Towkio

Preston Oshita is an American rapper and producer from Chicago, Illinois, known professionally as Towkio. He emerged from the city's South Side rap scene in the mid-2010s as a key member of the Savemoney collective alongside Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa. His career trajectory shifted dramatically with the release of his debut studio album WWW. in February 2018, a project that garnered significant attention for its unconventional promotional strategy rather than just its sonic content.

Towkio has built a reputation for independent creativity, often bypassing traditional major label structures to maintain control over his artistic output. While he shares billing as a Grammy Award-winning artist due to his feature on Chance the Rapper's Coloring Book, his solo work remains distinctively rooted in the experimental hip-hop landscape of Chicago. As of 2026, he continues to release music and engage with his audience through digital platforms, maintaining a dedicated niche following within the hip-hop community. [edit]

Born Preston Oshita on June 26, 1993, in Chicago, Illinois, the artist grew up immersed in the local culture that would eventually shape his musical identity. Before adopting the moniker Towkio, he performed under several other names including Young P, Preston San, and Tokyo Shawn. These early iterations marked his development within the competitive South Side rap environment where he honed his craft before gaining wider recognition.

The path to his breakthrough was paved by the vibrant ecosystem of the SaveMoney crew. Unlike many artists who signed contracts immediately upon showing promise, Towkio spent years building a foundation through mixtapes and local collaborations. His early projects like Wav Theory showcased a unique approach to sound that differentiated him from peers. By 2015, industry observers began noting his potential, with Complex magazine highlighting him as the next act poised to explode from the collective. This period was defined by strategic independence; Forbes later profiled him in March 2016 specifically for his ability to cultivate a career without the backing of a major record label, emphasizing his role as a pioneer of the independent model in Chicago rap. [edit]

Towkio's professional ascent accelerated rapidly in 2015 when he released "Heaven Only Knows" featuring Chance the Rapper. The track served as a critical introduction to a broader audience and solidified his standing within the Savemoney circle. Later that year, he reunited with Vic Mensa for "GWM (Gang With Me)," further cementing his connections to the group's core members. A pivotal moment arrived in 2016 when he appeared on Chance the Rapper's Grammy-winning album Coloring Book. Although this was a collaborative effort, it allowed Towkio to claim the title of Grammy Award-winning artist, a distinction he frequently cites in his public profiles.

The defining chapter of his solo career began in late 2017 and culminated in early 2018 with the release of WWW.. The album's rollout was nothing short of unprecedented: Towkio premiered the entire project from a hot air balloon at approximately 100,000 feet above the Earth. This stunt, widely covered by outlets like Billboard and Vice, earned him the playful but fitting title of "Chicago's highest rapper" in the Chicago Reader. Rick Rubin, the legendary producer, worked on the project and publicly praised Towkio's vision. Following the album's release, Pitchfork reviewed WWW. in March 2018, and the single "Morning View" featuring SZA received a music video in May. Since then, his output has been sporadic but consistent with his independent ethos, with recent updates in 2024 and 2026 pointing toward new material like "Stimuli" while he maintains his presence on streaming services. [edit]

Towkio cultivates an image of the avant-garde independent artist. His style blends the gritty realism of Chicago street rap with surreal, space-themed aesthetics, particularly evident during the WWW. era. Media portrayals often highlight his refusal to conform to industry norms, framing him as a visionary who prioritizes creative freedom over commercial safety. His social media presence reflects this curated mystique, often sharing cryptic updates and visual art that aligns with his album concepts. The press consistently describes him as intelligent and forward-thinking, noting his ability to execute complex stunts that generate organic buzz without paid advertising campaigns. [edit]

As of October 2026, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings. He is not featured on the September 2026 iFAMOUS Rankings flagship list. While he lacks a massive global ranking, his influence within specific circles remains potent. His fanbase consists primarily of hip-hop enthusiasts who follow the Chicago scene and appreciate independent artistry. There is no official fandom name documented, and fans operate more as a community of listeners rather than an organized campaign structure. The story of the hot air balloon premiere serves as the central legend shared among followers, acting as a rite of passage for anyone discovering his discography. This singular event ensures his name persists in conversations about innovative music marketing, even if his monthly listener counts remain modest compared to chart-topping acts. [edit]

Towkio holds the distinction of being one of the few rappers to launch a full studio album from the stratosphere. His 2018 premiere from 100,000 feet remains a unique marketing feat in modern hip-hop history. Before settling on his current name, he cycled through aliases including Young P and Tokyo Shawn, reflecting a period of artistic experimentation. The collaboration with Rick Rubin on WWW. brought together two vastly different generations of music production, bridging classic rock sensibilities with contemporary Chicago trap sounds. Despite his high-profile associations, he has never signed a traditional major label deal, relying instead on direct-to-fan revenue and independent distribution channels. His YouTube channel currently boasts nearly 36,000 subscribers and over 12 million total views, demonstrating a loyal but relatively small digital footprint compared to mainstream pop stars. [edit]

Little information regarding Towkio's family background has been made public. He keeps his personal life largely out of the spotlight, avoiding interviews about parents, siblings, or domestic details. There are no public records of marriages, engagements, or children. His privacy extends to his romantic life, where no long-term partners have been officially confirmed by credible sources. This discretion contrasts with the high visibility of his professional collaborations and allows him to focus attention on his music rather than his private affairs. [edit]

Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa, Rick Rubin, Aminé, SZA[edit]

Towkio has maintained a notably private stance regarding his romantic life throughout his rise to fame. There are no credible public records of marriages, engagements, or long-term relationships that have been officially confirmed by the artist or reliable media outlets. Searches for information regarding girlfriends or partners yield no substantive results, suggesting he prefers to keep his personal relationships away from the public eye. As of 2026, the available evidence indicates he is effectively single, with no documented dating history that has entered the mainstream consciousness. Any rumors of pairings should be treated as unconfirmed speculation given the complete absence of verification from his team or himself. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Towkio's net worth at approximately $500,000. This figure reflects his status as an independent artist who has generated income through album sales, streaming royalties, and live performances rather than massive corporate endorsements. His primary revenue streams likely stem from the successful rollout of WWW. and ongoing features on tracks by his Savemoney associates. While he does not command the multi-million dollar valuations of mainstream superstars, his financial stability is bolstered by his low-overhead business model and ownership of his master recordings. The lack of a major label contract means he retains a larger percentage of earnings per stream and sale, though the overall volume of those sales remains niche. No public real estate holdings or investment portfolios have been disclosed, keeping his wealth closely tied to his active music career. [edit]

Towkio is credited as a Grammy Award winner for his contribution to Chance the Rapper's Coloring Book, which took home Best Rap Album. While this award recognizes the collective effort of the project, it is the only major accolade associated with his name. He has not won individual Grammys, BET Awards, or MTV Video Music Awards for his solo work. His recognition remains largely centered on his innovative marketing strategies and his role within the influential Savemoney collective. [edit]