Biography
read full storySince emerging on the scene in the late 90s, the Jamaican vocal quartet has produc ...
Hailed by the New York Times as "the world's greatest dancehall-reggae boy band," T.O.K. has been Jamaica's leading dancehall group for over a decade.
Since emerging on the scene in the late 90s, the Jamaican vocal quartet has produced numerous hit songs and albums, cementing their position at the top of the entertainment industry.
Borne out of Kingston, Jamaica, the group consists of four members, Alistaire "Alex", McCalla, Roshaun "Bay C" Clarke, Craig "Craigy T" Thompson and Xavier "Flexx" Davidson. Together their voices combine RandB harmonies with the hardcore ragamuffin flavour that is dancehall.
Like most young artistes seeking to break through on the music scene, the group began their career by performing at local high schools, eventually graduating to shows in the hotels and lounges of Jamaica's famed North Coast.
In 1996, T.O.K. emerged on reggae charts (locally and overseas) with "Hardcore Lover", recorded with the "Queen of the Dancehall", Lady Saw on the Call Me Shams Label. In 1999 they recorded "Eagles Cry" (a version of Prince's "When Doves Cry") with Xtra Large Posse, which became an instant international success.
"Eagles Cry" was followed closely by one of T.O.K.'s biggest and most controversial hit, "Chi Chi Man", produced by LOY on the Sashi riddim created by renowned Jamaican producer Tony "CD" Kelly.
The group entered the US market in 2001 with their debut album, "My Crew, My Dawgs", which made the Top 10 Billboard Top Reggae Album Charts and sold Platinum in Japan.
That year, T.O.K. appeared on MTV's first "Advance Warning"- a prestigious nod to up-and-comers – and on the very first season of BET's "106 and Park," well before any dancehall artist graced that stage. In addition to this, T.O.K.'s "Gal You Ah Lead," video was selected for MTV2's "New Faces of MTV2", and made its debut on MTV's "Direct Effect."
"Gal You Ah Lead", the first single from the group's second album "Unknown Language" was among Blender Magazine's "Top Songs of 2004". Produced by Bobby Konders, the song became a crossover hit in the clubs and on urban radio powerhouses like New York's Hot 97 and Miami's Power 96.
With the upcoming release of "Unknown Language" in 2005, T.O.K. released yet another hit from the album – the "one-drop" track "Footprints" – a song written about the escalating violence in Jamaica, and the personal loss experienced by the members of the group. "Footprints" went to #1 on several local and International Charts, and when T.O.K. released "Unknown Language" soon after, the album sales went Gold in Japan in its first week on the shelf, and quickly went on to sell Platinum.
T.O.K spent a couple years touring the world promoting "Unknown Language" as well as brand T.O.K. Their tour saw performances in several countries in Europe, some of which have been a first for any Reggae act. The group also became a staple in Japan, as well as in Africa and several islands across the Caribbean.
Ever since T.O.K.'s emergence on the local and international dancehall scene, the group has always enjoyed a very strong female fan base all over the World.
Following their Unknown Language Tour, the group returned to the local dancehall scene, and found themselves back in the spotlight in 2007 with two blazing hits, "No Man" and "Guardian Angel". "Guardian Angel", like "Footprints" rose to #1 on the Reggae Charts in New York and Florida as well as in Jamaica.
Since the start of 2008, T.O.K has released several new singles, as well as music videos for "No Man", "Unbelievable", the "Hotta Vybez Medley", the "Raindrops Medley" and most recently "Supermodel".
Currently the artistes are working closely with 357 Records, a local record label founded by Mario Campbell (2007 EME Producer of the Year).
The group is gearing up for the upcoming release of their new album, "Our World" – which will see the influence of the mélange of cultures from the different parts of the globe that the group has travelled.
"Our World" is scheduled for release in 2009.
Since emerging on the scene in the late 90s, the Jamaican vocal quartet has produced numerous hit songs and albums, cementing their position at the top of the entertainment industry.
Borne out of Kingston, Jamaica, the group consists of four members, Alistaire "Alex", McCalla, Roshaun "Bay C" Clarke, Craig "Craigy T" Thompson and Xavier "Flexx" Davidson. Together their voices combine RandB harmonies with the hardcore ragamuffin flavour that is dancehall.
Like most young artistes seeking to break through on the music scene, the group began their career by performing at local high schools, eventually graduating to shows in the hotels and lounges of Jamaica's famed North Coast.
In 1996, T.O.K. emerged on reggae charts (locally and overseas) with "Hardcore Lover", recorded with the "Queen of the Dancehall", Lady Saw on the Call Me Shams Label. In 1999 they recorded "Eagles Cry" (a version of Prince's "When Doves Cry") with Xtra Large Posse, which became an instant international success.
"Eagles Cry" was followed closely by one of T.O.K.'s biggest and most controversial hit, "Chi Chi Man", produced by LOY on the Sashi riddim created by renowned Jamaican producer Tony "CD" Kelly.
The group entered the US market in 2001 with their debut album, "My Crew, My Dawgs", which made the Top 10 Billboard Top Reggae Album Charts and sold Platinum in Japan.
That year, T.O.K. appeared on MTV's first "Advance Warning"- a prestigious nod to up-and-comers – and on the very first season of BET's "106 and Park," well before any dancehall artist graced that stage. In addition to this, T.O.K.'s "Gal You Ah Lead," video was selected for MTV2's "New Faces of MTV2", and made its debut on MTV's "Direct Effect."
"Gal You Ah Lead", the first single from the group's second album "Unknown Language" was among Blender Magazine's "Top Songs of 2004". Produced by Bobby Konders, the song became a crossover hit in the clubs and on urban radio powerhouses like New York's Hot 97 and Miami's Power 96.
With the upcoming release of "Unknown Language" in 2005, T.O.K. released yet another hit from the album – the "one-drop" track "Footprints" – a song written about the escalating violence in Jamaica, and the personal loss experienced by the members of the group. "Footprints" went to #1 on several local and International Charts, and when T.O.K. released "Unknown Language" soon after, the album sales went Gold in Japan in its first week on the shelf, and quickly went on to sell Platinum.
T.O.K spent a couple years touring the world promoting "Unknown Language" as well as brand T.O.K. Their tour saw performances in several countries in Europe, some of which have been a first for any Reggae act. The group also became a staple in Japan, as well as in Africa and several islands across the Caribbean.
Ever since T.O.K.'s emergence on the local and international dancehall scene, the group has always enjoyed a very strong female fan base all over the World.
Following their Unknown Language Tour, the group returned to the local dancehall scene, and found themselves back in the spotlight in 2007 with two blazing hits, "No Man" and "Guardian Angel". "Guardian Angel", like "Footprints" rose to #1 on the Reggae Charts in New York and Florida as well as in Jamaica.
Since the start of 2008, T.O.K has released several new singles, as well as music videos for "No Man", "Unbelievable", the "Hotta Vybez Medley", the "Raindrops Medley" and most recently "Supermodel".
Currently the artistes are working closely with 357 Records, a local record label founded by Mario Campbell (2007 EME Producer of the Year).
The group is gearing up for the upcoming release of their new album, "Our World" – which will see the influence of the mélange of cultures from the different parts of the globe that the group has travelled.
"Our World" is scheduled for release in 2009.