts, critics, among others, Toby Williams captures these alluring lyrics with his bass guitar – a stringed instrument, usually with four heavy strings, that produces low-pitched notes, acting as a rhythmic and harmonic foundation in music. He brings his expertise and why he remains one of the leading bassists in the Nigerian music scene, especially Gospel music genre, to the fore.

A versatile and creative bassist with a passion for rhythm, beats, and harmony he can be described as a sonic architect – bridging the gap between rhythm and melody. As with most bassists, he treats it as a voice, capable of counter-melodies and creative, melodic basslines. Added to this, he plays with impeccable timing while creatively outlining chords, using inversions and passing tones to drive the song’s emotional feel.

But it is not just his exceptional skill as bassist, but also his ability to adapt to various genres of music with characteristic finesse. Added to this is his stage presence.

Thus, midway into the performance, the drummer had to pause his drumming briefly and began to clap, to the beat and rhythm of the song. Pronto, the enthusiastic audience joined with a standing ovation, clapping and singing along.

Oyero shows profound understanding of how to use volume and intensity to make the band sound better. A rhythmic powerhouse whose technical ability is matched by his artistic sensibility. He underscores the essence of a bassist, whose role is crucial for rhythm and harmony.

Widely known as a bassist on most Nigerian gospel songs, some of which include ‘Gbani Gbani’ by Tomisin Ade-Kolawole. Oyero has also held live performances with gospel artists, Tim Godfrey, Adedoyin Oseni, Moses Bliss, and Damilola Bekes.

Oyero hails from a musically inclined family: his father was a bassist, and his Mother and siblings were also singers. Growing up in the Alagbado Baptist Church, he began playing the drums at the age of 14, developing a passion for music. While playing for the same church, he later switched to a bass player developing a foundation in gospel, jazz, and reggae.

In 2013, Oluwatobi took part in a five-day music workshop organised by the Baptist Mission at Bowen University where his talent stood out, and he was awarded Best Bass Player.

Oyero holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Olabisi Onabanjo University and a master’s degree in marketing from Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom.

He began his professional career as a bassist in Nigeria, performing at several concerts before moving to the UK.

Oyero has performed across Nigeria and the United Kingdom, playing at live concerts alongside the likes of Big Bolaji, Tim Godfrey, Tosin Bee, Dare Justified, Adedoyin Oseni, Moses Bliss, Bukola Bekes, Damilola Bekes, IBK, and others.

He gained widespread recognition in the gospel music scene as the bassist on the following songs: ‘Gbani Gbani’ by Tomisin Ade Kolawole, his latest release ‘Victory Praise’, and ‘Praise Medley’ by Praise Ishola. In the United Kingdom, he has performed at LOUD Concert in Sheffield, The Bliss Experience in Manchester, Heeley Farm Festival 2025 in Sheffield among others.