Meet Tone P | Artist, Producer and Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tone P and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tone, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
1. The most important factors behind my success have been consistency and authenticity. Staying consistent with my career and remaining authentic to my GOGO infused sound. These factors have truly shaped the identity of my Music Production career catalog and my identity as an Artist with the #GOGOpunk sound as Tone P & Tha Carry Out. Infusing Gogo music with Hip-hop for major artist and now Gogo with Punk music as an artist has positioned me to be a frontrunner for GOGO music co-leading the political movement and organization #DontMuteDC, that was responsible for making the genre the official music of DC passing legislation in 2019.

2. I decided to pursue a career in music when I discovered my ability to be exceptional at being creative with music. That sparked a vision where I was able to see that I could make a living for not only for myself, but for my entire family as well. For me, Gogo music was the soundtrack to the streets where I was raised in Southwest, Washington, D.C.. GOGO, a DC based music genre, was the popular music amongst all genres growing up. Artist like Backyard Band and Uncalled 4 Band (UCB) were the city’s biggest sound. I started rapping with a local group called the Hot Ones in Syphax Gardens in Southwest. This experience led me to making beats while still rapping with the group. This introduced me to creating songs from top to bottom and exploring the process of writing lyrics. When I paired up with my cousin Craig B to form BKS, I wanted to sound more unique as my brand would start to grow; and so I decided to incorporate GOGO music infused with hip-hop type beats within my music production to represent not only myself, but DC’s rich music and culture.

3. My thought process behind starting my business was simple. After selling a significant amount of beats in my teenage years to artist like Wale, Logic and Raheem DeVaughn to name a few, I gained experience early on experimenting turning profit on a product. This period showed me that a person could make money for themselves as an entrepreneur vs. the traditional path of working for a company. So by time I graduated high school, I was already focused in on making a living in the music business and becoming successful just like most of the people that our communities look up to. My thought process was simple and confident which was “If they can do it, I can do it”.

#Gogopunk embodies all elements of my life past and present! This authentic and fresh new sound is what I, as an artist want to spread across the world. We are changing the look and feel of Gogo music while still keeping it’s original sound and patterns with timbales, congos bass riffs and more. Now, #Gogopunk and its sound is my business and yours. Tune in!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My music embodies the a perfect mesh sound of Punk, Gogo, Rock, with an edge of hip-hop sound that gives you the #GOGOPUNK sound that was heavily influenced by bands like NERD, Backyard Band, Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Uncalled 4 Band and more.

What I think has always set me apart is that Ive stuck to my roots with incorporating GOGO rhythms and drum patterns in my music which I’ve branded all while breaking the rules at the same time lol. My style is a complete reflection of creating my way and not caring what anyone has to say about it and i’m excited to spread our music and the culture around the world. #Gogotothegrammys

Behind bold thinking requires a bit of Risk taking which in my opinion is the backbone to big success in any form. I would have never became a multi-platinum and multi award nominated Artist, Producer, and Songwriter, if I didn’t take risk. After my first year of college, I left to pursue a career in music and that was a big risk. It was not easy, However, deciding to take on an industry with no mentors in the beginning to help guide me was a risk and worth it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The Beltline and Piedmont Park to walk around, explore, and meet awesome people.
Grant Park if you like to walk / jog.
The Bluffs if you want to get robbed.
Northside Tavern if you like local live music.
Hob Knobb and Ponkos have great trivia nights.
Joes Coffeehouse on the Eastside.. there empanadas are killer.
Little Five Points if your into the Arts.
Patrina Cocina for Mexican Food.
Naan Thai for excellent Indian food.
La Fonda for Mexican American food.
Q Time is you want some home cooked soul food on the westside.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to Shoutout the entire music scene in Washington, DC and Atlanta, Ga. There are so many people who helped me during my humble beginnings and success journey. Too many to name but they know who they are.

Website: http://tonep.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialtonep

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/officialtonep

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@officialtonep

Image Credits
Vernon Davis
EZ Street