There’s a storm of potential brewing in the core of young Fat Tony’s mind. Did I emphasize young (he’s not even 20 years old yet); Fat Tony is from the same stomping grounds that UGK, Scarface, K-Otix, and DJ Screw made famous, Houston, Texas. Now with his debut solo installment, the “Love Life” EP released on March 4th, it is laced with a variation of eclectic songs talking on a wide-arrange of topics. Even through the EP-opener, “Faith (You Never Know),” to the songs like “She Glows” (produced by Tom Cruz of hip-hop group, Supreeme), every song on the Love Life EP stims to the central theme of loving and living life to the fullest.
Already with the huge opportunity of playing and performing at one of the biggest independent music festivals in the world, South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, Fat Tony will prove to the world that he is more than capable and ready to make a viable impact to music fans’ ears, minds, hearts, and souls.
1) Where did the name, “Fat Tony” come from? What’s the origin of the stage name, and how is the hip hop scene in Houston?
“Fat Tony” came from my adolescent hands while sitting in my 8th grade P.E. class during a class pizza party. They had us watching Scared Straight as a treat! Trying to turn out us young Houston hooligans into upstanding citizens. (Them niggas failed.) I tagged the name on a cup and it got noticed by some friends. The name stuck for my raps ever since then.
The Houston Hip Hop scene is dope. The scene is warm and flourishing with several new developments that seem promising. There are always venues awaiting you to book a show, and there's definitely an audience for a various styles of rap blasting off down here; whether it's classic Texas rap, Screw, radio shit, ultra underground rappity rap stuff, etc. Promotions for shows are looking bigger, glossier, and attracting nice crowds (thanks corporate sponsorships!).
2) As a young hip hop emcee breaking through the roots in Houston with an already somewhat mentionable name in your own city, what are your plans for this year?
My plans for the year are to rap wherever I can, whenever I can, for whatever audience is out there ready to listen. I wanna play hella shows across the land, hitting every college campus spot I can find. I've got my debut release, Love Life, poppin off as a free download right now from my Myspace page. I'm working on songs with my friend D ee R ai L for our duo, I and I. Working on a full-length Fat Tony album to follow up my EP too.
3. What drew you to hip hop? Are there any other genres of music that have helped you as a musician?
I was drawn to Hip Hop because I'm a young man born in 1988 and it’s a culture I grew up in since day one. I was always aware, open, and intrigued by rap. There were always a ton of records in my house, so I got into a lot of other music genres before I was a huge rap fan. My grandma listens to a lot of country, blues, and gospel. My mom likes a lot of classical, jazz, blues, and rock 'n' roll, And my dad jams lots of country and reggae music. I started getting big into Hip Hop around age 9; Thats when the radio and MTV were drawing me in heavily.
I get influenced by a lot of different genres, but besides Hip Hop I'd say punk rock is my biggest inspiration. I always did my research with music and got intrigued by D.I.Y. Cultures coming from underground rock 'n' roll and hardcore scenes. Listening to young bands who promoted, pressed, and handled all their material by hand gave me the motivation to get my stuff on the road.
4. How would you describe your cadence during over your songs? Do you feel that there is any other up and coming artists (such as yourself) from your area that the readers should be keeping a potential ear and set of eyes out for?
I'd describe my cadence as DOPE. Something that'll draw you in from a distant listen. Appealing to fans of good music across a variety of backgrounds. My music is for everyone. Out of this Houston area, I'd advise anybody with tastes to keep ears open & alert for D ee R ai L, Nosaprise, Tha Fucking Transmissions, iLL Faded Productions, and The Television Skies. [They are] all good artists and bands that I can co-sign all day long.
5. Who were some of the singers, hip hop artists, and bands that helped mold the artist, Fat Tony?
Too many! I go through periods of getting hella inspiration from different styles and eras in music. The biggest artists to influence me have always been Prince, Outkast, UGK, J Dilla, A Tribe Called Quest, The Smiths, Bad Brains, The Ramones, My Bloody Valentine, and DJ Screw. All the rap greats have inspired me of course, especially Jay-Z, Nas, 2Pac, E-40, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, Mos Def, etc.
6. So I hear that you are set for your first solo release of an EP entitled “The Love Life EP.” What can music fans of all walks expect from hearing this musical installment of yours?
Good ass American rap music for young peoples worldwide. Nothing but good beats, dope rappin'. Something enjoyable to play when ridin' with your dudes or entertaining a lady friend. It fits any setting except a Klan rally or Republican convention. Fat Tony doesn't fuck with those types.
7. Are their any accolades that you have received so far even before releasing your first album?
I've been voted dopest young rap nigga alive by humans able to hear. They just haven't mailed me my trophy yet. I've been given a lot of good opportunities over the years. All because of blessings and my own hard work. I've been performing, making music, booking & promoting shows for a few years now. I definitely believe in hard work paying off.
8. The South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas is one of the biggest independent music festivals in the U.S. and I was told that you would be performing on stage for it. Do you feel any pressure at all?
I feel pressure to get my name out in a sea of other rappers trying to do the same! It's too many people trying to get in this now that it can make things oversaturated. The crabs in a barrell approach is never a good look. I'm confident that I'll stand out and reach the people that need to hear me though. I'll be performing with my partner D ee R ai L and DJ Klinch. We've got a great show for anyone that catches one of our performances.
9. What more can the readers expect from Fat Tony? Are their any other projects that are in the works with you right now?
Readers can expect more good music because I've always been known for doing a million projects/bands/groups at once and I don't think that's slowing down any time soon. An I and I album is coming and a Fat Tony full-length album is coming. I'd rather let the records speak for themselves rather than hype them up. Stay tuned to my Myspace and Facebook domains to always see whats good with me!
10.If you could do a song with any musical artist(s) (dead or alive), who would it be with?
I've love to do music with a bunch of people. Production wise, I'd love to do tracks with J Dilla, Pimp C, Q-Tip, Three 6 Mafia, Timbaland and The Neptunes. They've all produced many of my favorite songs ever. Sa-Ra have some really nice stuff too. I've got a crush on cute ass Amerie and love her “Touch” album. I'd get in the studio with her in a hot minute. Get on some “I'ma rap really tight, you just kill these hooks!” type tracks. I'd do music with Outkast because they are the very best, period. And if I could get a guest rapper on some shit of mine in the near future it'd be E-40! It could be a song about nothing, I don't care! Hella gifted with the voice he has. I'd like to get down with some of these new era rap dudes that I hear spittin' really hard like Supreeme, Blu, or Pacific Division. I want us all to feel like we're part of a new age in rap music.
This young guy with an extreme amount of talent with a genuine cadence and dope live show set is ready to set the microphone blaze along with music fans’ ears and minds as well. I had a great time interviewing Fat Tony, and would like to say thanks for the interview. Be sure to download his debut release, the Love Life EP for FREE!
Click the link below to download the "Love Life" EP for FREE:
http://www.zshare.net/download/8444653db47ce0/
