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Fat Tony (rapper)

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Fat Tony
Fat Tony in 2013
Fat Tony in 2013
Background information
Birth nameAnthony Lawson Jude Ifeanyichukwu Obiawunaotu
Born (1988-03-24) March 24, 1988 (age 36)
OriginThird Ward, Houston, Texas, U.S.
GenresHip hop
OccupationRapper
InstrumentVocals
Years active2008–present
Labels
Websitefattonyrap.net

Anthony Lawson Jude Ifeanyichukwu Obiawunaotu[4] or Anthony Lawson Obi (born March 24, 1988),[5][6] better known by his stage name Fat Tony, is a Nigerian-American rapper.[7]

He has been recognized in URB's "Next 1000", a list of emerging new artists anticipated to break through.[8] At the Houston Press Music Awards, he won the Best Underground Hip Hop award in 2008,[9] 2009,[10] and 2010,[11] as well as the Best Solo Rapper award in 2013.[12]

Early life

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Fat Tony grew up in the Third Ward area of Houston, Texas.[5] Anthony Onyebuchi Obi, Fat Tony's father, is an engineer, and his mother Johnnie is a housewife.[4] His mother sang opera and exposed him to rock and pop music such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. His father is stated to have exposed the artist to acts like Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff as well as music from his home country, Nigeria.[13] Fat Tony's father, an Igbo,[14] fought in the Biafran War in Nigeria before coming to Houston.[4] Growing up, he became a fan of Nirvana. He stated in an interview that the first album he ever bought was an album from child rap duo Kris Kross whom he was inspired by due to the fact that they were kids. In middle school he formed a rap group with his friends called Simply Throwed. In high school he performed in a rap group called The Low Ends. He continued playing in bands with friends throughout his school days.[13] Fat Tony attended Carnegie Vanguard High School (Class of 2006)[15] and the University of St. Thomas.[16] He also studied as a communications major at the University of Houston.[17]

Career

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Fat Tony's debut studio album, RABDARGAB, was released in 2010.[18] The album's title is a reference to the late 1990s Houston Independent School District campaign ("Read a book, do a report, get a buck") aimed at students to promote literacy by offering $1 to students in exchange for book reports.[19] In 2012, he released a collaborative album with producer Tom Cruz, titled Double Dragon, on Young One Records.[20][21]

In 2013, he released Smart Ass Black Boy on Young One Records.[22] Produced by Tom Cruz, the album was written in two days and recorded in four days in Los Angeles, California.[23] It was included on the year-end lists by Complex,[24] Houston Press,[25] and Vice.[26]

In 2017, he released MacGregor Park on First One Up.[27] The album's title refers to MacGregor Park in Houston.[28] It was included on the year-end lists by Bandcamp Daily[29] and Houston Press.[30]

In 2018, Fat Tony released 10,000 Hours on Don Giovanni Records.[31] Written and recorded in Los Angeles, the album was produced in large part by Hevln.[32]

In 2019, Fat Tony served as a host on the nightly live variety show Vice Live on Viceland along with Marie Faustin, Sandy Honig, and Zack Fox.[33]

In 2020, he released a collaborative album with producer Taydex, titled Wake Up, on Carpark Records.[34]

On October 23, 2020, he released the album Exotica on Carpark Records. [35]

Style and influences

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Fat Tony has cited Ramones, Prince, Michael Jackson, Black Flag, Bad Brains, Morrissey, the Smiths, E-40, Jay-Z, Nas, the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, UGK, Outkast, DJ Screw, Three 6 Mafia, Mac Dre, Too Short, Aaliyah, R. Kelly, My Bloody Valentine, Nirvana, Rick Rubin, Beastie Boys, Scarface, Devin the Dude, Kilo Ali, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Mannie Fresh, Bikini Kill, Lil B, A Tribe Called Quest, Avril Lavigne and De La Soul as his music influences.[36]

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • RABDARGAB (2010)
  • Double Dragon (2012) (with Tom Cruz)
  • Smart Ass Black Boy (2013)
  • MacGregor Park (2017)
  • House with a Pool (2018) (with Kyle Mabson, as Charge It to the Game)
  • 10,000 Hours (2018)
  • Wake Up (2020) (with Taydex)
  • Exotica (2020)
  • I Will Make a Baby in this Damn Economy (2023) (with Taydex)

Remix albums

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  • SCREWDARGAB (2011) (with OG Ron C)
  • MacGregor Park (Chopnotslop Remix) (2017) (with OG Ron C and DJ Candlestick)

Live albums

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  • Live at No Audience (2020)

Compilation albums

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  • The Creation of Fat Tony (2009)

Mixtapes

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  • RABDARGAB: The EPreview (2010)

EPs

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  • Love Life (2008)
  • Look (2016) (with P. Morris)
  • Urban Hall of Fame (2016) (with Kyle Mabson, as Charge It to the Game)
  • Snak Pak (2018) (with Pregnant Boy)
  • Full Circle (2018) (with J.Kelr)

Singles

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  • "Hood Party" (2013)
  • "BKNY (Remix)" (2013)
  • "No More" b/w "Love Me" (2014)
  • "Sushi" (2015)
  • "Dame Un Beso" (2016)
  • "Twin Peaks" (2017)
  • "Two for One" (2017)
  • "Son of God" (2017)
  • "Growth Spurt" b/w "Northside Dr." (2018)
  • "FWU" (2018)
  • "Don't Move" b/w "Can't Stay" (2020)
  • "Gambling Man" (Mariachi Remix) (2020)
  • "Ain't for Me" (2021)
  • "Ain't for Me" (Blockhead Remix) (2020)

Guest appearances

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  • SMKA - "'Til It's Gone" and "I'm on Fire" from SMKA: The 808 Experiment Vol. 1 (2008)
  • DJ Sly - "Killin' Time" from Beyond It (2009)
  • Juiceboxxx - "Boxxx Get Busy" from Journeyman from the Heartland (2010)
  • Das Racist - "Luv It Mayne" from Sit Down, Man (2010)
  • Tecla - "Beautiful Problems" from Strangers Revisited (2011)
  • ASAP Rocky - "Get Lit" from Live. Love. ASAP (2011)
  • Tecla - "No Music" from Thanksgiving (2011)
  • Hot Sugar - "Leverage" from Midi Murder (2012)
  • Big Baby Gandhi - "Lurkin'" from No1 2 Look Up 2 (2012)
  • Mishka & Rad Reef - "Hyperbolic Chamber Music" (2012)
  • Heems - "Bangles" from Nehru Jackets (2012)
  • Antwon - "Laugh Now: Hot Sugar Version" (2013)
  • Tecla - "Bed of Roses" and "Mayo on the Side" from Bruja (2013)
  • Steel Tipped Dove - "Sprung" from Steel Tipped Dove & a Whole Bunch of Crazy Motherfuckers (2013)
  • Kool & Kass - "Burtation" from Peaceful Solutions (2013)
  • Weekend Money - "Trapper Keeper" from Freddie Merkury (2014)
  • Shy Girls - "Without (Magic Fades Remix)" (2014)
  • Donwill & Dash Speaks - "Sixteen Tons" from Don Speaks (2014)
  • Kari Faux - "Stainless" from Laugh Now, Die Later (2014)
  • Tony Collins - "Take You Home" from Last Night (2014)
  • Cakes da Killa - "I Run This Club Remix" from I Run This Club (2014)
  • Puzzle - "All the Best" from Tighten the Reins (2017)
  • Black Midi - "Jam" and "bmbmbm" from Black Midi Live in the USA (2020) [37]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Artists". Young One Records. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  2. ^ "Discography". Don Giovanni Records. Archived from the original on September 28, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  3. ^ "Store". Carpark Records. Archived from the original on February 1, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Serrano, Shea (June 2013). "The Happy Rapper". Texas Monthly. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Rhodes, Dusti (January 13, 2010). "Apostle of Hustle". Houston Press. Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2010.
  6. ^ Yeung, Neil Z. "Fat Tony: Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  7. ^ Norcia, Alex (February 25, 2019). "VICE Is Doing It Live". Vice. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  8. ^ McDonald, Dominic. "Urb Magazine :: Next 1000 :: Fat Tony". URB. Archived from the original on May 1, 2009. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  9. ^ Gray, Chris (July 30, 2008). "2008 HPMA Winner List". Houston Press. Archived from the original on October 27, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  10. ^ Gray, Chris (July 31, 2009). "The 2009 Houston Press Music Award Winners". Houston Press. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  11. ^ Gray, Chris (August 11, 2010). "2010 Houston Press Music Award Winners... All Of 'Em". Houston Press. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  12. ^ "The 2013 Houston Press Music Award Winners". Houston Press. August 7, 2013. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  13. ^ a b "Fat Tony Talks 'Charge It To The Game', His Dad Hating His Music & Being A D-I-Y Hustler". Newhoustonmusic.com. September 3, 2016.
  14. ^ "The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston presents a Halloween Steel Lounge Underground with no tricks just musical treats" (PDF). Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. October 10, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 20, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  15. ^ "Carnegie's Community Service Requirement". Carnegie Vanguard High School. Archived from the original on July 26, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  16. ^ Grant, Clyde (2008). "Fat Tony". Drench Magazine. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  17. ^ Damante, Mike (November 25, 2008). "Fat Tony pulls out the stops". The Daily Cougar. University of Houston. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  18. ^ Serrano, Shea (October 21, 2010). "Fat Tony Breaks Down His Brand-New RABDARGAB". Houston Press. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  19. ^ "Ghoulsfest: The Passion of Fat Tony". Houston Chronicle. October 27, 2010. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  20. ^ Martin, Andrew (June 2, 2012). "Mixtape Premiere: Fat Tony & Tom Cruz "Double Dragon"". Complex. Archived from the original on November 29, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  21. ^ Breihan, Tom (June 5, 2012). "Download Fat Tony & Tom Cruz Double Dragon". Stereogum. Archived from the original on October 23, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  22. ^ "Smart Ass Black Boy by Fat Tony". Apple Music. June 11, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  23. ^ Guerra, Joey (June 3, 2013). "NPR premieres Houston rapper Fat Tony's new album". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  24. ^ "The 10 Best Houston Rap Mixtapes of 2013 - 5. Fat Tony, Smart Ass Black Boy". Complex. January 7, 2014. Archived from the original on January 14, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  25. ^ "The 11 Best Houston Releases of 2013". Houston Press. December 13, 2013. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  26. ^ "VICE's Top 50 Albums of 2013". Vice. December 18, 2013. Archived from the original on March 23, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  27. ^ "Macgregor Park by Fat Tony". Apple Music. August 25, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  28. ^ Dansby, Andrew (April 16, 2016). "Bringing back the magic of Sundays in MacGregor Park". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  29. ^ Mlynar, Phillip (December 20, 2017). "The Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2017". Bandcamp Daily. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  30. ^ Caldwell, Brandon (January 2, 2018). "The 20 Best Houston Rap Tapes Of 2017 (20-16)". Houston Press. Archived from the original on January 4, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  31. ^ Johnson, Cherise (August 15, 2018). "Fat Tony Announces His New '10,000 Hours' Album Along With A Political Single, 'Texas,' And A Big Tour". Uproxx. Archived from the original on January 29, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  32. ^ Thompson, Paul (October 10, 2018). "Fat Tony is good for your health". The Fader. Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  33. ^ Schneider, Michael (January 17, 2019). "Viceland Will Relaunch Primetime With Nightly Live Two-Hour Variety Show (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on August 17, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  34. ^ Watson, Elijah C. (October 9, 2019). "Fat Tony Announces New Album 'Wake Up,' Shares New Song". Okayplayer. Archived from the original on October 15, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  35. ^ Watson, Elijah C. (September 1, 2020). "Fat Tony Announces New Album 'Exotica,' Shares New Song "Feeling Groovy" [Premiere]". Okayplayer. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  36. ^ "PODiMOUTH Presents: FAT TONY". PODiMOUTH. Archived from the original on December 10, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  37. ^ "Black Midi Live in the USA, by black midi".
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