Toyy’s story told in rap and R&B
Video and concert next for the Committee
By Bill Beene
Of the St. Louis American
In the music game, A&R reps usually make solo runs. Even when there are just two rappers in a crew, industry heads set out to recruit “the one.”
R&B is a little different – just a little.
So why does the head count for local hip-hop crew the Committee exceed 10?
The lone lady of the Committee answered the question from her perspective.
“We’re more like a family of MCs doing our own things,” said Toyy, who raps and sings R&B.
“We do our personal projects, then hook up and help each other.” Her latest personal joint was the hot mixtape Toyy Story, which can be copped at Vintage Vinyl.
The Committee will mount up soon for a video shoot and concert in the Loop.
Toyy’s brother and Committee member Sanchez (Jai Davis) puts down a video shoot for his single “Jess Dance” at 10 p.m. tonight, Thursday, May 12 at the Red Sea.
The following night, Friday, May 13, the Committee will converge for a concert on the Pageant’s stage at 11 p.m.
They’ll be performing songs from their yet-to-be-titled CD that will hit the streets in June, as well as raps from City Life: Vol. 1 and Committee Mix: Vol. 1, plus Committee member J-Biggs’ Remember Goldie and Toyy Story.
Toyy’s mixtape includes at least five original scores from Stoney Rock, J Marty, Vandalyzm, Naushus and Jube. It reveals Toyy’s ability to weave a good story and bust it through both rap flows and R&B vocals.
“I love performing R&B, but I love to write raps,” Toyy said. “But the biggest high for me is R&B.”
The high is evident on “Do You Know.” And so is the freedom and nakedness with which she creates her R&B.
On “Do You Know,” Toyy confronts a boyfriend who suspects she’s cheating on him and denies dotting.
“When I’m rapping, I keep things to a limit and leave something for the imagination,” Toyy said.
“But, with R&B, it’s more emotional and spiritual, so I expose myself.”
She also gets hard and nasty at times. Toyy and the Committee are sometimes associated with more socially conscious underground hip-hop, but they can talk more stuff than self-professed gansta rappers.
“Do You Know” is Toyy’s favorite on the mixtape. Since the words are her own, it will be featured on her original CD The Many Faces of Toyy.
Toyy’s second-favorite joint on her mixtape is “Lou Niggas,” which she performs with her brother. The collaboration is special to Toyy, because her brother Jai used to perform with their brother Katt Davis (as Bits N Pieces), who was killed few years ago under murky circumstances.
“Everything I do with Jai, I feel privileged,” she said. “Even though no one could ever take Katt’s place, I know he’s looking down.”
Toyy also likes performing with Jai because of his ability to bend and mold himself to flow with very different styles.
“I love bringing something different out of him,” she said.
Toyy attributes the family’s musical talent to their mother, who used to sing, and their father, who played in a rock & roll band.
Toyy is currently working with a mixer from Sony by the name of Rich Keller, who will serve as executive producer on The Many Faces of Toyy.
The first single is “Let Me In,” which was not available to spin before the vine went to press. But she’s already in dialogue with local radio to get it in rotation.
Toyy also promotes herself by hitting car washes, barber shops and beauty salons. She recently pulled up in front of Plush, blasted her CD and started making sales on the spot. To date she has sold more than 1,200 copies of her mixtape.
After her performance Friday at the Pageant, Toyy will head to Wentzville, where she has worked her way into hosting and performing a show with STL national recording artist Chingy.
Who knows? Someday that double bill might go the other way around, with Toyy’s name the brightest in the lights.
