Background
My name is Tonye Garrick, but my stage name is Tonye. I am an international recording artiste and songwriter. I was born in England, but I spent most of my childhood and adult years in Paris, Nigeria, and Washington DC. I studied International Business and Fashion Merchandising at Marymount University, in the United States of America. Growing up, I travelled a lot because my dad was a diplomat.
Corporate America
I worked with UBS Financial and Deloitte, both in the USA. During this time, I became accustomed to proper schedules and paying attention to detail. That helped me become structured and professional even though music is about being creative and going with the flow. They were both great jobs, but I was not very happy doing them.
Music
I have been in love with music all my life. I grew up around music, but my talent became apparent when I was about 10 years old. Everyone including my teachers was blown away by my voice. I always wanted to study music, but I wanted to play safe. I had the vision to become a singer, but I was scared to pursue music full-time. I felt it was time to make that dream a reality and took a leap of faith in 2009 when I chose to pursue a career in music. At the moment, I am making sounds that I would call Rhythm and Blues Fusion.
Parental support
My parents are very supportive and I would not ask for anything more. I appreciate them for their unconditional love.
Inspiration
I keep an open mind and I am always inspired by things around me; it helps me compose songs and keeps me in the studio all the time. I also work with a voice coach who helps me exercise my vocal cords. Also, there are people I consider role models. They inspire me to improve my craft all the time. On the international scene, I admire Brandy, Rihanna, Lauryn Hill and Yvonne Chaka Chaka; while back home, I love Onyeka Onwenu and Tiwa Savage.
Challenges
At the moment, I take everything as a blessing and do not see things as challenges. I am happy to live my dream each day; I am glad to have a supportive team that believes in what I do and allows me to be myself. Other Nigerian artistes have been quite supportive; there is no competition, the market is wide enough and everyone has his/her unique sound. I am grateful for their support.
Other interests
I would like to explore production. It is crazy how producers have so many melodies that make up their beats flowing through their minds. I would love to try to make a beat someday. I am still trying to get a hang of dancing, so I work with a choreography instructor from time to time when I have stage performances. Music is my life right now and everything I do is centered around music.
Projects
I am currently shooting videos for my songs ‘Ari Belema’ and ‘Criminal’. I have done a lot of stage performances and I have concerts lined up this year, such as ‘Woman Rising 2015’, ‘LoudNProudLive’ and ‘Gidi Culture Festival’ to mention but a few. Also, I am working on a few editorial fashion shoots with some magazines.
Relationship
I love to keep my relationship separate from my music, but I am happy the way things are.
Beauty secret
I work out five or six times a week. I mix it up with circuit training, running and body combat.
Style
Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. It is in the sky, on the streets; it has to do with ideas, the way we live and what is happening around us. Fashion is not just throwing a dress on; it is how an individual brings that outfit to life. My style is edgy, trendy and chic. The weather in Nigeria or the event I have to attend determines my look. But for my everyday look, I tend to go for the edgy and casual style. Fashion is about trying out new trends. I will always dress to suit my body type, but I do not think I want to limit myself by saying I wouldn’t wear anything
