Jainy’s ‘TOSOM’ EP Moves Beyond the Polished Surface Into Vulnerability

Nigerian singer Jainy has released a new EP titled TOSOM, a project she describes as a deeper, more emotionally layered follow-up to her earlier work, The Real Jainy. Where her previous release served as an introduction, this latest body of work aims to reveal the parts of a person often kept hidden from public view.

“The Real Jainy was my introduction. It was me saying, ‘Hi, this is Jainy,’” she explained. “TOSOM is a more evolved and confident version of that girl. It also goes deeper emotionally. It explores vulnerability and all the different sides of ourselves that we sometimes hide because we’re afraid of judgement or public opinion.”

A Message of Strength in ‘Girl Power’

One of the EP’s standout tracks, “Girl Power,” carries a message about women in decision-making roles. Jainy says the song was inspired by the women she has observed throughout her life, including her late grandmother, her mother, and her boss.

“I see women balancing so much, careers, families, responsibilities, dreams, while still dealing with their own trials and challenges. And somehow, they keep going,” she said. “That’s the energy behind ‘Girl Power.’ It’s about recognising that strength and celebrating women taking up space and owning who they are.” She added that she views the song as bigger than just a track, expressing a desire to use her platform to uplift other girls and women in the future.

Early Musical Roots

Jainy traces her musical beginnings to primary school Friday concerts, where the joy of performing and the reaction of the audience planted the seed for a professional career. Her early listening was a blend of pop, highlife, and Afrobeats, shaped by artists including:

• Rihanna
• Beyoncé
• Angélique Kidjo
• Tiwa Savage
• Becca
• Ebony

She credits these women, each with a strong artistic identity, for inspiring her to find her own voice. “Listening to so many different women with such strong identities helped shape my confidence and made me want to find my own identity as an artist,” she said.

Creative Process and Evolution

Jainy’s songwriting process varies with her mood. “Sometimes a melody comes first, sometimes it’s a lyric, and other times it’s just a feeling I’m trying to express,” she said. “I don’t like forcing it into one particular formula. I just follow whatever comes naturally in that moment and build from there.”

As the eldest of four sisters, Jainy describes herself as a protective and loving big sister, a role that brings both stress and joy. She also noted that her mindset has shifted since she began making music professionally. “I’m still very much Jainy, but my work ethic and the way I approach my career have changed. I’m more intentional now. There’s a different level of hunger and discipline because I really want to see how far I can take this.”

She sees carrying the Afrobeats sound globally as an honour. “Music is one of the most powerful ways we communicate culture, so the fact that I can tell my stories while still carrying a sound that represents home is something I’m really proud of.”