Props to Rock the Dub for linking up this great promotional (?) video with Tony D that I’d never seen before. It also reminded how much I loved the “Check the Elevation” video (how is that one not on YouTube?).
Here’s a recent one of Tone talking about his production credits:
And if you haven’t seen it, his video from a year or two ago, “The Boss is the Boss”:
(This is a guest post by Bobbie Fine aka B. Fine from The Funk Family, who had a very close relationship with Tony D through the years.)
I’ve made so many relationships and formed so many close bonds with so many really good people in the music industry but not very many can compare to the love and respect I have for my friend, mentor and big brother Tony D.
My other big brother from another mother YZ introduced me to Tone a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away called Ewing NJ. He took me to Tone’s when I was about 14 before we worked on the Sons of the Father album. I spit something for Tone and he was like we gotta do an album on you too! Knowing his rep as a dope DJ and the songs him and Z were coming up with I was bugging that he thought I was nice let alone record an album with him.
I recorded my very first full songs at his mom house called “I’m the Principal” and from there we made so many really good records. Some got shine, most of them were overshadowed by label politics and bullshit but definitely left a great impression on Jersey as well as the world.
When we worked on the Funk Family project in ’91, Tone was one of the people who convinced me that I could be a star. He gave me some of his hottest tracks and I remember the feeling I got when we recorded each of them as feeling free and that we were doing something amazing that would change hip-hop. I always welcomed the opportunity to go verse for verse with Tone. I knew that even though he loved making beats he was a true Emcee at heart and we did some classics together like “Lose’em” & “Dummy Move.”
All throughout my career, even when I started making beats for myself, Tony said go for it and honestly, I merely considered myself a beat maker until he gave me the thumbs up. Tone has always been my measuring stick for music. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him because he kept me focused always believed in me even when I didn’t. I wouldn’t know as much as I know about this industry and the reason why I should stay true to myself as an artist even if it means you aren’t number one on Billboard because of him.
His legacy is deep from YZ, PRT, Blvd Mosse, Suicide Posse, Black Prince & Asiatic, Too Kool Posse, Crusaders for Real Hip-Hop, Shawn Lov, Kaaos, Scott Lark, Unfound Flavors, Almighty & KD Ranks, Mo Flex, The Funk Family, Baby Chill & the Secret Squirrels, Blaque Spurm, Sworn Secrecy and so many other dope Jersey MCs. He was a pioneer and his sound is the blueprint for the J-Dilla’s (RIP), Mad Libs and 9th Wonders of today. Didn’t matter that he was just a cool ass Italian cat from Trenton, he was our big homie that blew our minds every time he tapped the SP1200 or MPC and I will always be grateful for having him in my life.
I miss you already big bro. RIP!
(ETA: Be sure to check out Rock the Dub’s interview with Bobbie Fine.)
Lose'm (by The Funk Family, produced by and featuring Tony D) [3:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Pass the Sugar Daddy (Baby Chill (aka #9 RIP) produced by Tony D) [3:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadHere’s a short mp3 from 1993 that Tone sent me a couple of years ago titled “Do the Whino.” It features him along with LA Law and Low Key and sounds like either a radio or studio freestyle.
Though the media coverage of Tony D’s death has been weak, Tony’s being remember from around the web. Here’s a list of some tributes, which I’ll add to as I come across more:
Throughout this week, I’m going to be sharing some memories about Tony D’s music and his time on WPRB. Though I was just a fan, he played a big role in the way I listened to, made, and played music. I’m not sure quite how else to pay tribute other than sharing memories and sharing music.
Let’s start with a few select Tony D moments from this tape (1991-1992). Every week when I tuned into WPRB, I hoped for a Thursday Night Live session, not just for the guests but to see what Tone would bring to the table. He was often trying out new lyrics that either wound up on “Droppin’ Funky Verses” or the Crusaders for Real Hip-Hop album.
Here are just a few minutes of my favorites…
Normal Bias is a music blog dedicated to preserving the radio shows, demos, and out-of-print music living on cassette in my basement.
