The fifth of nine children born to Joe and Katherine Jackson, the highly decorative Latoya grew up amidst a sea
of home grown talent but readily concedes that she never envisaged becoming part of the
family 'business' until she was coaxed onstage at a Jacksons show at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas in 1972.
It was, Latoya recalls, at that precise moment when she decided she wanted a musical career
after all! From that point on, Latoya became increasingly more active within the Jacksons show
and increasingly less active in her prior pursuit of a degree in business law.
This eventual commitment to show business led inevitably to her first solo album
recorded under the guiding hands of producers Ollie Brown and Larry Farrow. Brother Michael chipped in
with a co-writing and production input on one of the tracks ('Night Time Lover') and theresulting 'Latoya
Jackson' album for Polygram was released in 1981 to a generally agreeable and favourable consumer
and critical market.
The following year, Latoya consolidated her initial foray into solo activities with her second
album for Polygram 'My Special Love' which included the hit single 'Shake Your Rump To The Funk'* -
a visually tempting image which sent many a spotty faced youth into their nearest record shop!
However, which her third album 'Heart Don't Lie' for Private I/Epic Latoya has presented what many
considers to be her most viable and valid work to date. Produced by Amir Bayyan - excepting the track 'Frustration'
which was produced by Brother Tito and Shalamar's Howard Hewett - the album includes four tracks co-written
with Bayyan by Latoya and provides ample evidence of her blossoming multi-talents.
Latoya's future is currently looking pretty rosy and she herself is cautiously optimistic. She has
confirmed her intention of singing and writing more and more for outside acts, including
Jimmy Cliff for whom she wrote with Bayyan 'Reggae Nights'.
She has also contributed meterial for an upcoming movie 'Cry Of The City' and a TV pilot
called 'Heartbeat'. In addition to this she has designed her own line of leather and suade
clothes and has co-hosted the U.S. TV show Musicvision.
* Correction: The name of the song is 'If You Feel The Funk'
