Today we’d like to introduce you to Mookie Tolliver.
Hi Mookie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Madison, Illinois, and I started singing at the age of four. Music became a major part of my life after I lost my mother when I was nine years old. With my father not being around until my later teen years, I carried a lot of emotions that I eventually turned into poetry and then music. That’s why I always say, “music is a window to my heart.”
Growing up, I was heavily influenced by artists like New Edition, Bobby Brown, Usher, Jagged Edge, 112, Sammie, Mario, Lloyd, Marques Houston, and Trey Songz. As I continued developing my craft, I began performing throughout the Midwest and eventually across the country. I’ve had the opportunity to open for artists such as August Alsina, Keri Hilson, Trina, Sammie, Dondria, Pleasure P, Link, Phora, Tink, J. Holiday, Raz B, and Day 26. I’ve also performed at Arkansas Baptist College’s Homecoming and was part of a multi-city tour with Murphy Lee, Zues Waters, and Jibbs.
One of the biggest moments in my career was performing on stage with Dru Hill in St. Louis. After singing two songs with the group, Sisqo handed me the microphone and asked me to sing “Incomplete.” That’s a moment I’ll never forget.
Beyond music, I’ve expanded into acting, landing lead roles in stage plays such as Sleeping With The Enemy, Unequally Yoked, and Enigma: Family Bound of Secrets. I’ve also appeared in films including A Reckless Victim and Genesis Bond, along with YouTube series such as Saintlanta and The Good Life. I’ve been featured on FOX 2 News three times and highlighted in several blogs for my work.
Today, I’m continuing to grow as a singer, songwriter, actor, and storyteller. I’m also writing original films that I plan to produce in the near future. Through everything I do, my goal is to inspire others, stay true to my story, and use the gifts God gave me to make a positive impact.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many independent artists, I’ve faced my share of challenges. One of the biggest obstacles was losing my mother at the age of nine. That loss affected me deeply, and with my father not being present until my later teen years, I had to learn how to cope with a lot of emotions at a young age. Instead of letting those experiences break me, I turned them into poetry, which eventually became music. That’s why I always say, “music is a window to my heart.”
I’ve also faced the struggles that come with being an independent artist—trying to build a fan base, fund projects, market myself, and create opportunities when they don’t always come naturally. There have been times when people doubted me or didn’t support my vision, but those moments only motivated me to work harder and believe in myself even more.
Balancing a full-time career while pursuing music and acting has been another challenge. I’ve worked at Worldwide Technology for over 13 years while continuing to perform, travel, act, write music, and now write films. It takes a lot of sacrifice, discipline, and late nights, but I’m passionate about what I do.
Through it all, I’ve stayed grounded because of the values my sister instilled in me after our mother passed away. She taught me to remain humble, keep God first, and never stop striving to become the best version of myself. Every struggle has shaped who I am today, and I believe those experiences allow me to create music and tell stories that people can genuinely connect with.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a singer, songwriter, actor, entertainer, and aspiring filmmaker. At the core of everything I do is storytelling. Whether it’s through music, acting, or film, my goal is to create meaningful experiences that people can connect with emotionally.
Musically, I specialize in R&B and storytelling-driven records. After losing my mother at the age of nine and not having my father around until my later teen years, I found an outlet through poetry, which eventually evolved into songwriting. That’s why I often say, “Music is a window to my heart.” Many of my songs are inspired by personal experiences, real emotions, and the stories people trust me enough to share with me.
One project I’m especially proud of is my upcoming EP, Tug Of War releasing soon. The project explores the emotional push and pull of modern relationships—the tension between love and toxicity, communication and silence, holding on and letting go. Songs like PTO and Closer capture intimacy and escape, while tracks like Talk To Me, Read Between The Lines, and the title track Tug Of War featuring Tiffany Evans dive deeper into conflict, misunderstanding, growth, and reconciliation. The EP reflects my commitment to making music that feels honest and relatable rather than simply following trends.
What sets me apart is my authenticity. I don’t create music, characters, or stories just for entertainment—I create from real experiences. Whether I’m singing, acting, or writing, I strive to make people feel seen, understood, and inspired. The values my sister instilled in me after our mother’s passing taught me to stay humble, work hard, and use my gifts to uplift others. More than anything, I want my legacy to be one of impact, inspiration, and genuine connection.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I would say perseverance is the quality that’s been most important to my success. There have been a lot of moments where I could have given up. Losing my mother at nine years old, growing up without my father for much of my childhood, facing rejection, hearing “no,” and trying to build a career in entertainment independently isn’t easy. But I’ve always kept pushing forward.
My perseverance is rooted in my faith, the values my sister instilled in me, and believing that every setback is preparing me for something greater. I’ve learned that talent can open doors, but consistency, hard work, and dedication are what keep those doors open.
What keeps me going is knowing that someone may hear my story, listen to my music, watch one of my performances, or see one of my films and feel inspired not to give up on their own dreams. If there’s one thing people learn from my journey, I hope it’s that where you start doesn’t determine where you can go. With perseverance, faith, and hard work, anything is possible.
Pricing:
- 400 feature
- 7oo booking without the band
- 1000 with the band
- it varies
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.linktree.com/mookietolliver
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mookietolliver
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MookieTolliver
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mookietolliver
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MookieTolliver
- Soundcloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/mookietolliver
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mookie-tolliver/854658416
