Toni Blackman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Toni Blackman
Background information
Also known as	Miss Blackman T-lala Virgo One
Born	Pittsburg, California, U.S.
Origin	San Francisco Bay Area, California
Genres	Hip hop, hip hop soul, global hip hop, spoken word
Occupation(s)	Rapper, lyricist, MC, freestyle MC, songwriter, poet, educator, author
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Independent Ear
Associated acts	Freestyle Union, Daughters of the Cipher, Hip Hop Arts Movement (HHAM), Rhyme like a Girl, Earthdriver

Toni Blackman is an American rapper and writer. She is well-known for her freestyle hip-hop skills. She made history as the first hip-hop ambassador for the U.S. State Department. This means she traveled to different countries to share hip-hop music and culture. She also helped choose other musicians for a program called "American Music Abroad." This program sends artists to perform around the world.

Toni Blackman's Journey and Career

Toni Blackman was the first Hip Hop Cultural Envoy to travel with the U.S. State Department. She visited countries like Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Ghana. In these places, she gave talks about hip-hop music and its culture. She also traveled through Europe, Brazil, and Southeast Asia. Her work helped promote peace and healing in areas affected by conflict.

Blackman started an organization called Freestyle Union. This group uses freestyle rap to teach people about being responsible in their communities. She also received special awards called fellowships. Through one of these, she launched "Rhyme Like A Girl." This program helps young women express themselves through hip-hop.

In 1992, while at Howard University, she founded the Hip Hop Arts Movement (HHAM). This group was a pioneer in hip-hop theater. Toni Blackman has performed at many famous places. These include the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and Lincoln Center in New York. She has also performed with famous artists like Erykah Badu and The Roots.

In 2009, Blackman spoke at an international conference in Italy. In 2010, she led a special art program. This program brought together girls from Liberia, Sudan, Somalia, and the United States. She also spoke at Harvard University. She even created a song with an Azerbaijani rap group called Dayirman.

Her Music

Toni Blackman has released several songs and meditations. They often focus on themes like self-reflection and personal growth.

• Walking Through The Fear Feat Zo And Toni Blackman
• Walking Through The Fear – GUIDED MEDITATION
• Walking Through The Fear – AFFIRMATION MEDITATION
• The F Word – a Hip Hop Meditation on Forgiveness – Toni Blackman