Biography
R&B singer/songwriter Toni Estes, originally from Tulsa, OK, was raised in a household saturated with music, refining her voice both at home and during church services. At the age of six she began landing spots in television commercials, and during her teenage years she served as an opening act for Natalie Cole and Gladys Knight. Following her high school graduation, Estes decided to pursue a career as a professional vocalist. A mutual acquaintance introduced her to producer Jon Jon, whose prior credits included work with Babyface, prompting her move to Los Angeles to cut demo recordings. Although she secured a contract with a major label at seventeen, she obtained a release by citing “politics” and immediately started searching for another recording agreement. Desmarie Guyton, an associate from her previous label, forwarded a tape to Mark Brown at Priority Records, resulting in a new deal and the 2000 release of her debut album, Two * Eleven.