Tag Archives: Youtube

YouTube Sirens: Mike D

8 May

Mike D is a singer/songwriter from Ontario, Canada who started singing at the age of 5 and discovered passion in writing songs at 15. His musical style is heavily influenced by numerous legendary acts such as Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Brian McKnight, and Brandy to name a few.

In July 26, 2010, he released his debut EP, Euphoric on iTunes featuring the single “Get It” (featuring the Sleeze). The EP debuted at #4 on iTunes R&B/ Hip Hop albums chart in Canada on the week of its release. In 2011, his single “Forgive and Forget” was named the Toronto’s Radio Star Songwriting Competition winner and showcased at the 2011 Canadian Music Week.

He is currently traveling to Los Angeles and Toronto to finish his follow-up EP which is due in the Fall of 2013. Mike’s latest release is a beautiful pop track entitled, “Fighting Sleep,” which he wrote along with the producer of the track, Roberto Horns. LOVE his delivery and the energy of this track. It’s quite infectious, I love when the drums entered because it was reminiscent of a marching band. “Fighting Sleep” will definitely be another success for Mike, therefore METY cannot wait for the upcoming EP in its entirety! For more music, visit his YouTube channel: Mike D. Listen here… Continue reading →

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Buzz: Melanie Fiona covers Drake

23 Mar

Canadian songstress Melanie Fiona jumps back in her cover song bag while she has the time & gives her rendition of “Started From the Bottom” by fellow Toronto native, Drake. Fiona creates her own beat over some handclaps and a little melody and gives her fans what they’ve been missing! She looks like she had a lot of fun with this cover & sounds great as usual! Watch here… Continue reading →

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Toy’s Treasure Chest: You Give Good Love

11 Feb

Whitney Tribute

 

On the anniversary of the incomparable Whitney Houston’s passing, I wanted to pay homage to her in the best way I know how. I can recall being a child & this was the very first Whitney song I heard, learned & fell in love with. I can remember trying to mimic her and execute all of the intricacies and nuances she did, but that never happened because Whitney was a rare gem! Known to her fans and the music industry as “The Voice,” Whitney was certainly one of a kind. In her prime, Whitney’s voice was pristine, powerful, angelic and it touched the hearts of millions worldwide. Houston’s fans will always and forever appreciate the legacy she leaves behind. Here is an acapella snippet of my cover “You Give Good Love.” In no way will this measure to Whitney, there will NEVER be another, but this is my personal tribute to the Queen of Pop. This is Toy Taha! Press play…

Continue reading →

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Toy’s Treasure Chest: When I Was Your Man

23 Jan

I recorded this song approximately one month ago and I planned on shelving it, but it is speaking to me now. To me, Bruno Mars had one of the BEST albums of 2012 in my opinion, which was the reason it landed on METY’s countdown and one of the songs in particular I just could not get enough of. From the album to his live performances of “When I Was Your Man” really inspired me to cover the song. To me, it seemed pointless to alter the words, therefore I’m singing the song from a man’s perspective and I wanted to keep the same emotion. It’s beautiful. I love the arrangement, the lyrics…just everything about it. This is Toy Taha! Press play…

 

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Toy’s Treasure Chest: Special Delivery

28 Dec

Ever since I heard “Special Delivery,” I raved about the song and I felt it was something I would eventually cover! Bridget Kelly is the other BK I love, love, love. The production of the track was perfect, the lyrics were well-written and I can appreciate the soulful, retro sound. Bridget often describes her musical style as a fusion of R&B, soul and rock. With Kelly inspired by P!nk, Alicia Keys and Alanis Morissette, I am really looking forward to her debut via Roc Nation. Also, BK is reportedly working on her upcoming LP with Ne-Yo, Ryan Leslie, Frank Ocean and James Fauntleroy II. Here’s my take on “Special Delivery!” This is Toy Taha. Press play… Continue reading →

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Toy’s Treasure Chest: Make You Feel My Love

19 Dec

Well this song has probably been covered one thousand times, so here goes one thousand and one. Honestly this is one of my all-time favorite songs that I love to play over & over again, so it just made sense for me to cover it. Originally written and performed by Bob Dylan, however the rendition I am singing belongs to the great Adele! I chose to strip it a little further and sing in acoustic form because that’s my kind of thing. The song is simply beautiful and most of all, I love the lyrics. “Make You Feel My Love” is so vulnerable and touching that it’s really hard not to become emotional singing the lyrics. My favorite part that signifies true love and what you would go through for the one you love is, “I could make you happy make your dreams come true/ no there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do/ go to the ends of the earth for you/ to make you feel my love.” So this is me stripped! Hope you all enjoy. This is Toy Taha. Press play… Continue reading →

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Toy’s Treasure Chest: Closer

4 Dec

This is one steamy song! I love UK artist Corinne Bailey Rae so much because there is a rare quality in her voice that’s so raw and pure. “Closer” is one of my favorite songs from her 2010 album, The Sea, which was so incredible that I still play it as if it came out yesterday. The album came from a really vulnerable place in Rae’s life and she recorded it after losing her husband to an untimely death, so it was great to see her in a departure from the norm and just letting go to dive into a little sensuality. I wanted to keep the vocals tender and feline-esque in certain places as Corinne does & I thought it would be better with some added power in other areas. This is me singing while sick, so please be kind, LOL! This is Toy Taha. Press play… Continue reading →

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YouTube Sirens: Richard Osborne

30 Nov

“LNT” is the debut music video from Richard Osborne, taken from his sophomore EP Late Night Thoughts, which will be released on the 23rd of December. “LNT” was co-produced by Kris Flava. The video was shot on location by The Bigger Pictures.

Richard is a 22 year old artist based in East of England, who although his roots are deeply embedded in “RnB”, he is just as comfortable switching between most urban genres, he has dabbled in so far in Dubstep, House, Hip Hop and Bassline, but always maintains that soulful edge.

With a music a part of his life since birth, his father is an acclaimed bass player, his move into the life of a singer/songwriter was inevitable.

He quickly grabbed local notoriety with his first eclectic EP HooksNMelodies in Autumn 2011.

He cites his musical influences as The-Dream, Drake, Ryan Leslie, Justin Timberlake & Ne-Yo. Check him out! For more music, visit his YouTube channel: RichardOsborne

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Toy’s Treasure Chest: Wrong Side of A Love Song

19 Nov

I realize I use the word “favorite” a lot, but this is one of my favorite songs of 2012 and I believe one of the best songs, the beautiful & talented Melanie Fiona has ever written. I always love to sing ballads most of all because I feel they really give the artist a chance to paint their story & exhibit vocal prowess. When I first heard the song, it was something that I could really feel in my bones and I initially gravitated towards it just because I loved how passionate Melanie sang the chorus alone, but the more and more I played the track, the more I heard different layers and it’s just one of those songs I can’t get out of my head. Many first started to take notice of Fiona’s gift when she performed this song live at the BET Awards 2012, therefore I tried my best not to mimic her or make my cover exact to the original, so here’s my take on “Wrong Side of A Love Song.” This is Toy Taha. Press play… Continue reading →

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YouTube Sirens: Midian

24 Oct

Emerging artist Midian is currently working hard on her new project and the first single “Bitter” is a breakout track from the Virginia native. Midian is a soulful pop singer-songwriter with a distinctive voice that is powerful enough to join the likes of Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga. Her talent has already gained a great deal of attention including placement of her debut song on VH1′s Love & Hip Hop Atlanta. The vocals on the piano ballad “Bitter” brings forth a pain that is very similar to one of her influences the late, great Etta James. Although she is presently unsigned, Midian is ready to make her mark on the world of music. I love her tone & the strength in her vocals. To purchase Midian’s single Bitter, here on iTunes. If you love what you hear as much as METY does, visit Midian’s YouTube channel: OfficialMidian

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YouTube Sirens: Fritzwa

12 Oct

METY would like to introduce NYC native Fritzwa, who recently released her first music video, “FDR Drive”. The single was directed by Felipe Vara De Ray and we simply love the vibe of this track. The video tells the story of Fritzwa and her friends using the city as their personal summertime playground. “FDR Drive” is the first single off of her upcoming album, “Case Based”. A Cornell graduate and NYU Stern MBA Student, Fritzwa is no stranger to hard work. Case Based is a body of work produced and recorded during an intense 2 year MBA program. I love her energy & that she’s turned up! The featured track is such a fun and catchy record that symbolizes living life to the fullest. Warm up all over again & get back into the summer groove with Fritzwa! Press play!

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Toy’s Treasure Chest: Sex For Breakfast

19 Sep

 

So this was always my intention, but with a very hectic schedule, the segment kept being pushed back…however the time is now! Most METY followers know my background and that I truly LOVE to sing more than anything! Therefore, in the process of creating my own music, I wanted to give my listeners a little something. For my first METY cover, I made the choice to sing an acapella rendition by one of my favorite singers of today: Christina Aguilera! The track is “Sex For Breakfast,” off of her last LP, Bionic and with Xtina preparing new music, my excitement is growing and I had to revisit some of her previous work. Personally, I love all genres of music and often describe my vocal stylings as soulful & melismatic with a pinch of country twang, although I am a Philly native. I love the passion in Xtina’s vocals on this track and I hope that I did it some justice. It’s a very sexy, sensual, provocative song, which is so left of what I normally do, but after playing it & receiving the green light from my two biggest supporters: my Husband & my Mom, I felt it was right. I hope all of you METY supporters enjoy it as well. For adult ears only! This is Toy Taha. Press play… Continue reading →

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