Roots and Culture
Posted Mar 13 2006
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When it comes to naming the top DJs in hip hop, it would be blasphemous not to mention Brooklyn, New York’s Tony Touch. Much more than one who simply rocks the crowd with his turntable antics, Tony is also an accomplished b-boy and MC and his influence goes beyond the club. Although he was born in New York, he spent time in Orlando, Florida, serving as an MC in the group IROC Nasty and Djing at an area radio station. Since returning to New York in the early nineties, he’s made a name for himself, putting out dozens of mixtapes. Beyond the mixtapes and DJing around the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean, Tony also has his own record label, Touch Entertainment, performs as an MC, alongside Doo-Wop in the group The Diaz Brothers, and represents the legendary Rock Steady breakdancing crew. As if that weren’t enough, last year he dropped his first full length album, The Piece Maker, which features guest artists such as Cypress Hill, Xzibit, and Detroit’s Royce The Five Nine. Despite his roots in hip hop, Tony represents Latinos and his Puerto Rican heritage to the fullest, which gets reflected on The Piece Maker’s overt Latino influence. At a recent appearance in Detroit, Tony was gracious enough to let Mi Gente pick his brain about hip hop and Latino culture.
MG: Why is it so important to represent Tainos?
TT: If you don’t know where you came from, then you don’t know where you’re going. A lot of Puerto Ricans, in my opinion, are not familiar with the history, in terms of the original people of the land of Borinquen, of Puerto Rico, that was Indio, that was Indian. So I’m into my tribe, I’m into my culture.
MG: What do you think is hip hop’s role in the Latino community?
TT: Latinos were right there with Blacks during the original manifestation of hip hop in the ‘70s. Back then in the Bronx, there was Blacks, and Puerto Ricans, and Dominicans all in the mix. We were there since the beginning and we’re still here. It just took a minute in terms of the rap world to realize that there are some talented Latino MCs. But pa’lante. We just got to keep it moving. I’d say for the youngsters, don’t be intimidated because this is ours, just as much as it is the Blacks. There have even been white people who’ve been down from the beginning. This is true culture for the oppressed. This is the voice of the ghetto. Anyone who is going through any type of oppression, this is your music.
MG: Do you have any words of wisdom for young people interested in pursuing a career in the hip hop industry?
TT: Know your history. Learn about real hip hop and where it came from…what the true essence of it is and once you’re familiar with that, I think you’ll have a respect for the culture, therefore you’ll have a longer career because you’ll know what you’re getting yourself involved with.
MG: What do you think of Michigan?
TT: I love it out here. There’s mad talent in Detroit. It’s one of the most happening cities in the country. There’s a lot of money out here, things move fast. I hope I can do more work out here.
For more information, check out www.tonytouch.com
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