With her composed demeanor, illuminating smile and beauty, and stunning voice, LATOYA LONDON captivated the country during the third season of the television show American Idol (2004). Even after coming in fourth place – belting out “Don’t Rain on My Parade” for her farewell – LaToya knew that she was a champion at heart.

One listen to her Peak Records debut Love & Life reveals a remarkably assured new artist who has only begun to show the world what she is made of. The 14-track album ranges from smooth urban AC groovers like “Every Part of Me” and “More” (which LaToya co-wrote) to the dynamic pop balladry of “Learn to Breathe” and “State of My Heart.” Altogether, London had a hand in writing five of the tracks on Love & Life, but none was more special than the creation of “Waiting for You,” a reassuring song of inspiration.

LaToya London was born in San Francisco and raised in Oakland. Her mother’s roommate discovered four-year-old LaToya wailing on Whitney Houston’s “You Give Good Love,” and her proud mom soon had her singing in front of anybody who’d sit still long enough. “My first real gig [at the age of seven] was singing ‘The Greatest Love of All’ at my mom’s wedding reception,” London remembers. “Then she put me in talent shows, friends and family would hire me for events, and I was in all the church choirs.” Upon graduating high school, LaToya went to live with her father in Richmond, California. When her father passed away in October 2000, London moved to Los Angeles to attend Musician’s Institute. As fate would have it, American Idol tryouts were the same weekend she was moving.