01Profile
A Tora-i Photo
Tora-i
Musician — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Tora-i, London.
What do you do?
I’m an artist.
Describe your style in three words?
Comfortable, colourful, weather-dependent.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Primavera 2019, technically not a gig but this year was the best line-up. It was literally most of my favourite artists in one space. Usually, I prefer actual gigs rather than festivals as I like being surrounded by genuine fans but Primavera brought together a crowd that created a really warm atmosphere. Every time I see Solange is a celebration but watching her amongst black people?!! Top tier. Seeing Rosalia amongst Spanish people was super special too. Also, the cleanest festival I’ve ever seen.
If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
As a fan, witnessing Prince and Whitney Houston live would be the pinnacle. As an artist, performing with someone like Jordan Rakei would be amazing.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
In retrospect being bombarded with so many opinions so early from a site like Twitter probably wasn’t the best place for me to be. At school I was the “minority” so it was good to find this bubble of like-minded creative black women from all corners of the world. From them, I learned about basic Black feminist theory which allowed me to do my own research and also know that it wasn’t only me with these thoughts and feelings. I still think Twitter is a cesspit but I guess it did something.
Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
The Ivy House in Peckham back in 2018 is a performance I’ve always remembered because that’s when I could hear the development in myself and my band at the time.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Chad Hugo. Pharrell was obviously the face of The Neptunes but it couldn’t have been what it was without the both of them.
Tora-i recently released her new track 'PBFF'. Listen, purchase or stream it via tora-i.ffm.to/pbff.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Someone Like You' by Adele, but really the whole '21' album. The end of primary school really had me going through it!
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Gold' by A2 (album version). This song reminds me of a time when I would live on Soundcloud and being on there opened me up to so many things. For one, music didn’t feel like this gated community, anyone could upload anything and it didn’t have to be these highly structured perfect songs. These “demos” still had the ability to resonate with so many people. “The best song wasn’t the single, but you weren’t either” actualised. But anyway, seeing 'Gold' performed live at Koko in 2018 is also one of my greatest gig memories, grown men passionately screeching along to sad love songs, openly being vulnerable. *insert Micheal Jackson meme* “I love this song!”
One record you would keep forever?
This was definitely the hardest question; I never rank the significance an album has had on me. Once it’s touched me, they’re with me forever and so many albums have a place in my heart for varying reasons. This was a very long-winded way of saying I’m indecisive and I can’t pick.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"Both our hands are filthy pointing up at the moon and tonight I’ll hold you close, close enough to prove.”
From 'Wither' by Frank Ocean.
A song you wished you had written?
'River' by Joni Mitchell.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Countin' Up' by Rico Nasty.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Man a di least' by Lady Saw or 'Millionaire' by Kelis ft Andre 3000.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Pink + White' by Frank Ocean in the back of the Bolt as the sun rises.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I don’t have any “guilty pleasure” music, music is music.
Any new music you are into at the moment?
A few new artists that I like are Emil, Shamiya Battles and Planet Giza.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Tora-i, London.
What do you do?
I’m an artist.
Describe your style in three words?
Comfortable, colourful, weather-dependent.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Primavera 2019, technically not a gig but this year was the best line-up. It was literally most of my favourite artists in one space. Usually, I prefer actual gigs rather than festivals as I like being surrounded by genuine fans but Primavera brought together a crowd that created a really warm atmosphere. Every time I see Solange is a celebration but watching her amongst black people?!! Top tier. Seeing Rosalia amongst Spanish people was super special too. Also, the cleanest festival I’ve ever seen.
If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
As a fan, witnessing Prince and Whitney Houston live would be the pinnacle. As an artist, performing with someone like Jordan Rakei would be amazing.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
In retrospect being bombarded with so many opinions so early from a site like Twitter probably wasn’t the best place for me to be. At school I was the “minority” so it was good to find this bubble of like-minded creative black women from all corners of the world. From them, I learned about basic Black feminist theory which allowed me to do my own research and also know that it wasn’t only me with these thoughts and feelings. I still think Twitter is a cesspit but I guess it did something.
Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
The Ivy House in Peckham back in 2018 is a performance I’ve always remembered because that’s when I could hear the development in myself and my band at the time.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Chad Hugo. Pharrell was obviously the face of The Neptunes but it couldn’t have been what it was without the both of them.
Tora-i recently released her new track 'PBFF'. Listen, purchase or stream it via tora-i.ffm.to/pbff.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Someone Like You' by Adele, but really the whole '21' album. The end of primary school really had me going through it!
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Gold' by A2 (album version). This song reminds me of a time when I would live on Soundcloud and being on there opened me up to so many things. For one, music didn’t feel like this gated community, anyone could upload anything and it didn’t have to be these highly structured perfect songs. These “demos” still had the ability to resonate with so many people. “The best song wasn’t the single, but you weren’t either” actualised. But anyway, seeing 'Gold' performed live at Koko in 2018 is also one of my greatest gig memories, grown men passionately screeching along to sad love songs, openly being vulnerable. *insert Micheal Jackson meme* “I love this song!”
One record you would keep forever?
This was definitely the hardest question; I never rank the significance an album has had on me. Once it’s touched me, they’re with me forever and so many albums have a place in my heart for varying reasons. This was a very long-winded way of saying I’m indecisive and I can’t pick.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"Both our hands are filthy pointing up at the moon and tonight I’ll hold you close, close enough to prove.”
From 'Wither' by Frank Ocean.
A song you wished you had written?
'River' by Joni Mitchell.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Countin' Up' by Rico Nasty.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Man a di least' by Lady Saw or 'Millionaire' by Kelis ft Andre 3000.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Pink + White' by Frank Ocean in the back of the Bolt as the sun rises.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I don’t have any “guilty pleasure” music, music is music.
Any new music you are into at the moment?
A few new artists that I like are Emil, Shamiya Battles and Planet Giza.