T.O.K. -- Talk of Kingston

Story and Photos by: Deborah Chin

I recently had the opportunity to talk to the talented foursome, T.O.K., at the VP Records Studio in Miramar. You get the impression from talking with them that music oozes from their pores. They sung their way into this interview with their a cappella voices in sync like finely tuned instruments. On their new album, Unknown Language, TOK is bringing their unique sound to an ever-growing audience. Their talent has evolved as they have continued to mature as artists and people. You get the sense that they want to do more than just entertain with their music. They like it if you walk away with some good vibes and the occasional social message. Some group members plan to use their other talents, including acting, in the coming years. After more than 10 years in the industry they haven't lost their sense of humor. If you haven't heard their single, "Footprints" or the other hot tunes, then you're overdue for a real musical treat. This album is filled with gorgeous harmonies set against the raw energy of dance hall beats, truly original lyrics, and an assortment of collaborations.

Vibe to the tunes on the new album, Unknown Language.

DC: What does TOK stand for?
TOK: (laughs) Many, many, many, many things: Touch of Klass, Taking Over Kingston, Talk of Kingston, Teachers of the Klass, Together on Key. As the years went by we kinda' play around with it. Depends on the vibe you're feeling.

DC: How did you come up with the name for your recent album, Unknown Language?
TOK: Well, basically, because of the local dialect in Jamaica, the patois. Sometimes people don't understand what we saying when we travel. So our language seems to be unknown to the world. Music is universal. We take our music and make our language known across the world. We have a dance hall dictionary on the website.breakin' down the language barrier, step-by-step.

DC: How do feel your sound has evolved since your last album?
TOK: Well, we [sic] definitely grown since the last album. You know musically.we're touching on a lot more serious topics. We have a song on this album called, "Wah Gwaan," where we address the violence that was happening in Jamaica, directly. We did that a couple of days after Bogle's death. We (were) basically like, "Wha Gwan" so we had to do a song about it. "Footprints", as you know, is an inspirational song for many, many people--helping them in a time of need, through a time of grief. Of course we still have the club banners. We've just grown.

DC: We love the new sound. How do you feel about the difference between how the music is received in Jamaica vs. here?
TOK: You know, once its received we're glad. In Jamaica that's the home of dance hall, that's the home of reggae. As you come out with a hit, you know instantly its going to take charge and take the streets. I guess for some reason the song has to cross-over. The song ("Footprints") was hot from Christmas last year in Jamaica. And now, for the summer, is when America is really getting it. But it's all good, as long as it comes across.

T.O.K. with Lil Jon at the BMI Awards
at the Fountainebleu.
Photo by Deborah Chin

DC: How you feel about other artists who've crossed over? Do you feel like you have to do anything different to your style or sound?
TOK: I think a lot of artists, except for Sean Paul, try to cross-over. But I think for TOK & Sean Paul, we naturally have a sound that is global. We listen to music from every genre so our musical background is very broad and wide. So we will listen to everything and put it into our music. The music is something that, even someone that doesn't speak English understands. We go Japan. The album is gold in Japan. They don't speak English over there but they can find something within the music, the melodies, something about it that hooks them. Music is universal.

DC: What are some the international places where you have a big following?
TOK: Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, France, Italy, Hungary, Spain. We were the first reggae group to perform in Luxembourg. The first to go to Finland. Then we have Africa, Kenya. We were the second artists to go to Hungary and we were beaten by one day. Australia is the only continent we haven't been to. We gonna' take over China and dem places eventually.

DC: What sets you apart from other male groups?
TOK: We can do everything they can do. And they can't do everything we can do. We can sing, we can DJ, we can harmonize. We can do straight R& B, and we can DJ straight dance hall. And then we can mix them. We can give you hardcore lyrics and hardcore tune-an R&B track, even a jazz track. We (are) definitely versatile, and the right blend.

DC: Are there any other artists you would like to collaborate with?
TOK: Linkin Park, Cold Play, Michael Jackson, and Jay-Z.

DC: How do you handle disagreements?
TOK: (Laughter) We laugh at situations and each other. One person is in the worst mood and the other is in the best mood. We just try to laugh it off.

The plans are in the works for a Miami tour date and you can keep up with the group by checking out their website: www.tokworld.com

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Last month's question..... Q: What is your most embarrassing experience in the bedroom? Name: “E” A: I met this girl one night, we went back to my place. We started kissing and right before it was gonna’ happen, I couldn’t get it up. I drank too much! She came back the next day when I wasn’t drunk anymore and I put it on her. Name: Marlon A: Once I was with this girl and we were doing it and her ‘kitty’ farted. I guess air got trapped up there. That was more embarrassing for her than it was for me, but when it happened…I was shocked. Name: “Big D” A: I was about to go down on this girl and I was between her legs. I just got a nose bleed out of nowhere and I ran to the bathroom to get a washcloth. But I came back and finished up. Name: Rose and Daniel A: One time we were having sex and I jumped off the bed because I thought he peed on me –and he thought I peed on him…but when I came I squirted. I had never done that before. I was so embarrassed. Name: Robert A: I was with this girl, she was so beautiful…we were kissing and she started to get wet. I smelled a little something but didn’t pay to much attention to it. We started doing it…and when we switched positions I smelled something so bad that I lost my erection. I looked down at ‘my friend’ and he looked at me and said, ‘this is not gonna’ happen.’ And the lesson is… women, you have to make sure you’re clean down there.

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T.O.K. -- Talk of Kingston

In A Flash

Talkin' Dirty

This month’s question......

What is the most outrageous thing your partner has asked you to do?

......And did you do it?