Tobyraps

Ryan Tobbe, aka TobyRaps, never wanted to have a normal 9-to-5 job. Instead, he chooses to make his living making other people happy with his acoustic guitar, on-the-spot song creations, and helping people of the streets of downtown Cleveland as a Clean and Safe Ambassador for the Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA).

After graduating from Cleveland State University in 2015, Tobbe became a street musician around Cleveland. To him, performing music for tips was better than anything a normal job could provide.

Tobbe has come a long way from performing on street corners. The rapper has now performed in venues all over Cleveland and across the country. Locally, he’s been known to perform at Mahall’s 20 Lanes in Lakewood or the House of Blues—playing as the opening act for local band Tropidelic on New Year’s Eve 2019.

He has two full-length albums under his belt with a third album, “Make Yourself Happy” due in April.

When he’s not entertaining people with music, Tobbe works as a Clean and Safe Ambassador with the Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA). But whether it’s through his music or as an ambassador, he always tries to motivate people.

“Happiness is a work ethic—we want to be happy but it’s not something that’s just going to happen,” Tobbe says. “If you want to be happy, then you need to do things every day—basic things that are scientifically proven to benefit your mood.” - FreshWater Cleveland

Tobyraps is a musician from Cleveland, Ohio with a strong passion for uplifting people through spoken word. After graduating from Cleveland State in 2015, he went on to spend the next three years as a working street musician, making up personalized songs for passersby. He traveled all around the country performing on the street, crashing on couches of generous hosts, or in the front seat of his car. In 2018, Tobyraps released his first studio album “Make People Smile,” in collaboration with his producer and long time best friend, Chris DiCola. The album gained some local traction, and he began to trade in street performing for stage performing. In the beginning of 2019, he packed up his car and moved to Los Angeles in search of new experiences and a stronger identity of self. In February of 2020, he released his sophomore album “Make More Friends,” chronicling his experience as a California transplant, working constantly to stay afloat, carrying out a long distance relationship, and eventually severing old ties in the name of establishing new ones. After the album’s release, Tobyraps went on a 2 week tour that landed him back in Cleveland at the beginning of the pandemic. Quarantined in Cleveland, he began reading self help books that led to the idea for his third album “Make Yourself Happy.” Wanting to be closer to his producer and family in the midst of the pandemic, he made the tough decision to move back to Cleveland, so that he could more consistently record music. Tobyraps is currently employed as a Cleveland Ambassador where his job is to walk the downtown of his city and generally uplift the spirits of the people that he meets. - Infrared Magazine

CLEVELAND, OH (February 26, 2021) – Motivator and musician Tobyraps released his single and music video “Get to Sleep” featuring James Begin and Iron Bison on February 26. The song is his second single off his upcoming album Make Yourself Happy. In “Get to Sleep,” Tobyraps delivers a slew of poignant lyrics pointing at the benefits of good night’s sleep. “I think as I’ve gotten older, I’ve really started to notice the effect that sleep has on my overall mental health,” says Tobyraps. “No amount of caffeine can ever compete with what a great night’s sleep can do.”

The rising artist says he wrote the song in response to the partying he and his friends were doing. “Nothing groundbreaking was ever being accomplished or discussed,” says Tobyraps. “We were just a bunch of exhausted, dehydrated youths, pointlessly depriving our bodies of rest.” The Make Yourself Happy album details steps towards living a more happy, healthy life. Focused on inspiration and positivity, Tobyraps centers most of his music around the simple joys of life. “Get to Sleep” was produced by Tobyraps’ longtime collaborator Chris Dicola and samples ominous guitar tones from Cleveland metal band Iron Bison. The lush electric piano chords “create the soundscape of a drained brain seducing a tired body to go home and get to sleep,” says Tobyraps. The single encapsulates Tobyraps’ overall musical essence: sleek, catchy sounds complemented with witty lyrics that move listeners beyond the dance floor.

“Get to Sleep” is available on all major streaming platforms.

Tobyraps is a musician from Cleveland, Ohio with a strong passion for uplifting people through spoken word. After graduating from Cleveland State in 2015, he went on to spend the next three years as a working street musician, making up personalized songs for passersby. He traveled all around the country performing on the street, crashing on couches of generous hosts, or in the front seat of his car. In 2018, Tobyraps released his first studio album “Make People Smile,” in collaboration with his producer and long time best friend, Chris DiCola. The album gained some local traction, and he began to trade in street performing for stage performing. In the beginning of 2019, he packed up his car and moved to Los Angeles in search of new experiences and a stronger identity of self. In February of 2020, he released his sophomore album “Make More Friends,” chronicling his experience as a California transplant, working constantly to stay afloat, carrying out a long distance relationship, and eventually severing old ties in the name of establishing new ones. After the album’s release, Tobyraps went on a 2 week tour that landed him back in Cleveland at the beginning of the pandemic. Quarantined in Cleveland, he began reading self help books that led to the idea for his third album “Make Yourself Happy.” Wanting to be closer to his producer and family in the midst of the pandemic, he made the tough decision to move back to Cleveland, so that he could more consistently record music. Tobyraps is currently employed as a Cleveland Ambassador where his job is to walk the downtown of his city and generally uplift the spirits of the people that he meets. - Volatile Weekly

Motivator and musician Tobyraps released his single and music video “Get to Sleep” featuring James Begin and Iron Bison on February 26. The song is his second single off his upcoming album Make Yourself Happy. In “Get to Sleep,” Tobyraps delivers a slew of poignant lyrics pointing at the benefits of good night’s sleep. “I think as I’ve gotten older, I’ve really started to notice the effect that sleep has on my overall mental health,” says Tobyraps. “No amount of caffeine can ever compete with what a great night’s sleep can do.”

The rising artist says he wrote the song in response to the partying he and his friends were doing. “Nothing groundbreaking was ever being accomplished or discussed,” says Tobyraps. “We were just a bunch of exhausted, dehydrated youths, pointlessly depriving our bodies of rest.” The Make Yourself Happy album details steps towards living a more happy, healthy life. Focused on inspiration and positivity, Tobyraps centers most of his music around the simple joys of life. “Get to Sleep” was produced by Tobyraps’ longtime collaborator Chris Dicola and samples ominous guitar tones from Cleveland metal band Iron Bison. The lush electric piano chords “create the soundscape of a drained brain seducing a tired body to go home and get to sleep,” says Tobyraps. The single encapsulates Tobyraps’ overall musical essence: sleek, catchy sounds complemented with witty lyrics that move listeners beyond the dance floor.

Tobyraps is a musician from Cleveland, Ohio with a strong passion for uplifting people through spoken word. After graduating from Cleveland State in 2015, he went on to spend the next three years as a working street musician, making up personalized songs for passersby. He traveled all around the country performing on the street, crashing on couches of generous hosts, or in the front seat of his car. In 2018, Tobyraps released his first studio album “Make People Smile,” in collaboration with his producer and long time best friend, Chris DiCola. The album gained some local traction, and he began to trade in street performing for stage performing. In the beginning of 2019, he packed up his car and moved to Los Angeles in search of new experiences and a stronger identity of self. In February of 2020, he released his sophomore album “Make More Friends,” chronicling his experience as a California transplant, working constantly to stay afloat, carrying out a long distance relationship, and eventually severing old ties in the name of establishing new ones. After the album’s release, Tobyraps went on a 2 week tour that landed him back in Cleveland at the beginning of the pandemic. Quarantined in Cleveland, he began reading self help books that led to the idea for his third album “Make Yourself Happy.” Wanting to be closer to his producer and family in the midst of the pandemic, he made the tough decision to move back to Cleveland, so that he could more consistently record music. Tobyraps is currently employed as a Cleveland Ambassador where his job is to walk the downtown of his city and generally uplift the spirits of the people that he meets. - The Hype Magazine

1. TobyRaps – “Exercise”

The only music video on our roundup, TobyRaps’ “Exercise” video is the perfect fun-loving, punchy track to kick off the new year. A tongue-in-cheek video meant to lift listener’s spirits and motivate them…. especially during these very trying times…. TobyRaps points out that happiness is a work ethic – something we have to consistently work to maintain. This contributes to his upcoming album, Make Yourself Happy, releasing later this year. - V13

Jan 15, 2021, 16:17pm EST — Motivator and musician Tobyraps has released a music video for his newest single “Exercise” from his upcoming album Make Yourself Happy. The entire Make Yourself Happy album focuses on the idea that happiness is a work ethic. “In order to remain happy, it is up to us to put in the daily maintenance to ensure that our bodies and minds continue to glow with self-confidence,” says Tobyraps. “Exercise” further supports the artist’s mission of encouraging and uplifting people. Tobyraps created the song as motivation towards finding happiness because he believes “one of the simplest ways to gain mental and physical confidence is by engaging in daily exercise.”

He was inspired to write “Exercise” when he realized how his spirits lifted post-workout during quarantine. “I felt more optimistic, more energetic, and overall just proud of myself,” he says. Tobyraps says he wanted to capture those feelings for the single. The artist knows he isn’t a fitness professional, however. He simply wants to encourage people similar to him to find the motivation and make exercise fun. Tobyraps has a long history of pursuing happiness for himself and everyone around him. His first album, Make People Smile, followed a similar path to Make Yourself Happy. Even when he was working as a street musician, Tobyraps continued to put in all efforts to uplift strangers. “Exercise” is just another way he will spread joy, encouragement, and the passion for life with those who listen.

Tobyraps is a musician from Cleveland, Ohio with a strong passion for uplifting people through spoken word. After graduating from Cleveland State in 2015, he went on to spend the next three years as a working street musician, making up personalized songs for passersby. He traveled all around the country performing on the street, crashing on couches of generous hosts, or in the front seat of his car. In 2018, Tobyraps released his first studio album “Make People Smile,” in collaboration with his producer and long time best friend, Chris DiCola. The album gained some local traction, and he began to trade in street performing for stage performing. In the beginning of 2019, he packed up his car and moved to Los Angeles in search of new experiences and a stronger identity of self.

In February of 2020, he released his sophomore album “Make More Friends,” chronicling his experience as a California transplant, working constantly to stay afloat, carrying out a long distance relationship, and eventually severing old ties in the name of establishing new ones. After the album’s release, Tobyraps went on a 2 week tour that landed him back in Cleveland at the beginning of the pandemic. Quarantined in Cleveland, he began reading self help books that led to the idea for his third album “Make Yourself Happy.” Wanting to be closer to his producer and family in the midst of the pandemic, he made the tough decision to move back to Cleveland, so that he could more consistently record music. Tobyraps is currently employed as a Cleveland Ambassador where his job is to walk the downtown of his city and generally uplift the spirits of the people that he meets. - 24Hip-Hop