Toosii on Being an Empath, Social Change & New Hit "Mercedez"

Jun 22

Signed to South Coast Music Group (the label that catalyzed DaBaby’s rise as one of music’s biggest breakout stars in recent years), Toosii’s heart and grind are unmatched. The 20-year-old New York native has consistently turned heads with his melodic flow and autobiographical storytelling, demonstrating his willingness to pour unguarded emotion into every song. His debut studio album ’Platinum Heart’ picks up on this sentiment, as the self-described empath and loner finds emotional release in the creative process.

Toosii recently rolled through for a Hype Off Life exclusive, right before the release of his new hit, "Mercedez". Continuing the love story found in “Love Cycle”, the new video already has over 1.5 million views and 70k YouTube likes since it’s June 12th release, further proving that people want to hear what Toosii has to say.

Learn more of his story in this exclusive interview, where Toosii gets into finding inspiration in his brother’s music, his deal with South Coast Music Group, living as a Black man in America, and what we must do to keep the momentum going. Tune in below and catch up with Hip Hop’s next rising star: Toosii.

Photo credit: Andrew Thomas Carroll

Your rise to the top might seem sudden for some, but you've been at it for a minute. How'd you get your start in music?

Honestly, I started off playing sports. Music was something that I had planned in mind. But honestly, anything my brother wanted to do... You know, my brother and my peoples, I looked up to them. So, my brother was making music. And that's how I started making music.

Which artists influenced you the most while growing up?

My brother did. I never used to really listen to other artists.

What's your brother's name and what type of music did he make?

His name is Dranno. He made real music. I guess you could say real music, struggle music.

How'd your deal with South Coast Music Group come about?

Arnold was calling all around the town asking about me, and I didn't know who he was, and you know finally one day we just sat down, got to it. And once we got to it everything just came into fruition.

So, you just released the deluxe edition of your debut album, "Platinum Heart". What's the meaning behind its title?

So, with 'Platinum Heart' I just felt like my heart was platinum before the music. You know, any way that people, treated me before, I always wanted them to treat me like the first day they met me, you know? So, if you treated me wrong the first day we met, we stay like that. You know, 'cause my heart was platinum before the music. So, now it's time for the music to go platinum.

"Love Cycle" from the album is pretty popular with over 2 million YouTube plays. What inspired the track and visual?

I wanted the visuals to lead into each other. So, tomorrow we're dropping the video for "Mercedez". And I just wanted the two to correlate and be like one big movie. So, with the track when I was recording the track, honestly I was in the room with my homeboys when I recorded the track... It was just another day making music, and the track just came out crazy. When it was time to shoot the video, I wanted it to be like a movie. So, we turned it into a full script.

Oh, so you shot both parts during the same time?

Yeah, we shot we shot "Mercedez" and "Love Cycle" at the same time.

That's dope. You have described yourself as you've described yourself as an empath. How does that reflecting your music?

It allowed me to be able to adapt to my surroundings and understand other people's problems. That way, when I'm making music my narrative is not only about me. So, it just helped me adapt to other people's feelings.

Speaking of being in tune with other people's feelings, how do you feel about the current events as a black man living in America?

Honestly, it's hard being a black man in America. Being that is hard being a black man in America. We've been fighting this for 400 plus years, you know, and the only thing that I could do, being in the type of position that I'm in is try to set a better example for the generation that's coming behind me.

What else do you think we should do or continue doing to incite change?

Stay active. People tend to get lazy and people tend to allow things to blow over. I believe in consistency. So, if we just stay consistent and stay strong in numbers, I believe there will be a change.

Where do you see yourself and your career five years from now?

Five years from now... honestly, I'm trying to be somewhere kicked up, investing in real estate. I'm going to always make music, but I want multiple sources of income if you know what I'm saying. So, I see myself somewhere kicked up, investing in real estate, and droppin' when need be.

How do you define success?

I define success as happiness. Because people want to succeed in different aspects. I don't believe in L's. I believe that every L was a lesson. In life, everybody's point of succeeding is different. So, I define success as happiness. Those two words correlate too.