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Toby Love grew up like most Latinos, surrounded by a lot of music. With both parents musically inclined, it was only natural for him to follow in their footsteps. As he recalls, it was in his blood. So, when he met the members of the group now known as Aventura and was asked to join, it was a no-brainer.

After being part of the history making band for the last 6 years, Toby Love is stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist. He proves that he has something new to offer Latinos with his fusion sound he calls "crunkchata." While promoting his debut self titled release, Love sits down with nocheLatina to discuss how he plans to break musical barriers and why he loves bachata music.

You have a new album that hit the stores September 5th, tell me about it.

Yeah, it's self titled Toby Love. It’s a fusion of bachata, R&B, crunk, hip-hop and reggaeton. It has Latin roots but it has all this stuff is mixed with it. I am tying something new.

I hear you call it "Crunkchata," how did you come up with that name?

It was us in the studio bugging out. We took the word "bachata" and then we put crunk while we were doing a track called "Cadillac" featuring Voltio. So, I was like we have to add some crunk to it, and we just put it together because it's bachata with the crunk sounds. So I am trying to have that fusion be called that - crunkchata.

What draws you to bachata music?

My mom and family always listened to Juan Luis Guerra. In the beginning I didn't really understand bachata because bachata is a culture from DR, much respect. Once I got into Aventura I understood more and more about the culture and it hit me, I was like wow these people are deep. Aventura took it to that level and now I want to urbanize it. It's in my blood.

Who are some of your musical influences?

Well the people that influenced me since I was younger are my father, he is a salsero, and my uncles. Also, R. Kelly, Lauren Hill, Ricky Martin, so many, just everything. We listened to everything in my household.

How did you get started doing music?

Well my family background, they are all musicians, even my mother plays bass. Just being nosy seeing my cousins and my uncles play. Being intersao, wanting to play. I am a percussionist first, my father used to sit me down and teach me how to play percussion.

How did you get involved with Aventura?

Back in the day I had a merengue group with my cousins called "La Banda Jiggy" and at that time Aventura was called "Los Teenagers", and we were from the same hood. We used to play at the same shows and festivals, so me and Mikey became cool. Then he stepped to me and said they were looking for a singer and he bought me in, and we became like brothers.

Who else do you have on the album?

Voltio, Judy Santos – who sang Obsession, KP the Money Maker from Miami, Somos Cinco which are my cousins, they do my backgrounds, Mikey from Aventura, Wise and Rakim Y Ken Y.

Did you ever think about coming out with an English language album?

Oh yeah, that's in the future. I want to do my R&B thing. Coming out of a Dominican group, and we did history together, I had to first give Dominican Republic something I can offer as a solo artist.

Was there ever a time when you had to choose between a 9-5 and your music?

Oh yeah, I worked a 9-5 gig for three months, but it was just not for me. I knew music was my thing, and working full time didn't give me anytime to pursue my music, so I had to leave. Thankfully, Aventura started doing well.

Anything you feel needs to be changed within the music industry?

Yes, I want to break the barriers. There seems like there are certain things hip-hop artists can do that Latin artists can't do, and I just want to break that. I want to be known as a hip-hop artist, or R&B artist, period.

What advice would you give to anyone that wants to break into the music business?

Follow your dreams! God looks out for people that really want it. Stay off the streets, and if music is what you want to do, focus on music 100%.

What's one thing people don't know about you?

People don’t know that I am Puerto Rican! (laughs) Yeah that’s a big issue, I love my Latin people but I want everyone to know I am Puerto Rican.

For more info hit up myspace.com/tobyloveofficialsite