Burton takes it slow with “Baby”

Burton Toney is improving his marketability with the recent release of his first video “Baby,” produced by Shel Shok. The track was co-written by himself and Tobagonian Odwin Thomas. The video debuted at #2 on Synergy TV and stayed on the weekly countdown for over a month. Since then, he has been receiving only positive reviews, from adults and children alike.

“I was really surprised when some young ones came up to me singing the song word for word, and it’s because of the video. And this is really great because having a video is an area for you to be visual,” Burton said. “I think people like the storyline.” “Baby,” like his follow-up releases “Temptation” and “Oh Girl,” has taken the “slow/groove” path with a fusion of R&B and pop crossover. “Temptation” was co-written by his wife Lisa and writer/producer Marlon Roach. “Oh Girl” was compiled on the Glow album produced by Ian Wiltshire.

Burton said he has curbed the pace of his tunes so as to appeal to listeners internationally. He explained: “It’s done for the average individual here and outside to understand. Additionally, I’m a ‘slow’ writer. And Actually ‘Baby’ was one of the tracks I had put down since 2000, and now felt like the right time. And it’s just showing the other side of me. I’m really accustomed to chords and so on.” Burton grew up in Lowlands, Tobago and from an early age was a member of the church and school choirs. In 2001, he joined the band Island Vibe and had a successful but short stint with Atlantik. For Carnival 2005, Burton again joined forces with Atlantik and is having an event-full season alongside vocalists Destra Garcia and Terry Seales. “The experience is great. We are booked for just about every night this week,” he said.

In 2003, he gained instant popularity for the controversial tune “Confirmed,” written by 2005 Young King Impulse. His unique style, bald look with abstract art tattooed on the right side of his head and on his right arm, makes him conspicuous wherever he goes. His performances on stage are always energetic, an energy, he said that “comes from within and I transfer that energy first before I could feed from the crowd.” He said his focus is not on competitions, but creating a name for himself. “All I think about is doing a good song, whatever happens, happens I just go out there. I’m trying to build myself as an individual, as they say, to become a household name.”