Toki Wright Explained

Toki Wright
Alias:Mamadu
Birth Date:27 March 1980[1] [2]
Birth Place:Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Genre:Hip hop[3]
Years Active:2003–present

Toki Wright (born March 27, 1980) is an American rapper and music educator from Minneapolis. His debut solo studio album, A Different Mirror, was released on Rhymesayers Entertainment in 2009.[4]

Early life and education

Toki Wright was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States on March 27, 1980.[2] He attended Camden High School.[5] He later graduated from the University of Minnesota.[6]

Career

Musician

Toki Wright met Adonis D. Frazier in 1998, and they formed The C.O.R.E. (Children of Righteous Elevation). The duo's debut album, Metropolis, was released in 2003.[7] As well as being a member of The Chosen Few,[8] Toki Wright has released a number of solo recordings, including A Different Mirror (2009), Black Male (2010), and Faders (2012).[9] In 2014, he released a collaborative album with producer Big Cats, titled Pangaea.[10] In 2017, he released an EP, At the Speed of Life 3.[11]

Styles and influences

Toki Wright stated that "A Different Mirror", the title track from his 2009 album, was inspired by Ronald Takaki's , saying: "Unless we look into a different mirror we will only see our own reflection. American history for example might be all apple pies and American flags for many, but the history of people of color in America is filled with poverty [and] hatred".[12]

Educator

Toki Wright also launched and led the hip hop studies program at McNally Smith College of Music, which closed in 2017.[13] In 2018, he became Assistant Chair of Professional Music at Berklee College of Music.[14]

Discography

Studio albums

Mixtapes

EPs

Singles

Guest appearances

Music videos

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Toki. Wright. how im spending my birthday. Twitter. March 27, 2013. August 15, 2019.
  2. Book: Schell, Justin. From St. Paul to Minneapolis, All the Hands Clap for This: Hip Hop in the Twin Cities. Mickey. Hess. Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide. limited. Greenwood Publishing Group. 2010. 381.
  3. Web site: Sean. O'Neal. Reyan. Ali. Toki Wright is for the children. The A.V. Club. October 28, 2009. August 15, 2019.
  4. Web site: Peter S.. Scholtes. Toki Wright: A Different Mirror. City Pages. June 10, 2009. August 15, 2019.
  5. Web site: Jamal. Denman. Minnesota college offers first hip hop diploma. Twin Cities Daily Planet. April 3, 2009. August 15, 2019.
  6. Web site: Chris. Riemenschneider. Toki Wright: Ready for his close-up. Star Tribune. May 24, 2009. August 15, 2019.
  7. Web site: Chris. Riemenschneider. Lords of Discipline: Locals the C.O.R.E. fight for hip-hop's positive side. Star Tribune. February 6, 2003. February 9, 2014.
  8. Web site: Justin. Schell. Southside in the house! Illuminous 3 drop new disc at the Entry. Twin Cities Daily Planet. December 10, 2008. February 9, 2014.
  9. Web site: Bridget. Bennett. Spencer. Doar. Back in the studio with Toki Wright. Minnesota Daily. July 17, 2013. February 9, 2014.
  10. Web site: David. Reyneke. Stream Toki Wright and Big Cats' New Collaborative Album 'Pangaea' In Its Entirety. Potholes in My Blog. September 25, 2014. November 9, 2014.
  11. Web site: Andrea. Swensson. Toki Wright embraces a new identity as Mamadu. The Current. Minnesota Public Radio. May 18, 2017. May 18, 2017.
  12. Web site: Horgen . Tom . November 18, 2010 . Music video: Toki Wright's "A Different Mirror" . February 9, 2014 . Star Tribune.
  13. Web site: Jenna. Ross. Hip-hop artist, educator Toki Wright says goodbye to Minneapolis: 'It's pushing me to make decisions'. Star Tribune. June 24, 2018. August 15, 2019.
  14. Web site: Andrea. Swensson. Toki Wright talks about relocating to Boston to work at Berklee College of Music. The Current. Minnesota Public Radio. June 22, 2018. August 15, 2019.

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