| Normally, this magazine
doesn’t go out of
it’s way to endorse an artist. But this
time we’ve gotta make an exception. And only because I had
a chance to witness what this artist is all about. The artist
I’m
referring to, is simply known as Lil’ Tony.
Lil’ Tony is from Aberdeen, Mississippi.
A
town of about 10,000 people, located in
Northeastern Mississippi.
Tony invited me to roll to Huntsville,
Alabama
with him so that I could experience what he does
when he’s on the grind. We ended up at a race
track (which seemed to be a popular hang out). I
watched this kat sell about 250 copies of his cd
(at $5 a pop) to people who didn’t know who in
the hell he was. But.... he had the trunk open
and the windows down. His music played non-
stop. He and a couple of his boys did this in
about 3 hours. And he does this everywhere he
goes. He’s sold about 3,900 cds so far. Mostly
out the trunk and in some mom and pop’s, as
well.
Like I said, we don’t normally endorse
an artist,
but I was impressed with this kats hustle.
If Lil’ Tony stays independent,
he could very well
follow in the footsteps of a Master P. Because he
has that instinctive hustle and grind mentality.
We chopped it up with Lil’ Tony
so that our read -
ers could get some insight as to who he is.
What’s happening Lil’ Tony
?
LT: U got it Ant.
What’s been happening with u since
the
release of your last album, Still N Da Game ?
LT: I’ve just been promoting my
stuff, working on
some new product, and networking.
What’s your new album called ?
LT: Soljah Boy.
Who’d u work with on this project
?
LT: I worked with Pistol
Maine, Horny J., Lavelle, Al Kapone (from
Memphis, Tenn), and Mr. LPD.
What do u attribute to a lot of the success
that you’ve had
thus far ?
LT: Awh man.... Definitely this magazine.
I’ve had an ad in every issue since the 3rd one.
It’s help me reach some folks I wouldn’t have
reached on my own. My websites have helped
me out a lot. I got a page at cdbaby.com,
and I’ve got my own site at platinumkees.com
Networking has played a big part in
it, too. I’ll do features for free right
now. It ain’t so much about the
money right now. I’m just tryin’ to be
heard and get my name and face out
there. The money’s gonna come. I ain’t
worried about that.
Have u been selli ng cds over the internet
?
LT: Awh yeah !
In the U.S., overseas, or both ?
LT: Both. I’m sellin’ cds thru
cdbaby to folks in
Japan, France, Germany, Belgium, And England.
I got record stores in Japan emailing me for my
cds. I’ll sell em a box of cds at $5 a cd. I sell a
lot to Japan thru cdbaby.
U own your own record store, right ? Right.
How has owning a
record store helped u get up on your com -
petiton, as far as knowing how to market your
product ?
LT: I meet a lot of different people who
come into my store. I’ll let em listen to my music.
I might even give em a sample cd. When they
come back to the store, they’ll tell me what they
think. So I’m getting an instant response from
part of my fanbase. That gives me a pretty good
idea of how to market it.
I see u grindin’. So I know the other
artist
in your area see u grindin'. I know somebody's
doin’ some hatin’? Especially since u just bought
that ‘04
Dodge Magnum (laughing).
LT: Of course. There’s gonna always
be somebody
doin' that. I'm just out here hustlin’. Tryin’ to
be seen and heard
man. They see me shining in the streets and
they wanna know where all my fame is coming
from. It’s coming from the way my record sells. They
don’t know how I’m gettin’ it. The way I’m
gettin’
it, is just being out in the streets promoting. So
get down or get back. U know ?
Where are some of the areas you’ve
been hittin’ lately ?
LT: Nashville, Memphis, the Mississippi
Delta,
Atlanta, Birmingham, and Texas. I’ll be headed
up to New York soon. I got some promotion and
mixtape features planned up there.
What cha got after that ?
LT: I’m workin’ on a underground
mix tape and a hot, hot single for the Fall. If any -
body wants to feature on the mix tape, call me
and let’s get this thang poppin’.
Contact : Lil’ Tony (662) 436- 0105
Email : liltony@platinumkees.com
www.cdbaby.com/liltony
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