By Benjamin Njoku

In a music world filled with vocalists and frontliners, Oluwatobi Oyero is proof that a bass guitarist can just as easily steal the spotlight. His playing doesn’t shout. It speaks. With each note, each rhythm, and each run, he delivers emotion, precision, and a groove that lingers long after the song ends.

A perfect example of this is his recent bass cover of “Venus” originally by Afro Soul duo Serotonin. Oluwatobi didn’t just play the song. He reimagined it. Starting with a warm, gentle tone, he laid a soothing foundation that supported the vocals like an old friend. As the song evolved, his mid-tempo grooves and melodic runs gave it a brighter, more uplifting feel, a stark contrast to the melancholic mood of the original. His style on this track was both clean and adventurous. Every pluck and muted note was timed to perfection, giving the music structure and color. Towards the end, his playful improvisation added a final touch of charm, leaving listeners with something fresh and unforgettable.

But Oluwatobi’s journey didn’t begin with viral bass covers. Born in Lagos on September 29, 1988, and raised in Alagbado, his love for music was sparked at home. His father played the bass, his mother sang beautifully, and his siblings were all musically gifted. It was only natural that he would follow the same path. He started out on drums at the age of 14 in his local church, Alagbado Baptist Church. But soon, the bass guitar called to him and he answered.

As he grew in skill and confidence, Oluwatobi took part in a five day music workshop organized by the Baptist mission. Though he wasn’t a student at Bowen University where the workshop was held, his talent stood out. In 2013, he was awarded Best Bass Player, a moment that confirmed he was on the right path.

Over the years, Oluwatobi has quietly built a career marked by consistency and excellence. He’s performed across Nigeria and the United Kingdom, playing alongside notable artists such as Big Bolaji, Tim Godfrey, Tosin Bee, Dare Justified, Moses Bliss, Bukola Bekes, Damilola Bekes, IBK, and many others. His bass playing has also featured in songs like “Gbani Gbani” by Tomisin Ade Kolawole, “Victory Praise” by Adedoyin Oseni, and “Praise Medley” by Praise Ishola.

Though his foundation is gospel, Oluwatobi has a flexible sound that moves easily through genres like jazz, reggae, hip hop, blues, and Afrobeats. His playing style combines smooth walking lines with tight muting and rhythmic accuracy, a mix that brings soul and groove to every performance. He often uses melodic improvisation to give songs an unexpected lift while still respecting the structure of the original piece. It’s a balance many musicians try to achieve but few truly master.

In addition to being a performer, Oluwatobi is also a music director and studio collaborator. While he’s not always the face of the record, his fingerprints are all over the sound. Whether in live concerts, church worship events, or studio recordings, he brings the same level of passion and professionalism.

His career highlights include performances at major gospel events in Nigeria like the RCCG Hallelujah Night in Lagos, Global Harvest’s Harvest Fire in Ibadan, Bells University Concert in Ogun State, and Lagos based concerts like Sound of Worship and Altar of Worship. In the UK, he has graced events such as the LOUD Concert in Sheffield, The Bliss Experience in Manchester, and services at Foursquare Church in London and New Hope Church in Sheffield.

What truly sets Oluwatobi apart is his quiet confidence. He doesn’t chase the spotlight. He earns it through sound. His basslines don’t just support the music. They enrich it, lift it, and make it memorable. He’s a musician’s musician, someone whose contributions may not always come with loud applause but whose absence would be impossible to ignore.

In a time when Afrobeats and gospel music continue to grow on the global stage, artists like Oluwatobi Oyero remind us that the bass guitar is not just a background instrument. In the right hands, it tells a story and Oluwatobi is a master storyteller.