By YRS Jerzy
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Television fans should already know Toy Connor by face, as she’s played on some notable shows. The most-known role came on “The Corner,” the popular HBO drama. But, she also played on “General Hospital” for a time in 2006.
In the years since then, Toy Connor decided to dedicate time to music, another passion of hers. Taking it very seriously, Toy Connor ended up being mentored by Berry Gordy. To those who don’t know, Berry Gordy is the original urban music mogul with Motown Records.
Toy Connor is Hip Hop Vibe’s latest On The Rise interview subject. In her conversation, Toy Connor explains her influences in the game and spoke on her roles on “The Corner” and “General Hospital.” During the interview, she also discussed her upcoming EP and new single.
Read the entire interview below:
Who are some of your inspirations when it comes to making music? I’m all over the board when it comes to my playlist, but I can say some of my early influences are Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, Biggie, Shaggy, Lil Kim, Foxy Brown… Man the list goes on. I just appreciate good music.
Unlike many up-and-coming artists before you, you are already receiving a lot of exposure, what would you credit to your success? Well, having a publicist helps, but also fortunately, I still have people who were huge “Corner” fans (referencing the HBO Series, “THE CORNER”), who support my journey.
How did you end up meeting Berry Gordy and later building a relationship with him? I met his son first at an art show. We chopped it up about his appreciation of my work as an actress and he asked if I still had interest in music. I was like “hell yeah,” so we exchanged info, he checked out my work and, shortly after, introduced me to Berry Gordy, his father, as a singer/songwriter to be considered to write on a project for an artist Mr. Gordy was developing at that time. During the process, he realized I was a talented artist in my own right. The rest is history.
Would you consider the biggest moment of your career your feature as ‘What’s Next Artist’ on Now 44? Musically, yes, it was the first time I worked on a music project that went gold, so yes that was a big moment for me, though that record was outside of my preferred genre, which is Urban Pop. Nevertheless, I’m very appreciative, but I believe my BIGGEST MOMENT is yet to come when I hit with my new records in my preferred genre.
Before music, many people know you for your role on HBO’s “The Corner,” can you briefly discuss how you feel about acting and your time on the show? “The Corner” was an amazing, priceless, experience and I worked with some amazing talent both behind and in front of the camera. As you know, my character, Tyreeka Freemon, was a very young girl who made into the family by becoming pregnant by D’Andre, the Drug slinging son. That show and role jump started my acting career which led me to “ER,” “CSI,” “General Hospital,” and more. I love acting and will ultimately do it in the future, but I aspire to be a great music artist, and, in order to do that, I believe I need to give 100% of my energy to my music craft at this point in time.
You are now working on your debut EP, how is that process coming along and do you have a title yet? The creative process is always the fun part to me and then there’s performing which I love. But back to your question, creating the EP has been fun and effortless because music is my passion. I think the hardest part is picking the 5-7 songs out of many I’ve recorded, cause I have a habit of falling in love with every record I complete. At this time, the EP is under the working title of “They Don’t Even Know”
(#TDEK), which is also the name of my single. But the EP title may change.
Do you intend to soon work with some more recognizable names in the music industry? Of course, but with this debut project, it’s important to me as well as my team, that I hit on my own merit and not with a bunch of features. After I prove what I can do by myself, I’m definitely down to collab.
Where can the people find you on social media, such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter? Well, the people can get to know me on my official website:
http://www.Toyconnor.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/Toyconnor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/Toyconnor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Toyconnor
Snapchat: @DatRudegyal
Watch the “They Don’t Even Know” lyric video by Toy Connor below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juWH3DtFhS0
Follow YRS Jerzy on Twitter @IAMYRSJERZY.
