Catalina Toma is a powerful Romanian singer and prolific songwriter, widely known as the “Best Voice In Romania.” She is a performer’s performer who draws from some of the best R&B, Jazz, Opera and Pop artists (including Michael Jackson, Aaliyah, Terence Trent D'Arby, Prince, D'Angelo, Terrell Carter, Ginuwine, Timbaland, Vitas, Kelly Price, and Steve Wonder) for her inspiration.
Catalina introduced a soulful yet rich R&B sound to her native country in 1999 with the release of her well-received self-titled project. Her innovative style, unique look, rebel attitude and very personal lyricism and music were showcased along side an incredible vocal range. This small package with the sultry sexy voice instantly catapulted Catalina to the top of the national charts culminating in her receiving numerous awards including "Best Female Voice" (1999) and "Video Of The Year" for “Why My Lord” in 2001.
Catalina took an introspective sabbatical to hone her chops and to develop her own sound further. This rising star is now ready to release her third studio collaboration, appropriately entitled "INVINCIBLE" because, with her style, chops, and spirit she most certainly remains so.
To this date, Catalina has released two titles and continues to be known for her ahead-of-the-times originality and creativity. Join with her team and fans across the globe in welcoming Catalina to an invincible 2011 and more music, spirit, and development to come!
Despite a difficult genesis and through hard work and raw talent, Catalina has proven herself by defying her own personal goals and the odds for an up and coming artist. Her first foray into the music industry was in 1995 after graduating from music school in Romania as one of the best in class. She would follow up graduation with music festivals and a plethora of competitive events and contests around Romania. Along the way not only did she improve her stage presence and versatility, she walked away with first place honors at nearly each venue. With such growing acclaim it is no wonder that local, renowned artists in the Romanian music industry and Eastern European circles became points for collaboration with a steady stream of growing label interest. One of the hit songs featured her alongside BUG Mafia titled "Never-ending Story." This cut became an instant hit and received serious spin from popular known stations to some of the most conservative radio stations in her home country including ones heretofore that would never play any Hip Hop branded music.
With three years of dedicated and steady efforts, she landed a deal with Cat Music Media Services leading to the release of her self-titled debut album. Produced by Don Baxter, Andrei Kerestely, and Catalina, her project was an immediate success even though the R&B genre was so long nearly untouched by Romanian artists. The first of the songs written by Catalina, Don Baxter and Andrei Kerestely to become a major hit was the track entitled "EU DE VOI VREA/ IF I WANT TO." This single from her project firmly established Catalina's status as the best Romanian voice winning her "The Bucharest Award For Best Female Voice” and placing her solidly at the top of the charts. The album self-titled Catalina hit the stores soon after coinciding with Romanian televisions beginning to broadcast more R&B videos and positively promote Urban American culture and music. Unbeknownst to her and her team, Catalina's rise was now at the center of the efforts to bring a western touch to an underserved music industry that was at the cusp of growth in Romania.
Catalina quickly became one of the most recognizable faces being featured on the covers of all music-themed magazines. Not to be outdone or considered soft, the ethereal and counter culture beauty decided to appear in a Playboy pictorial, gracing the second Romanian issue of the magazine. Yet, as show of what continues to be her indefatigable spirit, she only agreed on partial nudity. As a follow up project and riding the waves of success of her first project, Catalina introduced the world to, "Who's the Woman" which she produced and wrote on the heels of a tragic moment in music history; the passing away of Aaliyah, the most ardent inspiration of her music alongside Michael Jackson. Catalina warmly included a heartfelt note on the cover out of respect. After a very well received single "Why My Lord", a powerful ballad (that brought Catalina Romania's MTV award for the Best Video of the Year), was released, differences arose with her and the label culminating in an eventual parting of ways.
Catalina completely took control of her career despite the push from her former label to make her more mainstream and commercial. She took an extended break from the public eye. Learning various new instruments, production tools and skills and then building her own studio, this force started producing her own music and developing her next project. Aspiring to find purity in everything she does and to express that side of her musically and creatively, Catalina desires for her music to represent everything she was and is becoming. And more. She connected to a more spiritual pulse from within to present this new, rich path to her fans and fans to come.
Catalina is undoubtedly a milestone in the Romanian and Eastern European music industry; a trendsetter that will continue to be relevant. This time, however, she is part of a new genesis to break the boundaries of expectations in her native Europe and abroad making her music and her voice known around the world !
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