LaToya TiLLis

Tell everyone who you are and what you do?.

I’m LaToya Tillis and I’m a singer/ songwriter from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

What motivated you to be a singer?

I think I always loved to sing naturally but Sister Act 2 truly solidified it for me. After watching that movie, I knew I wanted to go to school for music and have a career as an artist. I grew up in the 90’s so the sound makers of R&B certainly had an impact on my taste in music.

How was your experience playing the role “Effie” in Dream Girls?

Playing the role of “Effie” in Dream Girls was terrifying! During the rehearsal process, I was holding back so much that the director, Machele Miller Dill, cleared the studio and pulled me aside and said “you can’t hide anymore.” I did not audition for the role and there were a lot of amazing singers in Tulsa who I really admired who auditioned. I needed that role to understand that my journey is very similar to the character Effie. Effie’s character is a story of triumph and overcoming. It is a story of overcoming self-doubt, the pressures of the industry, love, and relationships. I always thought of Effie as a caricature and in playing her, I felt all the nuances that made her relatable and human.

Tell us more about the Sony Music Publishing contest. The first Cover Song Contest in partnership with Sony Music Publishing is very exciting and I hope it grows to be as big as other televised talent competition shows! Masterpiece Studios is a recording studio in Detroit, Michigan. It is the first studio built by a woman, awardwinning songwriter Sylvia Moy, and is now owned and operated by her estate.

Sylvia Moy was a songwriter and producer for Motown who is best known for writing the hit song “Uptight (Everything Alright)” for Stevie Wonder, then 12, when the label was concerned about his voice changing and not having any songs. Sylvia directly rescued his career.

The Cover Song Contest is the brainchild of Celeste Moy, Esq. and her siblings. They wanted to honor the legacy of their sister Sylvia and also pay tribute to the great songwriters from the 50s to today who wrote the songs that that have been the soundtrack of our lives for decades.

What makes the Cover Song Contest stand out from other competitions is that it gives artists the ability to be creative and showcase their creative process. We were all given a list of songs to recreate in our respective genres. It was super fun to participate in as well as view the other artists who entered!

Where do you see yourself in the next three years?

In three years, I see myself being a full-time musician and creating albums that will reach the masses. I want to work with as many artists, songwriters, musicians, and producers as possible. I also act and would love to star in films similar to Sister Act 2.

If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be?

If I could perform anywhere in the world I would love to perform at the BET Awards, Glastonbury Festival, The Super Bowl, The Grammys, Wembley Stadium…the list goes on and on. Large venues and festivals!

What has been one of the biggest accomplishments you’ve received in your career?

One of the biggest accomplishments I have received in my career is being selected for Masterpiece Sound Studios Cover Contest. It is such an honor and joy to get to sing classics from wonderful artists and musicians! Words can’t express how thankful I am.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Regular musicians practice until they get it right. Professional musicians practice until they can’t get it wrong.

Are you working on any new projects or upcoming events?

I am working on several single records right now and currently looking to build an all-female African American 5-piece band called Powrrr. The name is a spin on empowerment and being powerful. Someone once told me that power means the ability to get things done and I’m determined to do just that, no matter how long it takes! I also just put out a single with supertalented singer-songwriter Derran Day that everyone should check out called “Come Over”! We were freshmen together at Berklee College of Music so it was awesome to have worked with him on the song.

Where can the readers follow you? Follow me on Instagram ; @LaToyaTillisMedia for the latest updates!