Toto (Drax Project song)

"Toto" is a song by New Zealand band Drax Project. Inspired by vocalist Shaan Singh quitting their full-time jobs to pursue music, "Toto" was released as the second single from the Noon EP in August 2018. The song was a commercial success, becoming platinum certified in New Zealand.

"Toto"
Single by Drax Project
from the album Noon
Released13 August 2018 (2018-08-13)
GenrePop
Length3:09
LabelDrax Project, Universal Music New Zealand
Songwriter(s)
  • Benjamin Daniel Harold O'Leary
  • Matthew David Beveridge Beachen
  • Samuel Jacob Henry Thomson
  • Shaan Singh
Drax Project singles chronology
"Woke Up Late"
(2017)		 "Toto"
(2018)		 "Woke Up Late"
(2019)
Music video
"Toto" on YouTube

Background and composition

The song was written by the band the day after the band members quit their full-time jobs to pursue music.[1] While not directly inspired by the 1982 song "Africa" by Toto, the band references "Africa" in the song's lyrics, and wanted to recreate the same joyfulness present in "Africa".[1] The first stanza of the song's lyrics are a direct quote by vocalist Shaan Singh, who was describing his day to a friend.[2] The band performed the song live before deciding on a finished version of the song's lyrics. Due to a fan's strong response to the song, the band were convinced to leave the song as it was, and release the song on the Noon EP.[3]

Release

The song was first unveiled as a track on the Noon EP, which was released on 8 June 2018. A month later on 13 August, the song was announced as the band's next single.[4] "Toto" was later featured in the band's debut album Drax Project. A music video was produced for the song, a dance rehearsal video made in collaboration with Samsung, that does not feature members of the band.[5]

The single climbed the charts in October 2018,[6] and was certified platinum in 2019.[7]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[8]

  • Devin Abrams – producer
  • Matt Beachen – drums, songwriter
  • Simon Gooding – engineer
  • Stuart Hawkes – mastering engineer
  • Ben O'Leary – bass guitar, songwriter
  • Sam Thomson – bass (vocal), songwriter
  • Shaan Singh – vocals, songwriting

Charts

Certifications
Certifications and sales for "Toto"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[7] Platinum 30,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Roth, Madeline (27 September 2019). "Drax Project Break Down Their Debut Album, From 'Woke Up Late' To 'Catching Feelings'". MTV. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  2. Mamo, Heran (27 September 2019). "Drax Project Underscores Laid-Back R&B Vibes & Electronic Flourishes on Self-Titled Debut Album: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  3. Postema, Saskia (18 June 2019). "Drax Project". Euphoria. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  4. "Drax Project write about their risks in new single 'Toto'". MediaWorks Radio. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  5. "Drax Project reveal to Stace and Flynny what it's been like opening for stars Ed Sheeran and Camila Cabello". The Hits. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  6. "NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  7. "New Zealand single certifications". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  8. "Credits / Noon". Tidal. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  9. "NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  10. "Official Top 20 NZ Singles: End of Year Charts 2018". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
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