Dj MP45: First of all, thanks for letting us have this interview. We should start from the beginning: what was your first exposure to hip-hop? I read that you started as a DJ, so which were the songs you were playing at that time?
Tony D: Grandmaster Flash and the Sugarhill stuff but Run DMC and the Def Jam early 12’s really were my favs.
Dj MP45: How did you switch from DJing to production and which equipment were you using when you started?
Tony D: The Mantronik album cover with Roland 909 made me go buy one. So back then I had that and a 4 track cassette. ..
Dj MP45: Did you do a lot of crate digging in the past and do you still do it these days?
Tony D: Of course, but the record stores have dried up so it’s more of a challenge. I find myself digging in my own stash more than going out and break-hunting I have gathered so many old records that I still have fresh stock to go through…digger for life.
Dj MP45: Which are your top 5 non-hip hop records?
Tony D: I like the funky people James Brown LP’s, Monk Higgins, Andy Bey, Children of all ages: dope LP!
Dj MP45: Who are other producers that inspired your work and why?
Tony D: Marley Marl, he was the first to samples drums... Pete Rock, trademark sound with horns and he pioneered the raw remix... But Paul C was the best on the SP1200 which I still use today, plus he was ahead of time.
Dj MP45: Which songs do you wish you had produced yourself?
Tony D: Give The Drummer Some by Ultramagnetic Mc’s, T.R.O.Y. by Pete Rock and C.L Smooth and DWYCK by Gangstarr
Dj MP45: You produced a lot of politically-charged acts such as Poor Righteous Teachers: were you comfortable with their message or was it just music to you?
Tony D: Sometimes I felt a little odd hearing all the anti-devil stuff but I was pretty much accepted into the hip-hop urban community because I been down since day 1.
Dj MP45: One of my favorite songs you produced is the Blvd Mosse “Move to something funky”: I tried to find more info on this group, but I couldn’t find any: how did you start working with them and do you have any interesting anecdotes about that time?
Tony D: Actually with the explosion of random hip hop, BLVD MOSSE unreleased is in demand as I have other material from them as well as other artists from Trenton that never came out. I met them in North Trenton. They were from that area where I was already scouting acts.
Dj MP45: Let’s move to the present: what do you think about the state of hip hop at the moment and do you think there are producers who can still carry that flag?
Tony D: It goes up and down. Sometimes I think Hip-Hop’s dead then Kanye or Lupe Fiasco comes out with something dope... But overall, Crunk, Bling, and Gangsta Rap have put a dent in the culture of Hip-Hop.
Dj MP45: Many thanks for taking the time to answer our questions, it is very much appreciated , I know readers of our blog will be happy to find out that a fellow Italian gave such a great contribution to hip hop.
Tony D: Thanks paisons... Peace.
Source: Music-Selections.com
Purpose of the Remembering Tony D Blog
Peace, this blog is a work-in-progress, if the audio streams are down check back in 24 hours as we are working on securing a reliable host. This blog is a labor of love that has been created by Shawn “Lov” Livernoche and fam. The purpose of the blog is to share and preserve the works of my friend and collaborator Tony D, particularly his more “under-the-radar” musical contributions. Also, I would like to pay homage to and celebrate other published collaborations with Tony D and other artists and labels post PRT era (1993 and beyond) including but not limited to Strong Peeps, Scott Lark, DJ Fatha Ramzee, Kaaos (WB's), Rahzii High Powa, Hit Squad, Isis, Pace Won, Outsidaz, Self (Custodian of Records), Don Blaq, Big Ooh, DJ PLEXX, Grand Central Records, Low-Key, and many other Trenton natives.
Tony D was a true Hip-Hop Legend and his entire body of work deserves to be celebrated. I have many radio interviews on cassette, WPRB episodes from the early 90's, videos of our own Hip-Hop adventures, mp3 files of his lesser known 12 inches with a variety of Trenton artists and pictures. Because uploading and converting everything myself is a daunting task it will take me some time. I wish to do all I can to promote and celebrate our friend Tony's legacy with class and with respect. Until then, put on some Tony D music and remember a Rap Triple OG who left us too soon. Please make donations- info at the top of the page. Thanks to Massive for his commitment to building a website Tony D would smile at. Any contributions to this page or comments are appreciated.
Peace, this blog is a work-in-progress, if the audio streams are down check back in 24 hours as we are working on securing a reliable host. This blog is a labor of love that has been created by Shawn “Lov” Livernoche and fam. The purpose of the blog is to share and preserve the works of my friend and collaborator Tony D, particularly his more “under-the-radar” musical contributions. Also, I would like to pay homage to and celebrate other published collaborations with Tony D and other artists and labels post PRT era (1993 and beyond) including but not limited to Strong Peeps, Scott Lark, DJ Fatha Ramzee, Kaaos (WB's), Rahzii High Powa, Hit Squad, Isis, Pace Won, Outsidaz, Self (Custodian of Records), Don Blaq, Big Ooh, DJ PLEXX, Grand Central Records, Low-Key, and many other Trenton natives.
Tony D was a true Hip-Hop Legend and his entire body of work deserves to be celebrated. I have many radio interviews on cassette, WPRB episodes from the early 90's, videos of our own Hip-Hop adventures, mp3 files of his lesser known 12 inches with a variety of Trenton artists and pictures. Because uploading and converting everything myself is a daunting task it will take me some time. I wish to do all I can to promote and celebrate our friend Tony's legacy with class and with respect. Until then, put on some Tony D music and remember a Rap Triple OG who left us too soon. Please make donations- info at the top of the page. Thanks to Massive for his commitment to building a website Tony D would smile at. Any contributions to this page or comments are appreciated.
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