Today we’d like to introduce you to Toni Estes.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Toni. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve sang since I was a tiny little girl. I started doing TV jingles when I was 6 years old. I slowly developed my voice singing locally in my hometown of Tulsa, Ok. I opened shows for Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole, and Color Me Badd when I was 14. During my sophomore year of high school I took a trip with my father to Los Angeles and did a few demos with a producer who was signed to Tracey Edmonds at the time. My first demos had Babyface singing background vocals on them! LOL How crazy is that? Over the period of a few years I landed a record deal and signed to MCA records which is now known as Universal Music. I made a few great working relationships and landed a co-writing opportunity on Whitney Houston’s, ‘My Love is Your Love’ album, and was able to get 3 songs on that project. Where I am now is just a collection of diverse opportunities and experiences.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The ride has been pretty smooth considering some of the other stories I’ve both heard and witnessed. I was dropped from my first label and then shortly after I landed the Whitney opportunity. I left my 2nd label because I didn’t believe they really understood me as an artist, so although we got some things accomplished it was struggle. After that situation I got some TV show projects and projects that were not as visible, but were still awesome. It’s been more of a struggle in recent years than it ever was in the past. That was because I was feeling my way through what exactly I wanted to do now that I was a wife and mom. All that being said, the ride has had some bumps, but not enough to throw me completely off the road.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Toni Estes – what should we know?
I AM my company. I AM Toni Estes. I specialize in writing and singing grown folks RnB. I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve never compromised my standards as a woman to meet any goal. That means a lot to me! In addition to being a singer/writer, I’m working on a few brands within my brand. One is called Champagne & Cornbread®. It’s a brand that presents dope ideas and products that don’t break the bank. It highlights the overall concept of being a little bit boujee and a little bit country/hood. LOL I created a line of hats called Petty Patrol® that another company currently carries. I’m building my real estate holding portfolio and delving into some real estate development projects. My goal at this point is to diversify. I wanna take on some of the things head on that I’ve had floating around in my mind for so many years. Long gone are the days in the music industry where you’re only allowed to be one thing. Thank God!!! I’m completely capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My love for humans! I just love people. I have real compassion for their hurts and heartbreaks, celebrations and accomplishments. It’s the Champagne & Cornbread concept, really. I understand the champagne and I understand the cornbread. I believe people know that about me. They know that I’m sincere and that EVERY single person I meet and encounter is going to get the same level of sincerity and love from me. I believe humans are humans and I treat every human as such.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.toniestes.com
- Email: toni@toniestes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toniestes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetoniestes/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTULUFGu9bi8Nhd29Rza7-A?view_as=subscriber
Image Credit:
J. Taylor Photography, Jazzella McKeel, and Christin Shoots People
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