The Essential List: Tobi Adebowale

Tobi’s mother is a librarian, so he developed an early appetite for reading and the joy of discovering random facts. You guessed right – Tobi was an absolute nerd as a child. 

After receiving a Bachelor's degree in genetics and some work in the fashion/media industry, Tobi moved to Canada to pursue a career in advertising as a copywriter in 2013. Life got in the way, but after some time working in banking, Tobi knew he had to find his way back to his first love – advertising. So, he quit his job and the rest, as they say, is history.

When he’s not working, you can find Tobi reading or watching a classic TV show like ‘The Sopranos’. Tobi loves writing because he never knows what he’ll unearth in the pursuit of the right words, but he enjoys the journey every time.

Lifestyle

o Place of birth: Lagos, Nigeria

o Hometown: Lagos

o Staycation: Montreal 

o Vacation: Cuba. I love how it’s like you’re in a time capsule from the past when you’re there.

o Pet: None right now, but I see a Doberman in my future

o Place of work: Performance Art

o Place of workout: I love running outside, but my home gym in my apartment building when the weather doesn’t permit that

o Side project: I’m dabbling with screenwriting, so watch out! I may write the next HBO classic

o Mode of transport: A mix of transit and my tiny Mini Cooper

o Bonus travel essential: My airpods. So, I can listen to the Bodega Boys podcast in transit

Culture

o Artist: Dennis Osadebe

o Musician: Pusha T

o Commercials / music video director: Alfredo Films / Director X

o Film director: This is tough but… Tunde Kelani/Quentin Tarantino

o Photographer: Chi Modu

o Film: Goodfellas

o Series: The Sopranos

o Commercial: WealthSimple Tax Super Bowl 2021 TV Spot

o Music video: Sungba Remix by Asake ft Burna Boy Directed by TG Omori

o Video game: FIFA 23

o Board game: Monopoly

o Book: Children of Blood and Bone

o Graphic novel: Watchmen

o Podcast: The Bodega Boys

o Magazine: GQ

Food and Drink

o Breakfast: Fresh bread from a bakery near me and salted butter

o Restaurant: Fisherman Lobster King 

o Cheap bite: Coco bread and pattie sandwich

o Working lunch: Wendy’s Baconator and fries

o Favourite dish: Agege bread and ewa agonyin

o Signature dish: BBQ Ribs

o Snack: Plantain chips

o Guilty pleasure: I love Honey Shreddies cereal with bits of Biscoff broken into it

o Bar: None right now, but there was a little Bar called ‘La Village’ in Lagos that I would visit back in the day. I have very fond memories of it

o Booze: Hennessy for a turn up and Moscato for a wine down

o Not booze: Mango pineapple smoothie

o Bonus food: Jollof rice 

o Bonus beverage: Chatime’s brown sugar pearl oat milk tea

Kit

o Phone: iPhone 14

o Computer: Macbook Pro

o TV: I have an RCA, but I would love a Samsung curved TV

o Headphones: Airpods

o Camera: My iPhone camera

o Soundsystem: I’ve got this soundbar and subwoofer from Fluid that has served me well for a couple years

o Pen / pencil: Bic

o Where you document an idea: My notes app

o Casual clothing: Essentials by Fear Of God

o Smart clothing: I love Gucci’s sartorial fashion and leather goods. I own a pair of Gucci loafers which are my go to when I’m trying to be fancy

o Footwear: Bape x Reebok Club C 

o Watch: Seiko

o Collection: Fear of God x Zegna

o App: Ssense

o Website: Blackelevationmap.com

o Favourite social media feed: @STYLENOTCOM on IG for live coverage of your fav designers at fashion week. @janthonylong is a senior creative who posts vintage ads and a lot of insightful stuff about great creative on twitter

o Digital work tool: Grammarly

o Analogue work tool: A pen and paper

o Morning grooming / makeup essential: Any good moisturiser