Home’s where Tosh Alexander’s music is
Singer finds footing in Ja after US start
TOSH ALEXANDER used to get annoyed when questioned why she isn’t more established. “I used to feel so offended by that question and I’m so happy I get asked it now, because I’ve come into a space where I just believe that nothing happens before its time, and I feel like people are hearing me now because I’m so seasoned and ready,” she said. “When people hear me now I’m not only a singer, but an entertainer. I know who I am, I am confident in myself and in my talent.” Getting to that place took some doing, as Tosh Alexander almost felt like giving up on her lifelong dream of becoming an entertainer. After migrating at the age of 12, she started pursuing music overseas.
SLOW DOWN
“I decided to pursue music up there, because I felt like I had more of a chance up there, to be honest. I didn’t feel like I sang dancehall that is accepted here. I felt like I sang more like an RnB with a dancehall flair to it and I didn’t feel like that was accepted here at the time,” she explained. “That didn’t really work out either. I couldn’t do what they wanted either, so I said I was done.”
As she was about to slow things down, the landscape of the local industry changed and presented a way for Tosh and her unique style and sound to pursue her career in Jamaica. “I feel like we’re in a different space in music where we accept different sounds in music in Jamaica now,” she said. “I wasn’t necessarily happy doing music in the States, but I felt like I had more opportunities there. Now I am so happy, because I’m at home doing what I love and people are really enjoying my music. Being home inspires me creatively and so, naturally, my career is doing better. But most important is the fact that people are receiving me and what I bring to the table.”
The headstrong entertainer has been pursuing music professionally for 15 years and has worked with the likes of Busta Rhymes, Pharell, Nicki Minaj, The Game and Fabulous. But it is over the last two years that she has emerged from being an ‘underground’ artiste. Already she has landed collaborations with Agent Sasco (Nuh Seh Nuttn) and Ky-Mani Marley (911).
Tosh is hoping to work with a few more of the local entertainers making waves globally, including Chronixx. She has dreams of becoming a Grammy-winning artiste.