TOOFAN : THE TOP-NOTCH TOGOLESE DUO

Toofan is a popular music duo from Togo, West Africa, consisting of two brothers, Barabas whose real name goes as Blaise Mensah Ayaho and Masta whose real name is Fatowou Kossivi Sourou. This musical duo was founded in 2005 in Togo and has been existing till date. They are known for their energetic and catchy music style, which combines elements of Afrobeat, hip-hop, and dancehall.

Barabas and Masta were born and raised in Lomé, the capital city of Togo. From a young age, they were exposed to various genres of music and developed a passion for performing. When growing up, they had a group which consisted of three people. Barabas was the rapper of the group and was given the name “Le Magicien”, Masta Just was the mixer of the group and lastly was All-one whose real name is Akue Goeh Adote, who was the singer and mixer.

Later on, All-One decided to pursue his academic career and decided to leave the group and became a solo artist. With this change, Barabas and Masta came together to form TOOFAN. They created a musical style called “Ogbragada” which is a combination of Rap and Urban music.

In the early 2000s, Toofan emerged onto the music scene with their unique sound and electrifying performances. They quickly gained popularity in Togo and began to attract attention from across Africa. Their first single, “Epervier Ogbragada”, released in 2005, to support the national football team of Togo. It was a huge success and established them as one of the leading music acts in the region. It was followed with the footsteps of “Epervier 2006”, which was still in honor of their team who had qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Due to this, they released their first album entitled “Obragada 2006”. The song remained on every Togolese fan’s lip and it became their hymn. In October 2007, they launched another single entitled “Parlé , Parlé” which soon became a real hit.

After that success, they launched a second album called “Confirmation” in which they organised a big concert at the Palais des Congrès in Lomé and inivited lots of renowned artists like; Magic System and many others. Toofan started to make waves in Togo, and in 2009, a third album “Carte de Visite” was recorded and they started performing abroad in countries like; France, Côte D’ivoire, they also performed at the Kora Awards and had a US tour in 8 states.

By 2010, they returned to Paris as a supporting act for Fally Ipupa at the Zenith Venue.

Toofan’s music is characterized by its infectious beats, catchy melodies, and relatable lyrics. They often sing about love, partying, and social issues, resonating with a wide audience. Their energetic stage presence and choreographed dance routines have also become a trademark of their live performances.

Over the years, Toofan has released several albums and singles that have topped charts in Togo and other African countries. Some of their most popular songs include “Apero”, “Gweta”, “Téré Téré”, “Yé Mama”, “Gbessi Gbeko”, “Money”, “Come on Man”, “Orobo”, “My Girl” ft Patoranking, and many others in which they released and it got them lots of fans and admirers. They have collaborated with various artists from Africa and beyond, further expanding their reach and influence.

Due to their very entertaining singles, they have had several nominations and awards like Kora Awards, KUNDE d’Or, and many more which boosted them to keep their audience way up and never be bored with their singles.

In addition to their musical success, Toofan has also been recognized for their philanthropic efforts. They have been involved in various charitable initiatives in Togo, focusing on education, healthcare, and youth empowerment.

Toofan continue to be at the forefront of African music, captivating audiences with their vibrant performances and infectious music. They have toured extensively across Africa and have also performed in Europe, North America, and the Caribbean. With their unique blend of genres, and their commitment to creating uplifting music, Toofan has become an iconic duo in the African music industry.

Delia Nyadi