Irish-Nigerian artist Tolü Makay returns with War, a defiant new single out April 29, 2025. A soul-stirring cry of resistance against fear, silence, and self-doubt. Known for her emotionally charged voice and poignant storytelling, Makay now dives into deeper, darker territory with a sound that is both raw and empowering.
“WAR began as a poem. I had just returned from a gathering at the London Irish Centre, where women shared stories of how Sinéad O’Connor gave voice to the voiceless, often at great personal cost. That night, overwhelmed by emotion and collective grief, I found myself reflecting deeply”, Makay shares.
“The poem evolved into a song about the internal battles we face shame, fear, guilt, silence and how they mirror the systems and injustices around us. WAR is a reclamation of power. A whisper that can be heard over an army. It’s for those who feel small, but know they must speak first for themselves, and eventually for others. This song is my first step.”
With pulsing drums, haunting harmonies, and a sense of urgency that simmers just beneath the surface, War marks a new chapter for Makay — one that explores what it means to reclaim your voice and fight for yourself from the inside out.
War also sets the tone for her upcoming EP due later this year — a project exploring resilience during life’s brightest seasons, when public joy masks private pain. The EP follows her critically acclaimed single My Eyes Are Open and builds upon her reputation for truth-telling, genre-blending, and cinematic soul.
This release follows a standout year for Tolü Makay, including a show-stopping support slot for Gabrielle at Dublin’s 3Arena, her first Symphony Orchestra collaboration, a growing international following, and recognition from tastemakers across Ireland and the UK.
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