Artistry is about creativity. Burton Toney’s got a lot of it in him. He possesses a natural knack for stage performance and when he visits Tobago in a few weeks for Tobago Carnival, he’ll give ‘dem’ performance at any opportunity. The entertainer who performed in the 90’s with big names in the Soca music industry like Ronnie McIntosh, Kurt Allen, Knycky Cordner and Destra Garcia, recently unleashed a brand new single called, ‘Leave’ and just like that, he’s back in the mix.

Toney’s taking it slow as he assesses the music scene, but with tremendous experience on his side, he’s using his talent and wisdom to help others. “I returned to Tobago and realized that a lot of the younger artistes were looking up to me. I’ve invested in two female artistes in Tobago. I’ve executive produced for them because I felt the need to give back – to be like a mentor to them,” he said.

He was born and grew up in Signal Hill, attended Signal Hill Secondary School and understands music well. He was first exposed to performance art when John Arnold introduced him to performing with the Illuminate Choir in Tobago. “In Trinidad, some time later, I was a part of a band called, Eclipse. As luck would have it, the big band, Atlantik with Knycky Cordner and Kurt Allen, was looking for extra vocals for Carnival Monday and Tuesday on the road.” That was the beginning of a career turning point for Toney, as he would become a part of Atlantik, touring the Caribbean with the band and working with several artistes over time.

In 2005, Burton Toney left Trinidad and Tobago for Nantucket, Massachusetts. He was expecting his first child. “My son is now 21- years- old,” he told Ebuzztt, noting that when he migrated, music remained a big part of his life. “I continued doing music for a bit. I started with family. Meghan Trainor is my neice-in-law and I worked with her on building her confidence. She was extremely talented and I told folks, she could really sing,” he recalled. Trainor is now an internationally recognized superstar. The family moved to California in 2016 and life happened. “Between family and work life, I was completely distracted from music, but then three years ago, a couple of my friends said to me, ‘Burton it’s time to get off the shelf and get back to music.”

Back in Business

Songwriter Jason ‘Shaft ‘ Bishop was the man who’d initially work alongside Burton as he made his moves to get back onto the Soca scene. “Shaft and I worked on two songs, ‘Someday and ‘ Lockdown.’ That’s when I returned to Tobago after so many years and experienced Tobago Carnival. I knew I had to get involved in it,” he said. Since that time, Burton has been working on new material, reigniting his spark and pushing into a niche market, as he sees it. “I have two songs completed so far this year – ‘ Leave’ and ‘Only One.’ When I re-emerged three years ago, I reminded those who remembered me of my performance style and the women loved it. I made a decision then and there to focus on that demographic – mature women and couples – giving women the music and performance they can move to and enjoy, and giving men the lyrics and melody they can sing into their lady’s ear,” said the entertainer.

Burton Tony’s music is groovy but includes a certain attitude that calls out to the audience, reaching deep into the fire that burns in them. “I want to concentrate on doing music that the audience can truly connect with. I want people to dance more – hold on to each other. That’s my specialty I think.”

Turning to Tobago

No matter what, this man of great experience will always give his audience a show. “Destra used to tell me, the yard could be empty, you still run out like there are thousands of people and that’s the mentality I have. Everybody has a smartphone and you’re being seen more than ever now. You always have to give it full 100 per cent,” said Toney.

As the focus turns to Tobago in the month ahead, Burton says he hopes the organization will do what it needs to, to ensure Tobago’s artistes benefit from the island’s showcase over the next few weeks. “The Carnival market is very saturated and the organizers will always bring big artistes from around the Caribbean, but one of the things I would love for Tobago is exposure and visibility for the artistes of Tobago – offering them a chance to be seen and heard; That would be respectful of the people of Tobago.”

Excited to once again come back home, Burton says his family will be with him this year and with his new singles in hand, he’s ready to bring good energy and pure vibes to Tobago. ” ‘Leave’ is one of those songs that speaks to the women. It was produced by Andy Davis – an incredible Tobagonian producer and written by Guyana’s Dickisha Mpilla, who’s based in California,” he said.

‘Only You’ is Burtons second release for Tobago and wherever else the road takes him. “I don’t ever think about how difficult the journey might be. I concentrate on doing music that the audience can truly connect with. I want people to dance more – hold on to each other, and that is ultimately my goal. It’s not about competing with anyone else. I’m just about great music, stage presence and big energy.”

Ready for Tobago Carnival – a calendar staple now, which climaxes between October 29th and October31st, Burton Toney is returning with an open mind and great aspirations. “My son told me he’s proud of me after he saw one of my performances in Tobago last year. He had never seen my performance and he was totally surprised. He says he likes the music and that’s real success, to me.”

Pleased with the feedback he’s been receiving since releasing the music, the artiste promises nothing less that his 100 per cent on any stage. He’s the type of guy to leave it all on stage, and in a saturated market, that attitude could be the difference between Burton Toney and every other artiste on the scene.

The Atlantic Ocean has long connected Africa and the Caribbean through history and culture. That connection finds a powerful new expression with “Love Again,” an Afro-Caribbean collaboration between global Ghanaian superstar, Black Sherif and Trinidad and Tobago’s acclaimed songwriting and performing duo, brothers Kory and Kevon Hart of Full Blown.

The single was released globally through EMPIRE on September 4th. Built around themes of vulnerability, healing and the courage to love again, the record arrives at a time when
creative partnerships between Africa and the Caribbean are reshaping the sound of global music.

‘Love Again’ captures the emotional highs and lows of choosing hope after heartbreak. For Black Sherif, whose introspective storytelling has earned him over 1bn+ streams from his previous album “Iron Boy,” over 5bn+ streams across his catalogue, and a global audience, the collaboration represents another step in expanding the dialogue between African and Caribbean music.

For Kory and Kevon Hart, internationally respected producers and songwriters whose work has shaped countless Caribbean hits, it marks an opportunity to showcase their artistry alongside
one of Africa’s defining voices. As Black Sherif continues to share his life through his music, he is not shy about discussing intimacy and love. “Almost all of the necessary affections that I have needed, and have gotten, came from afar, physically and figuratively. As a result, I have a tough time receiving and keeping love or better say intimacy, even though I crave them intensely,” he shared.

He admits that in his adult years this topic “has become one of the greatest discussions in my bedroom mirror and with this project, I have allowed you a glimpse of it.” Remarkably, despite creating this song together, the artistes did so from different parts of the world. They did not meet until the filming of the official music video. The reality TV-inspired video, which drops on October 15th, further celebrates the undeniable musical chemistry between West Africa and the Caribbean – regions whose cultural ties continue to inspire some of the world’s most exciting sounds.

Full Blown’s involvement in this project further supports their continued exploration of themes related to love and relationships. “This project felt natural and fits our vibe and style perfectly,” the brothers expressed cohesively.

Hailing from the twin-island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, where Soca music is the dominant genre, a big part of their dream for the genre has always been to carry the sound of Soca music to the corners of the globe, and to collaborate and share their particular vibe with artistes from different cultures. “This project is another step forward for Full Blown. We’re keeping our
dream alive,” said the duo.

As Afrobeats continues its global rise and Caribbean music expands its international reach, ‘Love Again’ reflects a broader movement bringing African and Caribbean artistes closer together. Rather than borrowing from one another, the record celebrates a shared musical lineage while pointing toward an increasingly connected future.

‘Love Again’ is one of 6 tracks featured on his EP titled SUN SHERIF, which is set to follow the success of his second studio album.