Nigerianborn musiciansongwriter Tolzee hopes a new song he has released for Canada Day will help younger Nigerians fall in love with the Canadian national anthem. "I believe it's easy to learn things when it's in melodies and rhythms," Tolzee said on CBC KitchenerWaterloo'sThe Morning Edition. Releasing a new song on Canada Day has become an annual tradition for the musician, since 2020. This year's is titledO Canada: amapiano version. "The theme for this year's song is: we're going back to the Canadian anthem itself because the first year, 2020, was the Canadian anthem and we infused some African beats into it," he said. "So the AfricanNigerian community, they were able to relate with that. This year, we're going back to that but we're making it an amapiano style. Amapiano is a music style that originated from South Africa," he added. "I just wanted to appeal to the younger generation like the Gen Z, the youth, because they love amapiano a lot.". Tolzee collaborated with his eightyearold daughter Morolake to produce the songs, saying the experience has helped her discover her strength. "We did it in 2020 and it was a huge success, and since then, you know, she's never looked back," he said. For Morolake, working with her father makes her happy because she gets to spend more time with him. "I like that we sometimes get to go to different places that we've never been to before in Canada. So it's really fun," Morolake said. She hopes that by listening to the songs, people will learn "Canada is a good place they could come to.". Tolzee said that as soon as he releases one song, he begins thinking about what the one for the following year should be. He said there's a theme and goals for each year. "The first year was just strictly the Canadian anthem. The second one, I wanted people to learn the provinces and their capital, so I did that. "The third year was just like a prayer for Canada, showing the diversity and inclusivity, that it's a country that just accommodates people from different backgrounds.". Tolzee said the response from the local Nigerian community has been great. "The first year, a lot of people reached out and said they were able to learn the Canadian anthem better, because it was, like, a kind of rhythm that you're used to, so they could relate to it. "So their kids were able to sing along with them and they could dance. And before they knew it, so many of them that were trying to prepare for their citizenship in 2020 said they used that song to learn the anthem.". Tolzee said for Canada Day, people should "go out, have fun, play the song and dance a little.". Web Writer  Editor. Desmond Brown is a GTAbased freelance writer and editor. You can reach him at: desmond.browncbc.ca. With files from The Morning Edition. Audience Relations, CBCP.O. Box 500 Station AToronto, ONCanada, M5W 1E6. Tollfree Canada only:18663064636. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered onCBC Gem.
Nigerian musician Tolzee released a new song, O Canada: amapiano version, for Canada Day to help younger Nigerians appreciate the Canadian national anthem. He collaborates with his daughter Morolake on the song annually, aiming to connect with the younger generation through music. The song incorporates African beats and amapiano style, appealing to Gen Z and highlighting themes like diversity and inclusivity in Canada. Tolzee's initiatives have received positive feedback from the local Nigerian community, with many using his music to learn the Canadian anthem and prepare for citizenship.