Artist Spotlight

Meet Tone Troy, A Multi-talented Artist who Is Rewriting History In The Music Industry

Known to bring out the “powerful dance music experience” anywhere he steps, is none other than a multi-faceted artist, Tone Troy. He is a Platinum and award-winning artist who has become immersed in the ever-House Music scene of New York City. From firefighting throughout Manhattan to performing on some of the biggest electronic music stages in the world, he has quickly surged up the ranks as one of New York’s premier music producers. His musical taste is shaped primarily by the surging presence of Brooklyn nightlife.

His familiar yet new-age sound comes with unstoppable force as he releases his high-energy hit “show me”. His commitment to the musical history of the past and present has led to a collection of productions that are guaranteed to have a crowd emotionally invested from start to finish.

Listen to “show me” on Spotify:

Hello there, welcome to Honk Magazine. Can you tell our readers about what really inspired you to write music?

Tone Troy – Writing music came a bit later into my music career weirdly enough. So I was DJing in Brooklyn for a few years before I decided to give the production a try. Thankfully my background in digging for music helped in creating a bit of a sound for myself.

When did you realize you were going to make music professionally?

Tone Troy – I think this really came to light after my first gig in London. Fortunately, my music has taken me to places I never thought I’d go to. I saw my name on a poster outside of this club I was going to play in Shoreditch, and it was such a surreal moment. I knew then what I wanted for this and what I wanted for myself.

Tell us what is so unique about you and your music?

Tone Troy – Well, I am currently balancing a life working actively in music and as a firefighter in NYC. There are a lot of sleepless nights on both sides of the coin here. My music is unique in the idea that I never want any of my songs to sound the same. I want to one day be able to do an open-to-close set with just my music and have every song have the right place at the right time in the story of the set. I’ve had songs that are perfect for a daytime brunch, and tracks that only work at 3 am in a basement. I want to be able to write a complete story with my prior works and have each song sound like it’s from “Tone Troy”.

Can you tell us about your latest releases and what inspired you to create them?

Tone Troy – As of March, I dropped a little passion project EP that’s an ode to some more old-school house. That is a 3 track EP called “Show Me”. Definitely not geared for club play, but something I made in my off time and enjoyed enough to want to get people to hear it.

Next track I’m very excited for. I have a collaboration with Kyle Kinch on one of my favorite labels. Our track is called “Pheromones” and it is definitely going to shake up the clubs. I’ve been a fan of Kyle for a while and we connected on IG. I think we banged the track out in like a week. It came together so perfectly and I can’t wait to see how it is received.

Can you give us a brief insight into your upcoming projects?

Tone Troy – After the track with Kyle, I have another one coming out with my friend Will OB on Purple Tea in May. Waiting on a few other contracts to be sent on some other tunes so I can’t open up on those just yet, but one label interested is one I’ve been trying to get on for a bit. Outside of the records, my collective “The Assembly” should be kicking off our boat party series in NYC sometime in May/June, and that’s always a good time. I’m very excited about the warmer weather this year!

What do you wish you were told when you first started making music that you think would help artists just starting out?

Tone Troy – Take it day by day. Don’t overwhelm yourself. At the end of the day, your creativity needs to thrive for you to succeed. Give yourself space when needed, and know when it’s time to work.

What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) that you are passionate about?

Tone Troy – Fitness and video games. Ironic because they don’t go hand in hand at all.

Any last piece of advice for those artists who just started making music?

Tone Troy – This isn’t a competition. There is room for everyone in this industry. Connect and make a team. A rising tide brings up all ships.

How can our readers follow you online?

Tone Troy – Follow me on Instagram – @tonetroy

Tweet LinkedIn PinShares0

Artist Spotlight

Crispy C Notes brings focused ambition on latest release “Chosen”

Crispy C Notes’ hip-hop release “Chosen” makes a statement with purpose and conviction. The record is clear about its artistic identity, with the independent Connecticut artist behind Alien Trap and Relatable Rap letting his commanding vocal presence lead the charge. The production returns to a hip-hop base and cuts out unnecessary frills, so the lyrics and performance can take center stage.

The song’s strength lies in its delivery. Crispy C Notes glides through measured cadences with sure-footedness, giving each verse gravity and lift. His writing is always spot-on, emphasizing determination and personal conviction with a clean lyrical approach. The sparse production plays to the song’s advantage, highlighting the vocal performance without overpowering it. It’s a balance that makes the listener feel that every rhythmic change and lyrical accent is intentional and serves to emphasize the record’s overarching message.

“Chosen” works because it knows that impact is often a matter of clarity, rather than complexity. C Notes is confident not only in his delivery but also in his songwriting, allowing his personality to flow organically throughout the track. The result is a record that is disciplined in its production but engaging from start to finish, thanks to its expressive flow and thoughtful lyricism. He delivers a project that is a true reflection of artistic growth and creative focus as an independent artist who is still finding his own lane. “Chosen” is a bold statement of self that leaves the listener with a clear impression of the artist’s vision and the direction in which he continues to move.

Connect with Crispy C Notes on Spotify || Instagram || Youtube

Tweet LinkedIn PinShares0

Artist Spotlight

Maija breathes new life into classic emotion with latest release “Where Is the Love”

Maija’s version of “Where Is the Love” is a graceful, emotionally rich offering that pulls listeners into a modern jazz experience of warmth, sophistication, and heartfelt storytelling. From the opening, the song establishes a reflective mood, mixing expressive vocals with polished instrumentation that feels both classic and contemporary. The trumpet’s sophisticated sound, combined with other exquisitely curated elements of jazz, creates a vibe that’s smooth, enveloping, and effortlessly sophisticated.

And the lyric narrative has this feeling of longing, of broken promises and unanswered questions that feels very personal. Love, honesty, and emotional ambivalence are the main themes as the story unfolds, providing a connection to the song’s sincere viewpoint for the listeners. Maija eschews dramatic flourishes, leaving the expressive delivery and tasteful jazz arrangement to do the emotional heavy lifting. The trumpet, with its own soulful voice, gracefully weaves around the melody, and the supporting instrumentation adds to the song’s intimate character.

The production is slick but not overdone, letting the song’s lyrics speak for themselves. Whether you’re attracted to its expressive vocals, its polished instrumentation, or its relatable emotional themes, “Where Is the Love” is a compelling reminder that honest storytelling and thoughtful musicianship continue to define the very best moments in modern jazz.

Connect with Maija on Spotify || Instagram || Facebook || Youtube