Toni Cornell

Toni Cornell (born September 18, 2004) is an American singer, songwriter, and philanthropist. She first gained public attention in 2015 with a duet performance of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" with her father, Chris Cornell, the lead vocalist of Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden, and Audioslave, at The Beacon Theatre. In 2019, she released her debut single, “Far Away Places”, which she wrote at age 12 and was produced by her father. In addition to her musical work, Cornell is involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors. She co-founded the "STOP THE STIGMA" initiative in partnership with the Addiction Policy Forum and the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation, which focuses on reducing the stigma associated with addiction and mental health.

Following her father's death in 2017, Toni performed Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" with OneRepublic on Good Morning America, a tribute that received widespread media coverage. Cornell has since appeared on major platforms such as The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and The Late Late Show with James Corden, where she performed tributes to her father and demonstrated her own musical style. Her rendition of Prince's Nothing Compares 2 U has been streamed widely and raised funds for various charities, including the International Rescue Committee. In 2022, she became the youngest ambassador for the International Rescue Committee, where she advocates for refugee support and international aid efforts.

Early life and education

Toni Cornell was born on September 18, 2004, in Los Angeles, California. She is the daughter of the late musician Chris Cornell and Vicky Cornell. Her uncle is singer Peter Cornell.

Influences

Toni draws inspiration from her own experiences and emotions, channeling both moments of distress and happiness into her songwriting. Her music is deeply influenced by a diverse range of iconic artists, including Stevie Nicks, Joni Mitchell, Freddie Mercury, Jim Morrison, David Bowie, The Beach Boys, Johnny Cash, Joan Baez, and Pink Floyd. Known for her passion for storytelling, Toni strives to craft lyrics that are not only emotive but also thought-provoking, with the goal of capturing listeners' attention and making them pause to reflect.

Career

Cornell's career in music began with a duet of Bob Marley's “Redemption Song” with her father in 2015, performed live at The Beacon Theatre in New York.

Ambassadorship

In 2022, Cornell became the youngest ambassador for the International Rescue Committee (IRC), where she advocates for refugee support and international aid. Her role has involved both fundraising and awareness campaigns, utilizing her public platform to speak on global issues affecting displaced populations and marginalized communities.

Discography

Awards and nominations

Global Music Award for Far Away Places (Lyrics and Songwriter) Diamond Award for Far Away Places (LA Shorts International Film Festival) Oniros Film Award as Honorable Mention for Far Away Places