“I brag on St. Louis wherever I go.it’s great to finally be performing here,” Toya said in an interview last Thursday night, after opening for Nelly and the St. Lunatics at Saint Louis University.

Rising R&B songstress Toya’s short set was highlighted by a sweet rendition of “I Will Always Love You,” an a capella showcase of Toya’s most powerful asset: her voice.

But this former SLU student has more going for her than just a knockout voice–she’s an all around beautiful person, from her down to earth attitude to her magnetic presence.

Thursday’s concert was the first time Toya has performed in St. Louis since she hit it big. She was on tour last April with Eden’s Crush and Jessica Simpson, which was–of course–an awesome experience.

Toya said the best part of being on tour was the fans, seeing them sing along to her songs. “I saw that my songs were actually reaching people.”

Toya was studying business administration at SLU before she was signed and recorded her debut album, Toya. An impromptu performance of a gospel hymn got her the deal.

“Singing gospel has given me a lot of practice dealing with crowds, feeling the emotion of a song.”

When asked about her next album Toya said it wasn’t important to her to “pop out albums.” She wants to give herself some space so she can get to where she wants to be musically before cranking out another set of songs.

She admires the longevity of superstars like Janet Jackson and Madonna, but also says she looks up to Britney Spears. “She was just a regular girl sitting in her living room one day and said, `I want to be a star.'”

Toya will continue to open for Nelly and the St. Lunatics, and look for new single to be released soon, “No Matter What (Party All Night).”