This is just a partial list of what the Lyrical Embassy can do for you:
  • lectures/keynotes/inspirational talks
  • workshops
  • artist residencies
  • performances
  • performance tours
  • educational consulting
  • hip-hop consulting for festivals/events

A Brief Breakdown

The Lyrical Embassy houses:
  • the Global Cipher
  • I RHYME LIKE A GIRL
  • Lyrical Ambassadors Consulting
  • All of Toni Blackman's musical and personal development products.
The Global Cipher-currently focuses on organizing the work Toni has done on the continent in Africa for the past 10 years. It incorporates the Freestyle Union Cipher Workshop, Lyrical Ambassador training and serves as a bridge for other artists to work and travel. Michael Forde, a dancer from StepAfrika, will accompany Toni on her next trip to the Congo and Brother Peace from Rennie Harris’ Pure Movement toured with Toni through Cote d’Ivoire. We are building a roster of international artists that we have collaborated with or intend to collaborate with.

I Rhyme Like A Girl-honors the voices of girls/women in hip-hop. Artist-Educators in our small, but trained collective are based in New York. We also have a Detroit-based and an Atlanta-based artist in our network. We currently offer performances and workshop with musical offerings to be released in 2008. Specialized areas of some of the IRLAG artists include Purple Haze’s work as an HIV and drug counselor, Mahogany Jones (DET) work facilitating Christian-themed and bible-based Ciphers, Spadee’s ability to connect with young lesbian artists and Stacey Epps (ATL) emphasis in social justice and law. Each of the artists have worked closely with Toni Blackman and are dedicated members of the Lyrical Embassy.

Lyrical Ambassadors Consulting

Included in Lyrical Ambassadors Consulting are the following:


  1. Creativity and Business Brainstorming workshops for Business schools and corporations based on Toni’s freestyling/improvisation expertise.
  2. Curriculum development. Hip Hop educator Chen Lo is partnering with Toni Blackman to co-facilitate “The Art of Emceeing” at Brooklyn Communication Arts & Media High School. The pair is consulting with TeachingForChange.org in Washington, DC to document their unique approach to teaching rap skills to 9th and 10th graders.
  3. Digital Video Conferencing. As a Cultural Ambassador Toni has facilitated successful workshops to places like Jerusalem and Bratislava.