Ms. Toi

After a decade of striving without success to establish herself in rap—a challenge made all the steeper by her gender—Toikeon Parham, known professionally as Ms. Toi, finally gained traction when Ice Cube and Mack 10 recruited her for their major club anthem "You Can Do It." That appearance secured a Universal contract and paved the way for her first full-length project the following year. Her rare capacity to deliver seasoned-MC-level rhymes while shifting into full-throated diva vocals on demand quickly turned her into a sought-after figure within urban music circles. The resulting album, That Girl, showcased an array of prominent West Coast contributors such as E-40 and MC Ren alongside Nelly and producer Dame Grease.

Born in Chicago, Parham relocated with her family to Inglewood, California, at age eleven. Following high-school graduation she began actively developing her rap skills, which soon yielded a guest spot on the remix of Militia’s “Burn.” Momentum built further once she connected with Ice Cube and Mack 10 for “You Can Do It,” a track that dominated clubs throughout 2000 and whose video earned regular rotation on BET. The exposure also earned her a slot on that year’s Up in Smoke tour, setting the stage for the 2001 release of That Girl, which was introduced by the singles “Handclap” and “Can’t None Y’All.”