San Diego Reader

The Toven: Vocals

Genre: Hip-Hop & Rap

RIYL: Tupac, Stevie Wonder, Dr. Dre, Nas

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Related Links

• Toven website

• YouTube

Synoposis

Inception: San Diego, 1996

Influences: Jam Master Jay, DJ Fingaz, DJ Rectangle, Run-DMC, Ice T, N.W.A, LL Cool J

Background:

Based in the Southeast/Mount Hope area, San Diego native The Toven performed on several tours as a hypeman for childhood friend Jayo Felony, who was then signed to Jam Master Jay Records, distributed by Def Jam Recordings. After being mentored by Jam Master Jay before his passing, he co-founded the Du Lo Gang rap group, formed in 1996 and signed to Eureka Records, and appeared on DJ Rectangle's mixtape Vinyl Combat.

Toven next pursued a solo career, as both a rapper and producer, recording with San Diego's DJ Fingaz. Purchasing his first synthesizer keyboard, an Alesis QS7, he bought a computer, a microphone, and Cakewalk, and began recording himself. His self-produced The Dago City Double EP was released on consignment to a few stores in 2005, followed by The Million Dollar Mixtape in 2012.

In Autumn 2012, the Toven was featured in a remix of Pool Party’s track “Spaceship,” from the San Diego band’s Pet Me EP. On November 19, he released his Road to Riches EP.
May 2013 saw the release of his Ladies Only mixtape, hosted by Kevin “Slow Jammin” James.

Discography