[Si] TV

After spending six years and most of his adolescence as a member of the Dominican-American boy band Aventura, vocalist Toby Love came out on his own in a big way. The Bronx, NY native performs a unique pop style that mixes R&B, hip-hop, and elements of the traditional Dominican musical form bachata. After the success of his debut self-titled solo album the "crunkchata" king is back with another album and a new tour. On the heels of his From the Skies Above Tour, Love sits with Bridgez to discuss his roots, his relationship with Aventura and working with his dad.

Bridgez: How did you get down with Aventura?
Toby Love: Well, I was part of merengue group with my cousins where I'm from, because we are all from the same area of the Bronx. We used to always play in this festival called Chocolate. My cousins went to school with Lenny and Henry, and I went to school with Mikey. So we knew each other from school, we were like the two young groups from the area. So it was always a competition thing between us. Then I got real cool with Mikey and we had taken a break from our merengue band and Mikey said, "Why don't you come join the group?" So I went to the studio and we mad magic! I was like 16 when I joined the group.

Bridgez: What has been the craziest experience while touring so far?
TL: Europe was crazy because I didn't think that we were so popular out there. It was mayhem, running to the bus, people chasing you, fans screaming your name and crying. I mean we get that a lot of places but not as much as it was in Europe. I feel blessed for stuff like that to happen; it's like one of my dreams.

Bridgez: What can we expect from your new album Love is Back?
TL: The new album is basically the same concept, bringing the urban bachata with a soul feel. The songs now are just more grown and sexy. Like before I talked about love, puppy love and I am still talking about that but now it's a little more grown and sexy. I just want to get a little more mature. The vibe is crazy.

Bridgez: Who else are you working with on it?
TL: I just spoke to Fat Joe, I am gonna get him on a crunk bachata joint. I'm trying to get Keyshia Cole on there. Reik also, and those are my three main artists, I want to keep it limited. And I am actually going to do something with my pops, like a bolero type bachata; like Juan Luis Guerra.

Bridgez: A lot of people mistake you for Dominican, how do you feel about that?
TL: Yeah because I was in Aventura and they are all Dominican, people assume I'm Dominican. It doesn't really bother me. To be honest, I'm Puerto Rican, my family and background is Puerto Rican, but we're all Latino. I rep for Dominicans Mexicans, Colombians; we're all one race.