The Source.com spotlights: TONA
Hailing from Ghana Africa, Kwame Nantwi’s name, “Tona”, was given to him because of
his distinctive tone of voice, which he uses not only to project his rhymes, but also a unique style
that transcends the typical boundaries of the Hip hop genre.
By the time he recorded his first EP, Tona appeared in the 2004 CBC documentary
Rhyme Pays: Hip Hop and the Marketing of Cool, a one hour special for CBC MARKETPLACE
that discussed hip hop from a marketing standpoint. The film featured Russell Simmons, Damon
Dash and was scored by producer, Agile, (Nas, Methodman). Also featured was Tona, one of
three rappers invited to battle in the film, performing his original track, “Handle Your B.I.”
In 2005, Tona launched his own licensing company, Da District Entertainment, a tribute
to his home district of Scarborough.
“Hip hop in Scarborough feels like the foundation of the culture to me.” says Tona, “You couldn’t
go no where in our city and not interact with it some how. Even if you didn’t understand it, it was
there – the music, the streets, the culture. I love my city for that.”
The label is meant to help preserve a genuine hip hop movement, which Tona believes is not
about gimmicks or slogans, but real people creating real music. Tona has had 5 major releases
on the label, including his upcoming LP, Silverspring Crescent.
Tona has shared the stage with the likes of Lupe Fiasco, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Redman &
Method Man, EPMD, The Legendary Roots Crew, Black Milk, Crazy Legs of the monumental
Rocky Steady B-boy Crew, Brooklyn’s Masta Ace, Kardinal Offishall, Talib Kweli, Jay Electronica,
Saukrates, Large Professor, etc.
Debuting on theSource.com here’s 2 of his new singles ‘Nympho’ and ‘W**d and Alcohol’
Tona Lp “SILVERSPRING CRESCENT” out JUNE 18th!
Real Hip Hop at its finest.
We Salute you Tona!
-CourtneyBrown (@CourtneyBrown)
