Thank God It's Toby: Highlights

Vanessa Maryanne Cheatham, also known as Veve C, was born on July 31, 1996. Although born in Englewood, New Jersey, Cheatham spent most of the earliest years of her life in Teaneck, New Jersey, where her paternal grandparents lived. She also lived in Hackensack, New Jersey, for about 3 years before moving to New Windsor, New York (where she spent most of her life.) Cheatham has always had music as a part of her life since childhood.

At birth, Cheatham was named “Vanessa’ after the legendary Vanessa Williams. However, her mother, Tonya Lavette Fitzpatrick Riley, was fascinated with butterflies because Cheatham’s maternal grandmother called her and her sister Tamika Fitzpatrick “little butterflies.” Ironically she found out her name meant “butterfly” in Greek and Latin when she looked it up. Since 2014 Cheatham has lived in a single-parent household with her father Shawn Tyrone Cheatham Sr. and her younger brother Shawn Tyrone Cheatham Jr. In that same year, her mother moved to Savannah, Georgia, after Cheatham’s high school graduation program and later remarried to Robert Riley.

Cheatham described her childhood as “like heaven” and recalls how fun it was growing up as a kid in Jersey. She always had the best time with her paternal grandparents and being around her cousins, and the rest of her family made her feel very appreciated. However, childhood was not without its challenges. Cheatham was not well connected with her mother’s side. She never met her maternal grandmother Mary Ann Williams because her life was taken away when her mother, Tonya Lavette Fitzpatrick Riley, was only 6 years of age. Her maternal grandfather was absent in her life for self reasons, but it caused Cheatham to develop a distant connection with him.

Junior and senior years of high school were two of the most challenging years of Cheatham’s life. She underwent periods of depression and found herself stressed to the point of pulling out her hair. Between her parents arguing (before getting divorced) and dealing with fake friendships, Cheatham faced challenges with her emotions. However, writing songs about her experiences helped her get through difficulties and with making her successful today. On April 29, 2021, Cheatham’s mother died due to kidney disease and other unknown medical complications. However, Cheatham made it known that she will always make sure her mother’s name is never forgotten.

Cheatham’s father, Shawn, belonged to a group called “Rock N Gee and DJ Shawn.” They were signed to Mercury Polygram Records, and her father was (and still is) the disc jockey. In 1989, the group “Rock N Gee and DJ Shawn” had a global hit with their song “Swing Beat,” which amassed worldwide. This was the inspiration Cheatham needed to pursue her passions and wanted to uphold her father’s legacy.

Aside from Cheatham’s father, she was also inspired by well-known artists such as Aaliyah, Missy Elliot, Left Eye, and Brandy. She incorporates musical fragments and elements from the styles and sounds of these artists into her own while also maintaining a high level of authenticity. Giving her brief insight into what inspires her, Cheatham quotes, “In general, my failures have inspired me to work harder for my successes, and seeing people inspired by my works has inspired me. I get moved to know that my song changed someone’s day, and that is what really matters to me.”

Highlights from Toby's Friday afternoon show on Shout Radio. Featuring chat with top showbiz guests.