Tola Sholana is a Nigerian who started his music career at age eight. A time when he was a member of an African gospel choir in Lagos. At age Seventeen he was already taking part in recordings at the Afrodisia studios.

Tola, a multi-instrumentalist, has a special love for drums. His love for African music and culture made him become a member of different cultural organisations in Nigeria.

A graduate of Agriculture from the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Tola also has a Diploma in Information technology from a German Institute.

His first solo recording titled lgbalaye was released in 1985 which apart from bringing him into limelight also made him known as a composer and writer of philosophical and danceable African music.

He relocated to Europe in 1993 and founded an African music group called OSUMARE, which became an instant success because of the diversity of its music, which Tola simply call Osumare Beats. His art and performance on stage have earned him the African Music Ambassador title from his fans.

Tola has taken part in more than fifty recordings and has worked with many top musicians in both Nigeria and Germany. Apart from leading a dance and a percussion group, it is not uncommon for Tola to perform and entertain fans in a solo one man show, which makes him a music all-rounder.

Amongst some of his Discography in Germany are:

• 2001: Owereke (Danceable Modern African Music)
• 2004: Sounds Of Africa (Traditional African Music)
• 2006: Dance with Me (Highlife Juju Music)
• 2007: Africa Jamboree (African House Music)...released under Housepacific Music label

Tola Sholana and his Osumare Music Organisation have also performed in many African Parties, launchings, Benefit concerts etc. Some of Tola’s music videos can be seen on youtube.com with a search for Tola Sholana or Tola Osumare.