You can hear it in the gentle rasp of his wave-washed vocal soul. You can see it in his smile. For Iam Tongi, music is about transformation – and it always has been. A Hawaiian-born singer-songwriter and the Season 21 champion of American Idol, the 20-year-old Tongi first picked up a ukulele in the fifth grade, immersed in a deeply musical world filled with the traditional singing and dance of Pacific Island cultures. Living in the small town of Kahuku on the northern tip of Ohau, Tongi learned to sing from his father, who in turned had learned from his father before him. Clearly blessed with an expressive, charismatic voice, Tongi was pushed hard and developed a multi-faceted sound blending island reggae with the influence of his family record collection – which included country (Kenny Rogers), classic rock (Dr. Hook), and R&B (Luther Vandross). By 13 Tongi had played his first show, but after moving to Seattle a few years later – and losing his father in 2021 – the young talent nearly gave music up completely. His mother secretly signed him up for American Idol, and after Tongi’s viral audition performance of James Blunt’s “Monsters” became one of Idol’s all time emotional highlights, he went on to win Season 21, making history as the first Pacific Islander to ever win the show. With a thriving fanbase which supports millions of global on-demand streams and social media followers and nationwide concert tours, Tongi now begins a new chapter of life and music. Teaming up with acclaimed songwriter/producer Johnny Reid, his 2024 single “Road to Hana” marks a creative transition leaning into his cultural heritage and musical roots – but also the man he’s become. Fusing breezy beach balladry and sunshine country with laid-back soul, gospel, and more, new music is in the works, as Tongi looks to spread a feel-good message of positivity to the horizon, and beyond.

🎶 Music. Where you will find peace and comfort 🎤🎼

For over 20 years, Richard Marx has consistently and powerfully made his mark on the music industry. His debut single “Don’t Mean Nothing” and self-titled debut album kicked off his career as a solo artist in 1987 and went on to sell 3 million copies. His 1989 follow-up CD, “Repeat Offender,” became even more successful, selling over 7 million copies worldwide. From 1987 to 1990, he became the first male solo artist in history to have his first 7 singles reach the top 5 on Billboard’s singles chart, including the 1 hits “Hold On to the Nights,” “Satisfied” and the worldwide classic, “Right Here Waiting.” This feat remains unchallenged.

He was nominated for Grammy awards 3 times and received an American Music Award nomination for favorite male singer. In 1992, he was awarded Best Selling Adult Contemporary Artist at the Billboard Music awards, and received the International Song of the Year Award at the Australian Music awards for his song, “Hazard,” from his double platinum CD, “Rush Street.” 1994′s “Paid Vacation” CD also went platinum and featured the single, “Now and Forever” which not only went top 10 on the Billboard Pop Chart, but spent a nearly record breaking 13 weeks at #1 on the Billboard AC Chart. In addition to selling over 30 million records, and writing, as of 2009, thirteen #1 songs, he remained a fixture on pop and adult contemporary radio for years, even as he emerged as a top producer working with some of the biggest names in the music business. Among those artists, *NSYNC, Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban, Vince Gill, 98°, Luther Vandross, Kenny Rogers, Sarah Brightman, Lara Fabian, Sister Hazel, The Tubes and SHeDAISY. More recently, he has written and produced records for Daughtry, Leann Rimes, Katherine Jenkins, Travis Tritt, Emerson Drive, Natalie Cole, Keith Urban, Paulina Rubio, Kenny Loggins, Chris Botti, Michael Bolton, and actor Hugh Jackman.

As his career began in 1987, Richard immediately got involved with many charitable organizations. By donating the royalties from his 1987 hit single, “Should’ve Known Better,” he helped build a room at the NYU Medical Center where pediatric cancer patients can play while at the hospital. In 1989, he wrote and recorded the song “Children of the Night” about the plight of homeless children on the streets and donated all the song’s royalties to the Children of the Night Foundation, which houses and reforms street kids. To date, the song has raised over $500,000. Additionally, he has performed benefit concerts for many organizations, including the TJ Martell Foundation, Toys For Tots, Make A Wish Foundation, the American Cancer Society, Best Buddies, and the Special Olympics. In 2005, Richard and his band flew to Kitzingen, Germany to perform for US troops stationed there, and as of 2008, he hosts an annual event in Chicago for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The first event featured a concert by Richard and the legendary Kenny Rogers.
Perhaps closest to Richard’s heart is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, whom he aligned with in 2000. He organized what has become an annual benefit concert to raise funds for research to cure the disease. The multi act, all-star concerts have, thus far, raised over $3 million.

In February 2004, Richard won the Song of the Year Grammy for “Dance With My Father,” which he wrote with the late Luther Vandross. It was a big night for several reasons. “It was the award itself,” says Richard. “For me and more importantly for Luther. I was proud.”

2005′s “Better Life,” a song written by Richard and Keith Urban which was included in Keith’s CD, the triple platinum “Be Here,” was the biggest hit single from the CD, spending 6 consecutive weeks at number 1 on Billboard’s Country Singles chart.

In the summer of 2006, Richard was asked to join “Ringo Starr’s All-Star Band” for a North American tour of 22 cities. Richard played guitar in the band supporting Ringo and others, including Billy Squier, and performed his own hits at each show. Ringo and Richard recently co-wrote a song for Ringo’s upcoming CD in 2010.

In 2007, Keith Urban released another song co-written by Richard, “Everybody” from his “Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Thing” CD. The song went top 5 on the Country charts.

In 2008, Richard began touring with Vertical Horizon lead singer, Matt Scannell, as an acoustic duo. They released a CD, “Duo” on iTunes, and played shows throughout the US. They continue to do occasional shows together and are releasing a live CD in early 2010, followed by an electric rock record as a duo.

On September 22, 2009, Richard will release a new solo CD, “Emotional Remains.” The modern rock record, produced by Richard, features contributions by Matt Scannell, Jennifer Hanson and Kenny Loggins. Richard will be touring internationally to support the CD.

Coolio, the multi-talented Grammy Award winning and multi-platinum selling artists, composer and actor, is one of the most popular and successful
Rappers worldwide. To date, Coolio has sold over 30 million records globally and has performed in concerts to adoring fans in Africa, Israel, Russia, Japan, Thailand, Brazil, Australia, and Turkey and throughout Europe. In the diversified hip hop industry, Coolio is one of the few rap artists who has been able to garner mainstream success and critical acclaim. The last Lp entitled “The Return of the Gangsta” was released in August 2006 and Coolio teamed up with long time friend Snoop Dogg for the undeniable hit “Gangsta Walk”. “Return of the Gangsta” sold over 525,000 copies.

On the new album “From the Bottom to the Top” Coolio changed his style and opened up to working with many European and International Dj’s such as Benny Benassi, Ives la rock, and Paul Oakenfold just to name a few. He also got the aide of his nephew Goast Smoke, and his son A.I. who are featured artists on the album as well and are the first two artists on Coolio and Goast’s Super Cool/Goast Entertainment label. The first single is collaboration with Coolio and the Oscar winner “Ennio Morricone” one of the most famous soundtrack composers of the last 50 years. 

Coolio won a Grammy Award in 1996 for Best Rap Performance, Solo for his international hit single, “Gangsta’s Paradise” which was also featured on the “Dangerous Minds” soundtrack and movie. The single “Gangsta’s Paradise” was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Song of the Year and it sold over 4 million copies and was Billboard Magazine’s number one single in 1995. Coolio has won an American Music Award, 3 MTV Awards, 2 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards and a World Music Award. He has received 6 Grammy Award nominations (1994,1995,1996), 2 Billboard Music Awards(1994,1996), 2 ASCAP Awards(1996, 1997), 3 MTV Video Awards(1996, 1997), 4 American Online Awards(1996) and was the Playboy Music Poll Winner in 1997.

Coolio’s Album “El Cool Magnigico” was released in Europe o Jan 15, 2003 and the featured artists on that album included hip-hop performer Miss Toi, country legend Kenny Rogers, Krazye Bone from Bone thugs n Harmony, B-real of Cypress Hill and Daz Dillinger. Associated Press stated that, “Coolio returns to Hip-Hop with El Cool Magnifico, and every track on the disc is a winner.” The New York Post praised the album and wrote “El Cool Magnifico is excellent from top to bottom”. The album sold over 1.8 million copies worldwide. El Cool Magnifico has ghetto wisdom and a musicality that gives this collection a reach beyond hip-hop. No stranger to the world of Cartoons, Coolio recorded the single and music video “Dexter (what’s his name) for Dexter’s Laboratory: Home Boy genius-The Hip-Hop Experiment. This was a creative and fun album featuring big name hip-hop artists such as De La Soul and Will I Am. The Hip-Hop Experiment album features original songs inspired by Dexter’s Laboratory, the top rated, Emmy nominated Cartoon Network series.

Coolio was immortalized as a Claymation figure in the highly successful “Lipton Brisk” beverage commercials. His character appears with Elvis and the Godfather of Should himself, James Brown in commercial sketch advertising the popular beverage.

Turning to the world of sports, Coolio performed in Concert at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City for the athletes, VIP’s and officials the night before opening ceremonies. He also performed at the Ice Village 2 nights later for extreme sports fans with the likes of Common, Erika Byadoo, The Roots, and Twalib Kwali and Most Def. Funny thing here is that coolio enjoys to Snowboard any chance he gets, and that is what turned him on to performing at the Winter Olympic Games in 2002.

Coolio has successfully made the transition from performer to actor and enjoys balancing both professions. He co-stars in the motion picture Retirement with Bill Cobb, Peter Falk, Charlie Murphy and Rip Torn. The film features music from Coolio’s “Return of the Gangsta” album. Coolio has also starred in several HBO films and series as well as having a cameo role in the Batman Film in 1996. His most recent TV accomplishments include his Hit reality TV show on the Oxygen Network “Coolio’s Rules” and his hilariously acclaimed internet cooking show, Cooking with Coolio which has now logged over 4 million hits on the web. Coolio has also recorded songs for several Major Motion pictures including: Space Jam, Clueless, The Big Payback, Panther, New Jersey Drive, The Jerk Boys, Eddie, Half Baked and many more. He also composed the theme song for the popular kids TV series KENAN on nickelodeon. 

Coolio is to be recognized as one of the most accomplished and influential Rap Stars of Our time! He is known for being one of the rappers that help cross over hardcore hip-hop into the music mainstream community. He will forever be held as one of the West Coast Greatest and He is truly a Hip Hop Legend!

His book, Cookin' with Coolio: 5 Star Meals at a 1 Star Price is currently available in the US.

Juan Mony is following