Equal parts R&B and Trap (“Trap-n-B”), Don Toliver has Houston, TX in his DNA. The rapper, singer and songwriter released the wavy jam No Idea back in May and is now experiencing the viral wave. 

Thanks to the wild, wonderful and unpredictable nature of the internet, six months after Don Toliver dropped No Idea, the tune is gaining some serious online traction - Not unlike Lizzo’s Truth Hurts (which took off a whole two years after its initial release).  

This week alone, No Idea has made an impressive climb. The track has jumped a mammoth 50+ places on the NZ Spotify charts in a matter of days. 



No Idea’s virality is undeniable. Tastemakers have been tuning into Don Toliver ever since he dropped his impressive 2018 album Donny Womack and featured on Travis Scott’s platinum hit Can’t Say, but now it’s abundantly clear the rest of the world is about to catch up. 

Now is the time to get ahead of the curve and get to know this multi-talented artist. 

Beginnings

Caleb Zackery Toliver (born June 12, 1994), now known as Don Toliver grew up always knowing he could sing but lacking the necessary tools to apply his talents. At the age of sixteen he got the chance to record his first song, “Bitch I’m in the Building,” at his makeshift studio at home.

After receiving local recognition and grinding shows at local venues like Warehouse Live, Vanguard Warehouse, Notsuoh, The Secret Group, Ciroc Studios - Toliver gained access to Barron Studios, where he has honed his craft and now currently records most of his music.

Without using a pen, Toliver steps into the studio to vibe off the beat and come in on the fly with a hook, filling in after with the verses. 

Influences 

Growing up listening to dominant regional figures like Big Mo and Mike Jones, Don Toliver developed his soundscape - which includes distinct lyrical rhyme schemes combined with futuristic, forward approaches - after broadening his influences to include artists like Pharrell, Sade, Marvin Gaye, and Dom Kennedy. The result is an expressive and quick-witted artist who’s able to embody multiple vibes in one – ride out music, turn-up anthems, chill playlist, wavy jams… 

Point of Difference

While he does play around with effects like auto-tune, Toliver does it more so for style vs. using it as a crutch (you’ll hear reverb and some effects to create a slightly elevated sound in areas). 

“I want people to imagine everything in my music,” Toliver mentions. “I want them to take it in so they can mentally and visually feel it.  My sound is so different.  I’m bringing a new culture into the music game.”

TikTok 

The music and video sharing social media app TikTok has played a major role in recent viral hits including Lizzo’s Truth Hurts, Ashnikko’s Stupid and Lil Nas’ Old Town Road. When a track explodes on TikTok the resulting impact on the international charts is plain and clear. If it bangs on TikTok, chances are it’s going to bang everywhere. 

Over 900,000 TikTok users haves uploaded videos to the app using a soundbite from Don Toliver’s No Idea. Often TikTok users create some kind of challenge with the song, whether it’s a dance, a joke, a skit, a pun using a lyric, you name it, someone’s done it on TikTok. 

Some TikTokers have taken to sharing videos of themselves moving in slow motion to No Idea. Although, there’s plenty of other ideas going up too.  

Travis Scott and Cactus Jack

Don Toliver is a member of Travis Scott’s trailblazing creative collective Cactus Jack. With songwriting and feature artist credits on the Travis Scott’s grammy-nominated album Astroworld, Don Toliver is part of the OG Cactus Jack crew. 

Earlier this week Travis Scott announced Cactus Jack will be releasing a debut studio album Jack Boys slated to arrive before the end of 2019. The growing Cactus Jack roster includes himself, Don, Sheck Wes and artist/DJ Chase B. 

In the meantime, be sure you’re following Topsify’s Flava Fresh Beats playlist for more new popping hip hop and R&B beats that will get you moving.