Tofa Jaxx is Changing the Game, One Single at a Time

Last week, Tofa Jaxx blessed our consciouses with the release of his latest single Changed The Game. The single is featured as part of the soundtrack to Nyara - The Kidnapping, a Tanzanian action film which premiered in February. This heartfelt, afro-folk tune translates like the sequel to his introspective EP, A Guy Like Me, released earlier this year. 

Tofa’s poetic lyricism breathes life into his struggles without mimicking the cliched tropes of a troubled artist. At first listen, the narrative arch of the song seems bleak as Tofa reveals that “with all [his] hopes in hand, At times [he] saw no end”. Yet, the climax of the chorus ushers a renewed sense of hope when he implores listeners to “help [him] write [his] story, [he’s] gonna find a page, mark [his] victory. At the song’s conclusion, Tofa grounds himself as an artist that isn't starved for inspiration, instead, he’s hungry for victory/inner peace.

With the success of his sophomore album and the promise of this single under his belt, Tofa’s dynamism has resulted in a refreshing unpredictability. Under the Western eye, the Tanzanian music scene consists of a collage of Bongo, Taarab and Afropop. This single serves as a solid start in Tofa’s mission to create visibility for alternative Tanzanian artists like himself. The rest is still unwritten.