LaTonya Blige – Spirited & Self-Assured Sister

“My sister, Mary, and I have always been fascinated with music. Something great did come from what was learned and adored growing up. That is the queen of hip hop & soul my sister “ MARY J BLIGE”.

I started in the music business as a background singer and writer for Mary, then I began assisting her with her everyday needs and learning from her managers just watching, listening, and at times suggesting things. Then my sister asked me to come aboard & co-manage with her managers, who were on board at that time. That part of the music world was very different from singing and writing songs.

I did and I am still learning a lot in this music business. I want to let everyone know how my sister opened up doors for her family; and I really thank her for changing our lives. Now I am on the side of the business where I will get to see, feel and do what I always love doing. I will be writing & singing my own songs and someone else will be handling most of my business. The singing part of the business is a lot of work and dedication. I am a person who enjoy listening to all kinds of music and I will like to work and write with a lot of different writers. I have written and co- produced songs on a couple of albums for Mary. I have also written & co- written songs for Faith Evans and Mariah Carey’s former female group, “Allure” I also written for producer “Chucky Thompson” artist “Frankie”.

I don’t feel this gift will ever leave me. It is in my heart & spirit. Now is the time for me to share it with the world.”

-LaTonya Blige.com

Many celebs help their siblings by bringing them on board to help them to achieve their own success. Some may say this is also true of Mary J and her sister LaTonya, and after spending a wonderful breakfast with her a few weeks ago, I learned that this sister is exceedingly bright, classy, soulful and passionate.

Cocoa Cure: Tell us what kinds of things you’ve done in your career and which direction you’re leading into.

LaTonya Blige: Music-wise with my sister, I did background for her. With every manager that she would bring along she would ask that I co-manage, so I had to learn that. I didn’t know anything about [it]. I learned from a couple of great people. I was very eager to learn because I love the business part of it. Because of my sister I started my own publishing company. My family was brand new. I had just started my family, I was married, it was very hard traveling with her. My husband was very helpful. He knew us before stuff started happening. But you know, he wanted his wife home, and I wanted to be home with my husband and my kids, but I needed to work because these were the things that made our lifestyle and our life move. I’m moving into doing more my own thing, things I wanna do for me. Actually, this album – I wanted it to be for me, but I wanted to have other gospel artists . I wanted to do the writing and producing part of it, and I wanted to have different gospel artists perform the songs.

I’m not changing who I am, just changing some things in my life.

CC: You are sister to the Queen of Hip-Hop/R&B. Mary is an icon to her fans. Other than she being your sister, who is she to you? What type of inspiration has she been in your life?

LB: I like all my sister’s music. I always liked her style. You know, we grew up in music. My father’s a musician, and he always had us singing and doing something. And I knew she would always do something, either with hair or music (laughs).

CC: Do you feel a similar responsibility to reach out and touch peoples’ lives in such an impactful way?

LB: I don’t feel like it’s my obligation, but I feel like anybody who puts music out there – music is the tool, music makes people happy, sad, it helps them in their life so I feel like if you say something in your music you should use it in a good way. It should have something positive in there. It could just be two words.

CC: What has been your biggest challenge to overcome?

LB: The biggest challenge is just trying to keep the family together. That’s really important. The devil is really working on families.

CC: Have you ever thought about writing a book?

LB: It’s funny you say that. I journal. I’ve been keeping a diary since I was twelve years old and I’m forty years old. So eventually those journals will turn into books.

CC: What or who empowers you?

LB: Strong women, no matter what color. Strong families empower me. Communication’s the key to strong families.

CC: Was it a long journey to get to this awareness and wisdom?

LB: It’s a lot of work. But I’m happy with me. I’m happy with the woman I’m becoming.

CC: Who were you before?

LB: I was just somebody trying to do the right thing. ..by her family and friends. I was in the learning process of things. I don’t like nonsense. If I didn’t like something I would just shut down, but you have to deal with things to understand why these things are happening.