Respect | Toian

Irie Magazine presents Toian

Toian

Retrospect

Meet Toian Keisha Gichie, born on September 21, 1991 in New Jersey, USA.

Known by her stage name Toian, this energetic singer, songwriter, producer, designer, and model is a member of the ASCAP organization. She began her career in January 2010, when she met Caliber Entertainment’s chief record producer, Sean Ricketts and recorded her first single, ‘Sunshine.’ After being premiered on Jamaican radio by popular entertainer ZJ Liquid, the single began buzzing on ipods, radio stations and social media websites across the globe.

With her first single surpassing expectations, in July 2010 Toian teamed up with dancehall reggae sensation, Konshens, who immediately agreed to a collaboration upon hearing a demo of her second single, ‘All Night Party.’

This collaboration quickly made its way to #2 on New York City’s WBLK Radio Top 10 charts, which later led to Toian being selected as a 2011 International Artist of the Year on the Unsigned Hype Program in New York.

Her rapid success sparked the interest of a number of major industry executives and in May 2011, under the guidance of multiplatinum producer Don Corleon, she recorded her third single ‘You’ll Be Mine.’ It became a viral sensation, receiving over one million views on the internet, as numerous videos of teens and their friends dancing to the song appeared on popular social media sites, a dance which was dubbed ‘The Bronx Whine.’

Often compared to the Caribbean flavor of Rihanna, a lifetime of influences from growing up in Montego Bay, Jamaica has tailored the development of her unique style and sound, which fuses reggae, pop and R&B genres. Her fresh-faced beauty and crystal clear voice make her hard to resist and her lyrics are infectious, making you want to come back for more. Throughout 2012 Toian was a highlight performance for the Fuze iT Music & Fashion tour, which visited 10 states across the US for a total of 18 shows in aid of the Ronald McDonald House Charities, an organization that provides resources for sick children and their families. That same year, she landed her hometown debut performance when she was asked to make appearances at the Brit Jam Fantasy Island and Reggae Sumfest events in Montego Bay, Jamaica. She performed alongside several prominent artists including Drake, Beenie Man, Gyptian, Bounty Killer, Movado, I-Octane and more.

In early 2013, popular reggae singer Protoje was impressed when he heard Toian in the studio recording another track, ‘Shot By Love’ with Don Corleon and subsequently requested that the song be featured on his upcoming sophomore album ‘The 8 Year Affair.’ A week after its release in February 2013, the song had amassed nearly a half million viewers on YouTube. Toian flew to Jamaica to join Protoje & The Indiggnation for the first live rendition of ‘The 8 Year Affair’ album to a crowd of thousands at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

It was not all paved roads and green lights for the rising star. Back in January 2009, before her musical journey began, Toian faced adversity when she survived a horrific car accident, which claimed the life of her close friend and nearly left her paralyzed from the waist down. She suffered multiple injuries including a broken thigh, a fractured sacrum, and severe head trauma. The memory lives on as a driving force in her life and music, as she strives to become a powerful force in industry and a positive role model for her peers.

As we transition into the new age, Toian leads a continuously expanding band of fans from shore to shore as they eagerly await her debut EP, ‘Retrospect’, which is set to release on March 17, 2015, produced by Class One Music. Irie Magazine Logo

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