From Cali to The Chi Tone Paay Evolving Hip-Hop
BIO
Life & Times…
Artists are inspired daily, from the rapid evolution of Hip-Hop, to the dust under the pile of vinyl’s old folks like to call, “dusties”. No matter what form the inspiration is derived, new and improved artist are breaking into the music doors with the hinges falling off! Take Hip-Hop phenomenon, Tone Paay for example, an Oakland California native conquering all ends of the music stick in just three years. Considering himself a recording artist, engineer, and MC; Antone Korvel Monroe is destined driven in the industry’s limelight!
Growing up on the West coast allowed Antone to capture and hold on to what now may be a career for him, music. The oldest of three was born in Berkley, California on 10/31/1977. His family later migrated to Oakland where the young musician would begin MC’ing at his high school, James Logan, a local H/S in Union City, California. His time was spent studying but when lunch time came, the aspiring MC broke out the talent inspiring other talent in the school to “step up to the plate” and eat what was good! The early free styling symbolized “coolness” and differentiated the “in-crowd” at Logan; Monroe was elated to have been the stepping ladder at those times. In the summer of 2007, his ladders begin to slowly but surely spiral into a musical rollercoaster ride. Monroe linked up with known California musicians, “The Caliban”, “C.I.A. or Chronic Inhaling Agency”, Shock G of “Digital Underground” and the Luniz who would later be known for their platinum selling records of the ‘90’s, including smash hit, “I got five on it”, a parody of marijuana and its prices!
While collaborating and learning from the many West coast legends, Monroe adapted a passion for music that he hadn’t had before. Antone Monroe was tapping into who is now known to many as TonePaay, which means “NewThousand”. Although many of the group members were family and close friends, “Numskull” is responsible for introducing the infant star to many big names in the industry and the game itself; “music is my life”, says Monroe; “I want to teach the future what’s up”. With the heart of a heap lion and ambitious attitude, it wasn’t difficult for Monroe to find his way in the music industry in the summer of 2008 when forced to relocate to Chicago IL. Monroe was initially brought to Dolton, IL to assist his mother when her health began to fail.
In 2011 Newthousand Ent. released a mixtape album "Operation Stack or Starve" on Datpiff.com and 2012 another mixtape album "Stop Hatin Get Money also released on Datpiff.com. Tonepaay as an artist has evolved with the time as time passes him by, however the motivational drive he has pushes him to become more creative in the art of making a hit song that the people will love forever. All production of mixing and mastering was done by Mr. Monroe and some help of different engineering friends like Cayex Illa, Wesley Rodgers, and Matt Hennessy.
Although the young star is still an independent contractor, his goals and main objectives thus far are with and through Newthousand Ent. His time is spent exultantly learning more about the engineering aspect of his craft and performing frequently to build a stronger fan base. He is currently working on his debut solo release entitled “Tonepaayology:The Knowledge of Tonepaay.TonePaay stresses the fact that he isn’t into the fame and fortune this industry has to offer. His satisfaction comes from writing and producing quality music for the people! Monroe views the entertainment industry as a façade to many, and hopefully his noble and humble approach continues to take him outlying. Years from now the artist/MC/engineer can see himself ghostwriting, and being behind the scenes; although Monroe says, ”I don’t want to be the next big star”, the industry may have other plans!
Q: Can you tell the readers about your new project and the back ground and inspirations behind it?
A: The name of my new project is "TONEPAAYOLOGY: THE KNOWLEDGE OF TONEPAAY
and this is an album that i have been working on with some of the best up and coming producers from Oakland to Chicago. Its self titled Tonepaayology because this album represents the struggle of being an independent artist growing up to a businessman and the knowledge of the creator of Newthousand Muzic learning from his mistakes to make it to the top of the charts. What inspired me most to put this album together is that many artist that i started rapping with retied from the game which makes me more motivated to keep moving forward toward success.
Q: Can you recite a few bars that inspired you to start doing music?
A: These bars that Yukmouth 1/2 of the Luniz said "I went to school
with a taylor in my ear lob, avoiding all the dick teaser, skeezers and weirdo's
fuckin off the land like where the bomb at, give me $2 bucks, take a puff and pass my bomb back......
That right there was so real that everybody knew some one like that and it was the truth. When i heard that i was like i wanna rap that realness so the world can feel it.
Q: What was the first album you bought?
A: ALL EYEZ ON ME.....2PAC
Q: To you what is your definition of a wack emcee? And what makes a great emcee?
A: A whack Mc is rapper with no creativity, no originality, no message, and one who doesn't give back to the hood or community, therefore forgetting where they came from sell out. A great Mc is one that can move the crowd with his/her words creating a good vibe that makes people feel the way they where feeling when the song was created, so the world can enjoy the moment. A great Mc also is one who speaks the truth and not sell lies to the
youth, the youth looks up to them as role models and whack Mcs are killing our youth.
Q: What is your dream collaboration track for a future album? Producer and feature artist?
A: I would really like to work with Dr. Dre, on the production sides of things.
Q: How do
you feel about the up and coming hip-hop/rap movement at the moment do things need to change
A: I feel that music in the hip hop game is becoming water down music artist are more about how much money they got and less about how to stay alive with all the money they got. The listeners are becoming mindless zombies due to the lack of knowledge given in the message of a rap song, not saying all hip hop artist follow this pattern but majority rules in America.
