Tonii Connects With Us On The Release Of “talk me thru it,” A Bold, Flirt-Forward Moment Of Confidence, Desire, And Queer Expression
- STAFF
- Jan 30
- 6 min read
By: Staff
“talk me thru it” captures Tonii in full command of her artistry, delivering bold energy, sensual confidence, and undeniable presence.
Tonii captures a lot of thrilling moments in her latest release “talk me thru it.” The track arrives with confidence, unfolding like a slow burn that pulls you in before you even realize what is happening. It is bold without being loud, sensual without being obvious, and driven by a very powerful sense of self-assurance.
Behind the song is an artist who understands the power of control, vulnerability, and storytelling.
We spoke with Tonii about the inspiration behind the track, the emotions that shaped it, and the creative risks that brought it to life. From the quiet tension that sparked the song to the confidence that drives it forward, the conversation opens a deeper window into the world she is building.
Dive in below to hear Tonii break it all down in her own words.
Keep scrolling to get into it with Tonii.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Tonii, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview about your release of talk me thru it! We've had an amazing time exploring it diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more excited to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. We absolutely love “talk me thru it”. Your vocals are such a standout. The flirtiness, the tone, and the way you carry the emotion all make it a really captivating experience. Why did you choose this title, and what does that phrase unlock emotionally that another title wouldn’t?
A. I wanted a title that felt as bold and flirtatious as the song itself. I kept hearing “ i know he/she talks her through it” floating around on social media and I was drawn to how unapologetically it centers communication and desire in intimacy. For me, it’s about claiming my own assertiveness and being clear about what I want and how I want it. That phrase unlocks a sense of confidence and control that another title wouldn’t; it invites vulnerability, but on my terms.
Q. This song captures a very specific moment. The glance across the room, the pause, the internal spiral before anything actually happens. What drew you to writing about that suspended moment instead of the outcome?
A. It came directly from personal experience. There’s this classic sapphic moment where two people are clearly drawn to each other, but neither makes the first move. I’ve absolutely been that girl! That suspended space is charged with intensity and bursting with imagination. Everything is possible and nothing has happened yet. I was more interested in capturing the tension and passion than the outcome, because I find something so beautiful in that delicate dance of anticipation and desire.
Q. So much of the emotion in this track lives in what isn’t said. How do you know when a lyric should hold back and let the listener step into the story themselves?
A. I like to guide the listener into the world of the song but I don’t want to tell them how to feel. I want them to explore themselves as much as I do during my songwriting process. In order to do that I have to allow space for them to expand on the story with their own imagination and memories.
Q. This release feels more playful and flirty than your usual romantic ballads. What part of yourself did you get to express here that maybe hadn’t had space before?
A. I love a soft, romantic ballad, but it felt exciting to step into something more playful and unapologetic. This song belongs to a woman who’s done waiting for permission. It gave me space to let my Scorpio rising lead and be bolder, more confident, and more direct. Writing it showed me that I’ve always known what I wanted; I just hadn’t said it out loud yet. Those days are over. This year, I’m taking it.
Q. You’ve built an audience through music that centers around Black queer love. When you’re writing, are you thinking about community and representation, or are you writing first from a personal place and letting the connection happen naturally?
A. Both! All of my music comes from a deeply personal place where I can process my emotions and relationships. At the same time, I’m very connected to my community and consider myself tapped into what’s needed. So much of our intimate world has yet to be reflected in what we consume. I want to change that by always centering the dynamic, layered journeys of Black Queer love.
Q. We were really impressed by the rap section. It feels like a pivotal moment in the song and a real shift in energy. Since this is your first release where you rap in the final verse, what inspired that decision, and how did stepping into that delivery change how you felt inside the song?
A. I’m so empowered by the women running the rap game right now! As I was writing, I imagined a powerhouse presence on the track. Someone with the confidence and command of an artist like Doechii. I wasn’t in a place to bring in a feature YET, but I didn’t want that to stop the progress of the song, so I stepped into it myself. In writing that verse I was fueled by the women who’ve poured into me creatively over the years like Beyoncé, Doechii, and Meg the Stallion. Delivering it shifted my energy inside the song. It felt electric to claim more space, try something new, and show another side of myself to my audience.
Q. Looking back at the version of yourself who wrote this song, what do you think she was craving at that moment that this song helped fulfill?
A. I was craving a grown and sexy dance track that centered women loving other women. As a songwriter, I listen very closely to the lyrics, and it can be hard to fully sink into a track when the lyrics heavily revolve around hetero dynamics. I want queer nightlife experiences to be celebrated and our perspective to be amplified in music; especially since the queer community pioneers the underground culture where dance music thrives and shapes future mainstream sound.
Q. Do most of your songs come directly from your own life and lived experiences, or do you sometimes step into imagined scenarios?
A. I’ve always written my music to better understand my own life. I often find myself uncovering even more than I expect about myself. First while I’m writing, then again when I’ve started recording the song, and again when I start to perform it for others.
Q. You created this song in your home studio. How does working in that private space shape the sound, emotion, and honesty that come through in the final track?
A. I get to truly make the space exactly what I need for the song. I think because it was recorded in my bedroom alone, I got to really play around and lean into the lyrics without the stress of being perceived.
Q. If you had just one sentence to intrigue someone about this song and its meaning, what would you tell them to make them want to press play?
A. Press play if you’re tired of asking for what you want and need to shake some ass!
Q. After releasing something that’s both beautiful and exciting, and that clearly stretches you creatively, what questions are you asking yourself now about where your music wants to go next?
A. With each release I’ve had in my career, I’ve discovered something new about myself and pushed past the boundaries and expectations of genres and industry. I want to continue on that path and explore even more genres. I don’t want to be known as a woman who only does one thing. I want to be known as a person who's explored many sides of themselves, unapologetically.
Tonii, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Tonii’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
Now, click the links below to experience this incredible work firsthand!
