iCandy Tonhi

T-Green | Sep 24, 2009 | Comments 0

The music business, mostly male dominated, has always been a tough career field for women to gain respect, knowledge, and success in. However, there are the select few who have overcome the obstacles put in front of them to become successful females in the music entertainment field. With this being said, there is no doubt that the multi-talented artist Tonhi will be one of these triumphant women.

Though she was born in Connecticut, Tonhi was raised in Bell Glade, Florida, which is also known as Muck City. Family has always been an inspiration to her, growing up with affirmative and optimistic role models, such as her mother, father and older sister. Growing up with her two sisters, Nikki and Keisha,music was always a way for Tonhi to express herself whether she was writing or listening to it. She could sing and rap since she could remember and was influenced by Lauryn Hill, Da Brat, and Left Eye, some of her favorite artists still to this day. By being multi-talented, Tonhi knew she would have something that every fan can relate to. “I prefer rapping because it what people least expect. I love their expression of shock when they hear me rap, but people love when I sing and always want to see more of that.”

While music was at the center of her heart since forever, sports and academics was a focal point in Tonhi’s adolescent life. School was always a first priority for Tonhi, and growing up as a rebellious tomboy, she excelled in athletics as well. While mastering volleyball, soccer and tennis throughout middle school and high school, Tonhi had no time left for boys. During her junior year she accumulated more awards than any other male or female athlete, winning The Coaches Award in volleyball and Most Valuable Player award in tennis and soccer. The success continued throughout her senior year, with Tonhi winning Female Athlete of the Year award and graduating as the fifth rank in her high school.

Her mom and dad always motivated her to have big aspirations, and with dentistry as her career choice in mind, she applied to only one school– the University of Florida. However, once Tonhi arrived at UF, she didn’t like the campus environment and wanted to transfer. But due to her father’s requests, she decided to stay and make the best out the situation by finding something that could fill the void in her life. Music became this main focus and though she always loved music, the relationship was just beginning to flourish. “Music to me is like an expression that can be shared with others and mines is like a reality show. I like to talk about things that people actually experience and I want to share that.”

With several responsibilities to manage, she decided that an equal balance had to be established between work, school and music. Tonhi, still embracing the wisdom of her father, dedicated time to embrace and strengthen her talents by working on her shyness and perfecting her delivery. Though many of her close friends always gave encouragement, she never craved the spotlight and this often was misinterpreted as a lack of confidence. However, this is just one of things that set Tonhi apart from other artists. “My road to getting to the music industry is going to be different. People feel like you have to go through so much just to make it in this industry, but hard work and true talent pays off and people will remember you for it.”

In the summer of 2007, Tonhi wrote and recorded her first song, “I’m the One, which was full of Florida’s unique style and swagger.” But she soon was displeased with the way business was being conducted around her in the entertainment field. Business was often mixed with pleasure and she didn’t want to be placed in a predicament where her standards would be tested. Furthermore, the burden of school and work started to takes it toll; Tohni worked part-time as a mechanic while still a full-time student in health care administration at UF. The heavy loads unfortunately caused her to stray away from music temporarily.

However, not being able to stay away for long, a year later she was back with a seriousness and dedication for music that manifested through maturity, self-reflection and self-motivation. “My motivation comes from myself and that’s all it takes…self-motivation. I know I can do it, so I do it.” Tonhi, separating herself from unproductive activity, devoted her full attention and energy towards her music. Now finished with her transformation, Tohni feels as if she’s ready to take on the world. “It’s time for blowupuation; I want everyone to know who I am and make connection with my music, especially women. I want to be a voice for the females out there. As a female MC in a male dominated game, Tohni wants to embrace and strengthen females around the world. She believes that it’s time for not only women in the music entertainment, but also women all over, to join together for the take over.

Nevertheless, it doesn’t end at music for this multi-threat artist. She hints at possibly trying acting in the near future. And her ambitions go even further than that. Inspired by her mother who adopted two children in need, Tohni wants to work with third world countries directly to help in problematic areas. “I feel like we need genuine help in the areas, and in the near future I want to help set up an organization that can do this.” But until then, Tonhi says her overall goal for life is to be better than she was the day before. With academics, sports, music and modeling already mastered, this young, determined and talented woman wants the world to know that she is ready to take on more.

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