I recently made contact the daughter of Rosie Gaines, LaToya Gaines on her Instagram page @toyagaines. I tracked her down after seeing a video on YouTube of another industry person talking about her. I remembered seeing pictures of her in 2018 when the PRN Alumni created the Rosie Gaines t-shirts as a fundraiser to aid Rosie in funds for her health issues. At that time, I remembered that Latoya had made a few appearances and did a few interviews with some podcasts/bloggers about the fundraiser and her mom. What I didn't remember is that she has followed in the music footsteps of her mother and is a singer, songwriter, and producer too. Our conversation went something like this..

Ameda: Hi Toya! Just heard about you today. Your mom was and is my fav lady that Prince ever had in his band. Is there a way to for me to hear some of your work online? I am always looking for new music from the younger folks that come from under the Minneapolis umbrella.

Toya: Hello, Sure I actually have some studio sessions coming up this week, but I can also send you some links from YouTube that I worked on.

Ameda: That would be great! I love exposing music to folks who may not be aware that is out there. Especially when it comes to those connected to the Minneapolis Music Scene. I believe it's important to show that the music is still alive and well. I do keep up with your mom's Facebook page, but was like "How come nobody tells us about others who are out there?" So I am always searching for people who are connected to the Minneapolis Scene but are not known about to the general public.

Toya: I work with lots of hip-hop artists and I write for others including my mom. I've wrote and sang background for her since I was very young.

Ameda: That's great! Anything you want to share, I will share it on my social media pages too.

Toya then goes on to send me a video clip of a piece she is/has worked on that is uploaded on her instagram page @toyagaines titled BABY YOU KNOW I GOT WHAT YOU NEED. She then proceeds to send me YouTube links of some of her work.

Song such as
"Day In Da Bay( feat. Toya Gaines)" from SHAHEED AKA MISTER REAL album titled KAMILLION

"Don't Stop feat. Latoya Gaines" from E-NUTT album UNDER THE SUN

"Dark Secrets ( feat. Billy Rose) from D-SHOT album GHETTO

This is when Toya told me she also goes by the stage name Billy Rose at times

"Ride or Die (feat. LaToya Gaines) from PRINCERE album I AM PRINCERE

"Let Me Live" Lexx (f. Toya) from album LEXX CONNECTED

"My Folks" from 2 OF MY CREW album DANKARISTICPIMPSHIT

"Girls Say" from THE JACKA album THE JACK ARTIST

"Moves (unreleased) TAYDA MAC, RYDAH J KLYDE, MONTY MAC, ERRYDAY from RYDAH J. KLYDE album IN M.O.B. WE TRUST

"Slowman" from ROSIE GAINES album CLOSER THAN CLOSE

*Toya sang background vocals on this song. also Toya is credited as a co-writer on Rosie's CLOSER THAN CLOSE album for the song

"I Almost Love You"

After sending me that intro list of songs to check out, she states "I have songs but they are not in format to send you, but when I go to work this week I will send you more. I of course expressed my gratitude for her willingness to share. It was at this point in the conversation that she informs me "My son is also recording. He's 15 years old. We all play instruments" She goes on to say that she is dropping a solo project in 2021 and that she also does rock music. I then asked her if she would be willing to answer some intro questions that give us some insight to her journey in the world of music. She was pleased and willing to do so. Below is the Questions posed and her responses...

1. What is your earliest musical memory?

My earliest musical memory is when I was 2, my mom recorded me for the first time on an 8 track singing with her.

2. How old were you when you knew you had to be a musician?
I was 4 years old when I knew I had to be a musician, I wrote, sang, and rapped my first song called "Be Yourself" produced by my mother, Rosie Gaines.

3. Which do you prefer writing, producing, or performing?
I love it all. Writing, producing and performing.

4. What type of music do you find yourself gravitating to?
I gravitate to every genre of music. I even took classical training in Opera when I was young. I sing rock, hip-hop, everything.

5. Do you have a favorite song?

I don't have a favorite song because it's so many great songs out there. It's hard to say. I love so many artists

6. What instruments do you play?

I play piano, drums, guitar a bit, and bass also.

7. Tell me about the last song you wrote.
I'm actually currently writing and I'm not done. It's never a last song LOL!

8. What is the funniest thing that has happened in a recording session?

The funniest thing that's happened in a session is one of the times I brought my son to work. He was just on 1000 being very goofy, dancing crazy making me laugh when I was supposed to be singing getting me in trouble as usual.

9. What are you working on at the moment?

I just got a call from the great legend EASKI to do a collab with him. Which I writing soon as I'm done with these questions.

10. Do you have any shows planned?

Unfortunately due to COVID no shows no time soon.

11. How can fans support you and your music?

Fans can support me by being honest about my art. I love to hear different opinions on my work.