Ryan Toby

Ryan Toby (born November 26, 1978 in Willingboro, New Jersey, U.S.) is an American soul singer, songwriter and producer, best known as the baritenor in the group City High. He and his wife (fellow City High member Claudette Ortiz) have three sons (their middle child was actually fathered by New Jersey rapper Malicious Jynx).

Toby first gained public attention when, at the age of 15, he appeared in the film "" as 'Ahmal' James, a member of the kids' choir (along with Lauryn Hill), who steal the show with their performance of "Joyful, Joyful", a song for which Toby wrote the rap part.

Toby has written songs for several artists, including single "Miami" among other songs for Will Smith on his 1997 album "Big Willie Style". He has also written songs for artists Bobby Brown, Dru Hill, Usher, Kevin Lyttle, Tyrese, Glenn Lewis, Donell Jones, Joe among others.

In 2001, Toby was asked to form a group by Wyclef Jean which became City High. Their debut self-titled album sold millions and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2003. Toby married fellow City High member Claudette Ortiz on October 14, 2004.

City High disbanded in 2003, and despite several offers from major record labels, in 2007, Toby will be releasing his debut solo album, "Soul of a Songwriter" through a joint venture with Overflow Entertainment, his own independent label, and Mass Appeal Entertainment.

Trivia

* In the movie Sister Act 2, the 15 year-old Toby was the one who sang the piercing "coloratura soprano" note in the scene where he and his choirmates perform a rendition of "O Happy Day". It was a whistle register note- an E6+.

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/ryantobymusic Ryan Toby's myspace]
* [http://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2006/05/ryan_toby_soul_of_a_songwriter/ Vibe.com - Ryan Toby: Soul of A Songwriter] (interview)
* [http://allhiphop.com/search/SearchResults.aspx?q=ryan+toby++(app%3aweblogs+OR+app%3aforums+OR+app%3aphotos)&o=Relevance] (Ryan Toby: Time To Shine interview)