Tokischa

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Peralta.

Tokischa
Tokischa in 2021
Background information
Birth name	Tokischa Altagracia Peralta
Born	(1996-03-17) 17 March 1996 (age 28) Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Genres	Dominican dembow urbano reggaeton Latin trap[1]
Occupations	Rapper songwriter
Years active	2018–present
Labels	Paulus Sony Latin[2] Warner Latina

Tokischa Altagracia Peralta^[3] (born 17 March 1996), known mononymously as Tokischa, is a Dominican rapper.^[4] After working for the renowned photographer Raymi Paulus, she was offered to enter the music industry. She signed a recording contract with Paulus Music and released his debut single "Pícala" to great regional success. In 2021 she expanded horizons, and was introduced to global artist. After her song "Linda" alongside Rosalía was released with great commercial success, she continued collaborating with artists such as J Balvin, Madonna, Anuel AA and Ozuna. Her lyrics mostly refer to sexual activity. Tokischa has often been catalogued as "controversial" by media outlets, with her music sparking controversy and receiving notable media coverage.^[5][6]

Early life

Tokischa was born in 1996 in a humble environment and spent most of her childhood and adolescence in the Los Frailes district, a low income area in the eastern region of the Santo Domingo Province.^[7] Her mother moved to the United States when she was very young. Despite this, she was always aware of her. Her father was in jail, from which he escaped several times.

Tokischa studied fine arts and dramaturgy. At sixteen she dedicated herself to professional modeling and at eighteen she started working in a call center for a year. At that age she was also groomed into underage sex work, about which she commented during an interview: "being with a person you aren't attracted to and like is frustrating. After I had sex with someone, I would go into the bathroom to take a shower, crying, frustrated". At first she would spend the money on drugs, then on music. At age twenty, while Tokischa was doing a photoshoot for a magazine in her hometown, she met producer and designer Raymi Paulus, who was fascinated by her voice and musical talent, and asked her to record some songs in his studio. She eventually signed a record deal with his label Paulus Music.^[8]

Tokischa identifies as bisexual.^[9]

Career

In 2018 Tokischa debuted with the song “Pícala”, with Dominican singer Tivi Gunz. The music video, which reached one million views in the opening week, has scenes that show a psychedelic and hallucinogenic trip caused by the consumption of some substances. In November, she released the song "Que Viva" with Químico Ultra Mega. It was also presented at the Dominican Trap Festival, which takes place annually in different locations around the country.

In February 2019, Tokischa released the single "Perras Como Tú", as part of the soundtrack for the Mexican film Miss Bala: Merciless. In September, she released the extended play Freestyle #007, featuring DJ Scuff. At the same time she released the single "Empatillada", with Jamby El Favo. The following month, she released the single "Twerk" with Eladio Carrión. Its music video reached more than five million views on the YouTube platform. The following year, Tokischa premiered the song "Varón", one of her most controversial songs. In February, she collaborated on the single "Amor & Dinero" by Jinchoo. In October, she released the song "Desacato Escolar" with Yomel El Meloso and Leo RD, which was partly censored on several platforms for a limited time. The following month, she released the single "Hoy Amanecí", featuring Tivi Gunz. In December, she published "El Rey de la Popola", with Dominican singer Rochy RD.

In January 2021, Tokischa published the single "Yo No Me Voy Acostar", alongside Yailin La Más Viral and La Perversa.^[10] That same month she premiered "Bellaca Putona", with Químico Ultra Mega, which managed to position itself at the top of the charts in her home country. During the year, she continued to release songs in the urbano umbrella genre and collaborations with regional artist. Tokischa made international headlines in the summer of that year after several collaborations with Latin artists J Balvin and Rosalía.^[11] Both music videos were filmed in Santo Domingo. Both Tokischa and Rosalía largely teased their song "Linda", which was produced by Leo RD. It was released on 1 September.^[12] They collaborated again the following year on "La Combi Versace", from the latter's album Motomami.^[13] A week before, "Perra", the Balvin collaboration, was released for digital download. Tokischa, together with her record label Paulus Music, had previously signed a distribution deal with Equity Distribution, Roc Nation's indie distribution company earlier that season.^[14]

In September 2022, Tokischa was featured on "Hung Up on Tokischa", a remix of Madonna's 2005 hit single "Hung Up"; the song uses dembow.^[15][16]

Artistry

Tokischa in 2015

Tokischa cultivates various musical styles, where trap, hip hop, rap and urbano stand out. However, she has stated in different occasions that there is no genre that identifies her. Her songs have quite personal and "the most honest possible" lyrics.^[17] One artist who inspired her early in her career was DJ Scuff.^[18] Tokischa is also a fan of rock music. She has stated that: "I chose to trap because it is the closest thing there is now to rock, which has always been my favorite genre. Trap is modern rock. At that time I was very unleashed, and I expressed myself that way".^[19]

Controversies

In December 2019, Tokischa signed up on OnlyFans and started to post sexually-explicit content after having previously been censored on Instagram. In 2021, the singer said that "I opened my account because I have always liked explicit content, sexuality, sexiness and horniness. That had always caused trouble to me as a child since my family saw me taking hot pictures. Instagram deleted a couple photos of me some years ago so, when OnlyFans became a thing, I saw the opportunity to do it with no censorship nor explanation. I also met a team of professionals who taught me how to make an economic profit out of it. That helped me quite a lot during the pandemic. All investment I did in my music in the last months has come from this platform".^[20]

In October 2020 she released the track "Desacato Escolar", a collaboration with Yomel El Meloso and Leo RD, on streaming platforms. The track caused controversy for its lyrics referencing prostitution. It was taken down from YouTube. Tokischa talked about it to RTVE, stating that: "I think that those people who criticize him do not want to accept life as it is. Dembow and urban music in general are the expression of the neighborhood and the underworld, of what is lived. If the rap tells you about crime and weapons, it is because that exists, not because the artist is inventing it. We cannot ignore those realities. Prostitution is the same, it has always existed, and if they talk about it in songs, it is because it is like that. If that person who criticizes feels very neat, then perhaps it is because he does not want to know about these realities or that all that comes to light, but we sing about what we live, and that is inevitable".^[21]

In August 2021, the rapper posed semi-naked at the sanctuary of the Virgin of Altagracia in La Vega.^[22] The town's mayor, released a statement in which he condemned that Tokischa "failed to the ethical norms and values that that govern the civilized and exemplary coexistence of our municipality".^[23] The rapper later expressed her regrets online and stated that "I didn't do it with the intention of offending, if not more to show that anyone can pray, come from wherever, or whatever it represents".^[24] Despite the apology, the La Vega Prosecutor's Office ruled that the performer will not be able to visit the sanctuaries of that province for a year, after Mayor Kelvin Cruz filed a complaint against her.^[25]

Discography

Singles

As lead artist

Title	Year	Peak chart positions				Certifications	Album
		DR [26]	SPA [27]	US Latin [28]	WW
"Pícala" (with Tivi Gunz)	2018	—	—	—	*		Non-album single
"Qué Viva" (with Químico Ultra Mega)		—	—	—
"Perras Como Tú" (with Farina)		—	—	—			Miss Bala
"Empatillada" (with Jamby El Favo)	2019	—	—	—			Non-album single
"Twerk" (with Eladio Carrión)		—	—	—
"Amor & Dinero" (with El Jincho)	2020	—	—	—
"Varón"		—	—	—
"Me Lo Como" (with Luiyitox, Black Jonas Point, Quimico Ultra Mega and El Experimento)		—	—	—	—
"Desacato Escolar" (with Yomel El Meloso and Leo RD)		—	—	—	—
"Hoy Amanecí" (with Tivi Gunz)		—	—	—	—
"El Rey de la Popola" (with Rocky RD)		—	—	—	—
"Yo No Me Voy Acostar" (with Yailin La Más Viral and La Perversa)	2021	—	—	—	—
"Bellaca Putona" (with Quimico Ultra Mega)		—	—	—	—
"Siete" (with DJ Scuff and Jaleoo)		—	—	—	—
"No Me Importa" (with Secreto El Famoso Biberon)		—	—	—	—
"Tukuntazo" (with El Cherry Scom and Haraca Kiko)		—	—	—	—
"MALA" (with Nino Freestyle)		—	—	—	—
"Perra" (with J Balvin)		—	—	48	—		Jose
"Yo Lo Daño" (with El Cherry Scom and Leo RD)		—	—	—	—		Non-album singles
"Linda" (with Rosalía)		8	22	34	–[a]	AMPROFON: Gold[30] PROMUSICAE: Gold[31] RIAA: 2× Platinum (Latin)[32]
"Dorito & Coca-Cola" (with Danny Ocean)		—	—	—	—		@dannocean
"Singamo" (with Yomel El Meloso, Paulus Music and Leo RD)		—	—	—	—		Non-album singles
"Estilazo" (with Marshmello)	2022	—	—	—	—
"Hola" (with Eladio Carrión)		—	—	—	—
"Somos Iguales" (with Ozuna)		—	—	45	—
"Delincuente" (with Anuel AA and Ñengo Flow)		—	—	27	—	AMPROFON: Gold RIAA: 4× Platinum (Latin)[32]
"Hung Up on Tokischa" (with Madonna)		—	—	—[b]	—
"Kilos de Amor" (with Natanael Cano)		—	—	—	—
"La Muerte" (with Luísa Sonza)	2023	—	—	—	—		Escândalo Íntimo
"Chama" (With Arca)	2024	—	—	—	—		Non-album single
"—" denotes a title that was not released or did not chart in that territory. "*" indicates a chart that did not exist at the time.

As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist, showing year released, chart positions, and originating album

Title	Year	Peaks							Album
		ARG [34]	CHI [35]	ECU [36]	POR [37]	PER [38]	SPA [27]	WW [39]
"La Combi Versace" (Rosalía featuring Tokischa)	2022	—	—	—	189	—	12	—	Motomami
"Players (Tokischa remix)" (Coi Leray featuring Tokischa)	2023	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Non-album singles
"Chulo Pt. 2" (Bad Gyal featuring Tokischa and Young Miko)		18	7	14	—	11	—[c]	91	La joia
"Ride or Die Pt. 2" (Sevdaliza featuring Villano Antillano and Tokischa)	2024	—	—	—	—	—	65	112	Non-album singles

Awards and nominations

Award	Year	Category	Nominated work	Result	Ref.
iHeartRadio Music Awards	2022	Best New Latin Artist	Tokischa	Nominated	[40]
Latin Grammy Awards	2022	Album of the Year	Motomami (as songwriter)	Won	[41]
MTV Millennial Awards	2024	Viral Anthem	"Ride or Die, PT. 2" (with Sevdaliza & Villano Antillano)	Nominated	[42]
Premios Juventud	2022	The New Generation – Female	Tokischa	Nominated	[43]
		Best Girl Power Collab	"Linda" (with Rosalía)	Nominated
		Best Social Dance Challenge		Nominated
	2023	Female Artist – On The Rise	Tokischa	Nominated	[44] [45]
		Girl Power	"Hung Up on Tokischa" (with Madonna)	Nominated
		Best Dembow Collaboration	"Delincuente" (with Anuel AA & Ñengo Flow)	Won
Premio Lo Nuestro	2023	New Artist – Female	Tokischa	Nominated	[46]
		Female Urban Artist of the Year		Nominated
	2024	Crossover Collaboration of the Year	"Somos Iguales" (with Ozuna & Louchie Lou & Michie One)	Nominated	[47]
Premios Tu Música Urbano	2022	Top Artist — Dembow	Tokischa	Nominated	[48]
		Top Song — Dembow	"Linda" (with Rosalía)	Nominated
	2023	Top New Artist — Female	Tokischa	Nominated	[49]
		Top Artist – Dembow		Nominated
		Top Song — Dembow	"Delincuente" (with Anuel AA and Ñengo Flow)	Nominated

Notes

1. "Linda" did not enter the Billboard Global 200 but peaked at number 169 on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart.^[29]
2. "Hung Up on Tokischa" did not enter the Hot Latin Songs but peaked at number 8 on the Latin Digital Song Sales chart.^[33]
3. Sales for the remix were included into the ones for the original version and not listed independently. "Chulo" entered at number 19 following the release of the remix (it had previously peaked at number 16) and was certified platinum.

References

1. "'The more they ban me, the more people want me': Tokischa's hardcore rap draws fans, and critics". Los Angeles Times. 20 May 2022.
2. "Delincuente – Single by Tokischa, Anuel AA & Ñengo Flow". 19 August 2022 – via music.apple.com.
3. Avila, Daniela (21 September 2022). "Madonna Locks Lips with Dominican Rapper Tokischa in New Music Video for Remix of 2005's 'Hung Up'". People. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
4. Mañón, Dalva (17 June 2021). "Algunos diputados en OnlyFans de Tokischa le piden videos de sexo". Roberto Cavada. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
5. "Tokischa resuena en las redes, ahora por colaboración con J Balvin". N Digital (in Spanish). 21 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
6. "Tokischa On Madonna, OnlyFans, Creating Her Future + Performances". YouTube. Hot 97. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
7. Corripio, Grupo de medios (24 August 2021). "Tokischa se disculpa por fotos en santuario: "no fue con la intención de ofender"". Hoy Digital (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 March 2024.
8. Diario, Listin (16 September 2021). "Tokischa habla de su dura infancia y cómo tuvo que prostituirse". listindiario.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 March 2024.
9. Villa, Lucas (16 June 2022). "The Next Generation of Latin LGBTQ Stars: 10 Artists Blazing New Trails". Billboard. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
10. Marte, Melania Luisa. "The Home-Wrecker Myth Is Sexist & Racist—Here's Why". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
11. "Paulus Music Is Making Dembow and Trap for Stoners, Misfits, and Freaks". Pitchfork. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
12. Panicello, Nerea (26 August 2021). "Quién es Tokischa, la artista del próximo tema de Rosalía". Cosmopolitan (in European Spanish). Retrieved 26 August 2021.
13. "Rosalía comparte los últimos detalles de 'MOTOMAMI'". jenesaispop.com (in Spanish). 24 December 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
14. Brillante, Vida (6 March 2021). "TOKISCHA AND PAULUS MUSIC SIGN AGREEMENT AND CELEBRATE WITH NEW DEMBOW "TUKUNTASO"". vidabrillante (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 August 2021.
15. Villa, Lucas (20 September 2022). "Madonna Makes Out With Tokischa In Their 'Hung Up' Remix Video". Uproxx. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
16. Del Rosario, Alexander (10 October 2022). "'Madonna is gay?' Fans and critics are hung up on the pop icon's cryptic TikTok". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
17. "Tokischa: "En mi país todavía tengo problemas por decir que me gustan las mujeres y los hombres"". Shangay (in Spanish). 1 June 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
18. LOS40 (24 August 2021). "Rosalía y Tokischa se unen en la colaboración 'Linda': así suena la canción". LOS40 (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 August 2021.
19. "¿Quién es Tokischa? Empieza conociéndola por sus 10 fotos más locas". Heabbi.com (in Spanish). 23 November 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
20. "¿conoces a TOKISCHA, la RAPERA del MOMENTO? 👽". WAG1 MAGAZINE (in Spanish). 13 April 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
21. "Tokischa, la bomba dominicana de la escena urbana: "Elegí el trap porque es lo más cercano al rock"". abc (in Spanish). 4 May 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
22. MARTÍN, MIRIAM (13 May 2021). "Tokischa: "Criticar las letras es no aceptar la vida tal y como es"". RTVE.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 August 2021.
23. Vanderhorst, Paola (5 August 2021). "Indignación en Jarabacoa por fotos de Tokischa en Santuario de La Virgen de La Altagracia". RNN Red Nacional De Noticias (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 August 2021.
24. Diario, Listin (24 August 2021). "Tokischa no podrá visitar los santuarios de La Vega durante un año". listindiario.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 August 2021.
25. Redacción (6 August 2021). "Repudian Tokischa pose semidesnuda frente santuario Virgen de la Altagracia". Loultimodigital.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 August 2021.
26. Peak positions in Dominican Republic:
    • "Linda": "Top 20 Republica Dominicana". charts monitorLATINO (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2022.
27. "Search: Tokischa (songs)". El Portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
28. Peak positions on the Hot Latin Songs chart:
    • "Perra": "J Balvin Chart history: Hot Latin Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
    • "Linda": "Rosalía Chart History (Hot Latin Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
    • "Somos Iguales": "Ozuna Chart History: Hot Latin Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
    • "Delincuente": "Anuel AA Chart History: Hot Latin Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
29. "Rosalía Chart History (Billboard Global Excl. US)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 19 April 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
30. "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2020.Type "ROSALÍA" in the box under the "ARTISTA" column heading.
31. "Search: Rosalía (Songs)". spanishcharts.com. Productores de Música de España. Archived from the original on 7 January 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
32. "American certifications – Rosalía". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
33. "Madonna Chart History (Latin Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
34. Peak positions in Argentina:
    • https://billboard.ar/chart/
    • "Brinca": "Billboard Argentina Hot 100: Semana del 7 de mayo". Billboard Argentina (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 May 2023.
35. "Billboard Chile". Billboard. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
36. Peak positions in Ecuador:
    • "Chulo pt. 2": "Ecuador Songs: Week of 19 August 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
37. "Discography Rosalía". swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
38. Peak positions in Peru:
    • "Chulo pt. 2": "Peru Songs: Week of 19 August 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
39. "Global 200: Week of 19 August 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
    • "Ride or Die Pt. 2": "Global 200: Week of 18 May 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
40. "2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards: See The Full List Of Winners | iHeartRadio". iHeartRadio Music Awards. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
41. Flores, Griselda (20 September 2022). "Latin Grammys 2022: todos los nominados". Billboard (in European Spanish). Retrieved 20 September 2022.
42. Tinajero, Enrique (11 June 2024). "MTV MIAW 2024 revelan nominados: destacan Peso Pluma, Danna, Yeri Mua y Young Miko". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 August 2024.
43. Roiz, Jessica (14 June 2022). "J Balvin & Karol G Lead 2022 Premios Juventud Nominations: Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
44. Flores, Griselda (13 June 2023). "2023 Premios Juventud Nominations: See the Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
45. Flores, Griselda (20 July 2023). "2023 Premios Juventud Winners: Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
46. "Nominados a Premio Lo Nuestro 2023: lista completa y cómo votar". Univision (in Spanish). 23 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
47. "Premio Lo Nuestro 2024: Lista de artistas ganadores de las 38 categorías" (in Spanish). Univision. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
48. Roiz, Jessica (23 June 2022). "Karol G Wins Big at 2022 Premios Tu Musica Urbano: Complete Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
49. Roiz, Jessica (2 May 2023). "Rauw Alejandro lidera nominaciones a Premios Tu Música Urbano 2023: Lista completa". Billboard (in Spanish). Retrieved 3 May 2023.

External links

• Media related to Tokischa at Wikimedia Commons
• Tokischa at AllMusic