TONI
Toni Ménage launched her career at just 14, scoring her first hit under the name “Little Toni Marsh” with “Video Burnout” on Prism Records—now hailed as an international dance classic. By 15, she had already caught the attention of the legendary Stevie Wonder, who signed her to his Tamla Records roster, mentoring her as both a songwriter and performer.
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A few years later, Toni signed with MCA Records as part of The Soul Club. Their single “I Want Your Guy” earned a nomination at the Rhythm & Blues Music Association Awards, where she performed in the finale alongside stars like Bobby Brown, Cameo, Dionne Warwick, and Jocelyn Brown. At 17, Toni became the original backup vocalist for the multi-platinum group Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam (Columbia Records), known for their timeless hits “I Wonder If I Take You Home,” “Can You Feel the Beat,” and “All Cried Out.”
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In the early 1990s, Toni joined the group JADE as a background vocalist, appearing on the first-ever live BET listening party. Throughout the years, she has remained closely connected with Lisa Lisa, evolving from collaborator to serving as her manager and musical director.
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Today, Toni not only appears as a central figure in the upcoming A&E Lifetime biopic Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story but also serves as an executive producer on the film. Her career has spanned major stages and television appearances worldwide, including Unsung on TV One, where she is featured as an original back-up vocalist of Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam.
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Beyond performance, Toni is the founder of Menage Works Inc., a full-service management company, and SoDisrespectful Music, which provides touring bands, vocalists, and musicians.
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From child star to mentor, manager, and creative visionary, Toni Ménage’s journey embodies passion, reinvention, and resilience. Her legacy continues to intertwine artistry, entrepreneurship, and an unwavering commitment to lifting others along the way.
Interview with Toni
You and your band members play everywhere from underground Village hot spots to Madison Square Gardens, TV shows and Award ceremonies. Why play weddings?
There is something unique about being part of a couple’s biggest day. There is such joy in that moment. We are musicians and we love to play great music. But the thrill you get from harnessing the energy at a wedding and making the experience unforgettable – that doesn’t get better than at a wedding. You cant touch it.
Yes, we perform all over, from underground venues in the village to Madison Square Garden. Each performance is thrilling in its own way. But a wedding has another dimension and gives us the opportunity to truly make a difference and touch the hearts of two individuals who have fallen in love.
Most recently, Maroon 5 captured this in their video Sugar, when they surprised different couples with impromptu performances. The pure joy and love of that day is unrepeatable. You don’t get that anywhere else. It captures everyone, all ages from tiniest bridesmaid to greatest grandmother!. As a musician the reward is immense. as a band, it feeds our energy and fills the room turning the evening into THE BEST PARTY EVER.
I'm surprised you don't do more weddings. Why is that?
We limit the number of weddings we do because we want to give a very personalized very attentive service. You can’t do that if you have one tomorrow and the day after and the day after that – that’s what gets you cookie cutter formulaic performance. Exhausting and unrewarding. We like to prepare, rehearse the new songs requested and make sure that we are bringing exactly what the bride and groom envision and then, we like to have the room to exceed their expectations. You simply can’t deliver our level of high quality, flawless performances if you are over committed.
There's a lot of stress and emotion in a wedding. Does that make it harder to do your job?
We have a lot of experience – both on and off stage. Weddings are complicated events. Weddings are emotional events. But that’s what makes them special. The father’s dance with the bride. That moment is a one time thing. After that things are never the same. These powerful moments are rare in life. We get to be a part of it. Its beautiful. Its precious. We understand that and we give it our all. We know how much it means to the couple and their family.