Nigerian singer Tracy Tolota speaks on police brutality, her sophomore album

By William Osoro | 3yrs ago | 3 min read

**“The police unit was created to serve citizens, not intimidate or kill them." Photo: Courtesy.**

Tracy Tolota, a US-based Nigerian singer has lent her voice to the End SARS (Special Anti Robbery Squad) protests in Nigeria over police brutality. According to the mother of two, it unnerving when the police turn on the very people they’re sworn to protect.

“The police unit was created to serve citizens, not intimidate or kill them. What we’re witnessing in Nigeria is a result of years of oppression by the police. No matter your country, we should all stand up against extreme use of force by police officers,” she told Standard Entertainment and Lifestyle.

The protests in Nigeria came after a video of police officers from the SARS unit killing a man surfaced. The unit has since been disbanded but protestors have not backed down, demanding for more reforms in the police force.

Second album

Mrs Tolota also spoke about her soon-to-be-released sophomore album, Heaven’s Sound set. According to the Missouri-based worship leader, the album will be significantly different from her debut project titled Favor.

“I will drop Heaven’s Sound in a couple of months and I’ve already released several songs off the album including We Wait On You, Overcomer, Overflow featuring Prospa Ochimana and the most recent, I See Miracles which is a prophetic song,” she said.

Recounting her journey to being a worship leader, Mrs Tolota revealed that she started singing when 8-years-old in her father’s Christian Palace church in Edo State, Nigeria. In her 20s, she travelled to the U.S to further her education, joining the Christ For The Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas where she majored in Worship Leading and Practical Theology. After graduating, she started serving as a worship leader in several churches. In 2006, she wedded Pastor Julius Tolota and they have two daughters, Angel and Star Tolota aged 13 and 11 respectively. The couple also works together as Tracy’s husband is currently her manager and executive producer.

**Tolota started singing when 8-years-old in her father’s Christian Palace church in Edo State, Nigeria. Photo: Courtesy.**

COVID-19

The singer also admitted to being impacted by the coronavirus pandemic which has claimed over 1.1 million lives according to worldometer.

“It’s been a tough year but we thank God for keeping us and pray for all the dearly departed ones. Unfortunately, so many people have lost their lives and livelihoods to the pandemic. I had to shelve many plans I had for developing my music, you know whats they say- ‘Man wonders, God decides’” she said.

On how she keeps her family safe during the pandemic, she said, “I minimise my kid’s interactions and ensure there’s frequent handwashing and sanitising. Nobody’s leaving my house without a mask.”