Award-winning US producer Paris Toon relocates to South Africa, works with local artists
“If you want to be successful in your purpose, you just need to do your purpose and the money will come,” says Toon.
Sara-Jayne Makwala King speaks to producer/songwriter, business strategist, and entrepreneur Paris Toon.
Listen below.
Boston-born, New York-raised music producer Paris Toon has fallen in love with South Africa.
Best known as the musical enigma behind 'Mother's Favorite Child', the award-winning songwriter has decided, after visiting Mzsansi on tour with the likes of CeCe Peniston and Robin S, that he kinda likes the vibe here.
He's set up a home in Cape Town's Northern Suburbs and now spends several months of the year in the country.
Toon says he's all about seeing the real South Africa.
"When you tour you see the best of everything and I wanted to see the real parts... The people were just so good to me."
- Paris Toon, Music producer/songwriter
Toon says while in Mzansi he soon realised that there was an abundance of local talent, but felt that a lack of music biz savvy and the history of the country was holding many artists back from reaching their potential.
"There's a lot of talented people, but based on the situations that have happened in South Africa, I felt like we already went through that in America, and if you just look at the history of America, you have the answers immediately... So, if you look at what worked and what didn't work and put that into play, it could change your life."
- Paris Toon, Music producer/songwriter
"What I'm trying to do now is just really show people that it's a global situation if you want to have good economics... If you live in South Africa, there's no reason for you not to be able to make Euro or USD, because of the internet.'"
- Paris Toon, Music producer/songwriter
US producer and songwriter Paris Toon, in studio with SJ Makwala King
And Toon is not just talking the talk, he's walking the walk too, putting his money where his mouth is and working with local artists.
His latest track 'Saturday' is a collaboration with Serena Lamb, Idols Top 5 finalist Zee Dyasi and singer/songwriter Jodi Fredricks.
"Zee Diyasi did pretty well on Idols, she's on 'Saturday'. Jodi's on backs [background vocals]; we're just waiting for her to do a record."
- Paris Toon, Music producer/songwriter
"When I came here a few years ago I met a guy by the name of Darren English. Well, Darren played with Maxwell and my people played with Maxwell also... I put him on the record as well."
- Paris Toon, Music producer/songwriter
Toon is clear about what success means to him, and it's not chasing the money.
"If you want to be successful in your purpose, you just need to do your purpose and the money will come."
- Paris Toon, Music producer/songwriter
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