There must be something in the water in Oakland, California that produced musical talent that heavily dominated in the early to mid ’90s from the likes of various illustrious R&B/hip hop artists. Raphael Saadiq just recently announced his participation in reuniting with founding members, brother D’wayne Wiggins and cousin Timothy Riley, of the influentially groundbreaking R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné! for the first time in 15 years.
According to a press release, via I AM GLOBAL Network, Tony! Toni! Toné! will take part in “… the ‘Bay Area Reunion’ concert on October 12 at Oakland Arena (7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA.) Legendary bay area-bred acts MC Hammer, Digital Underground and special surprise guests are also set to perform at the historic musical event, and tickets are available for purchase via Ticketmaster.”
Saadiq who recorded with Tony! Toni! Toné! since their inception in 1988 right up until releasing the group’s fourth and final album 1996’s House of Music which spawned the hit single “Let’s Get Down” track co-produced and featured DJ Quik. Previously reported in VIBE September 2018, Saadiq had expressed doubts that the original founding members would reunite citing, “I think that ship has sailed.” Saadiq was in good spirits with his counterparts at that time, considering the other two members of the group are related to him, but Saadiq went on to further comment on the prospects of a reunion saying:
“I really wish we could give that [reunion] to people but I really think that ship has sailed. We’re just going to use the internet and talk to people to give people a good experience, so we could have a good experience.”
However, Saadiq had a change of heart with his previous reluctance in reuniting with Tony! Toni! Toné! “…until revealing his excitement about the reunion during a recent interview on the DL Hughley Show. Tony! Toni! Tone! burst onto the R&B music scene in the late 1980’s and sold millions of records including hits ‘Anniversary,’ ‘Feels Good‘ and ‘Whatever You Want.'”
The press release regarding the Tony! Toni! Toné! reunion show concluded with:
“Tickets for the once in a lifetime event begin at $40, and fans can purchase VIP Floor seats for just $102.90 that include a commemorative T-Shirt.”
UPDATE (11/19): The Bay Area Reunion concert has been postponed and will now take place on Thanksgiving eve, November 27. Tickets purchased for the 10/12 event will still be honored via Ticketmaster. In addition to changing the date of the performance, two more Bay Area artists have been added to the lineup. Luniz, the Oakland rap duo best known for the iconic weed anthem “I Got 5 On It,” will be performing at the show. Further, Oakland R&B trio En Vogue will bring “Free Your Mind” and more of their ’90s hits to the Bay Area Reunion concert, which takes place at the Oakland Arena.
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