Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton was born the oldest of five children in family of minister on October 7, 1967 in Severen, Maryland. Because her parents were very religious, Toni grew up singing in the choir at her father's church. She was not allowed to wear pants until high school and forbidden to listen to secular music or watch shows such as Soul Train. Although she was forbidden to listen to secular music, Toni's fondest memories are of "sneaking to watch Soul Train whenever my parents weren't around. " It was these glimpses of secular music that influenced Toni's singing style. It also influenced her skills as a pianist and song writer. Toni graduated from Gien Burnie High School and went on to study teaching at Bowie State University before embarking on her musical career.

Toni made her professional music debut in 1992, on the Boomerang soundtrack. Her contribution was entitled "Give U My Heart", a duet with producer/recording artist Babyface. The songs' multi-platinum success was the start of a chart-topping career. Toni's self-topping debut album has won three Grammy® Awards, three American Awards, three American Music Awards and two Soul Train Awards. Her debut album "Toni Braxton" also contained two #1 Gold singles, and was platinum 9 times.

At the beginning of 1995 after a hectic schedule of appearances and performances, Toni began work on her sophomore album. Her best turned out to be "Secrets", an album that allows the listener the opportunity to witness Toni in an array of musical moods and settings. Babyface's "There's No Me without You" one of her personal favorites, has a simple, plaintive acoustic feel. "Why should I Care" has an old school '70' s flavor, while R.Kelly's "I Don't Want To" offers a broody lyrical response to Toni's 1994 hit, "Just Another Sad Love Song".

Confirmation that her first album was just the beginning of what promises to be a long-term career filled with accomplishment, "Secrets" is a glowing testament to Toni Braxton's status as one of the decade's most vibrant, exciting, soul deep, straight from the heart young artists.

-www.sing365.com