They produced my whole album. I was signed to Loud Records, and when they folded, it was hard for me to get signed to another label because of politics and being Hispanic. Cool & Dre seen my struggle, and they’ve always been there for me. They had their own situation going on at Jive, and they felt that they had to come back and get the kid. I appreciate them and love them forever, they saved my life. They’re Terror Squad, so it’s always important to keep it within the family.
Is your album complete?
It’s basically wrapped up. We’re in the middle of mixing and mastering, and I’ve got to lay some ad-lib vocals down. I recorded half the album in New York and the other half here in Miami. It’s definitely an R&B album for the ladies. But I’m not your regular R&B dude, so of course I’ve got two or three gangsta joints on there for the fellas.
What’s your ultimate goal?
My definition of success is being able to take care of my children. As long as I can put a roof over their head and provide clothing, I’m happy. That’s success for me. Everybody strives for their highest position in life. I want to enjoy money, I want to enjoy nice cars, nice things, but most of all I want to take care of my children. I just love working. I’m happy when I’m doing my music.
What’s your first single?
My first single off the T.O.N.Y. album, “Oh My God,” is featuring P Diddy and DirtBag. We’re going to shoot the video in a few weeks. It’s going to be a sexy video, hot for the ladies. We’re going to shoot part of the video here in Miami and a couple of scenes at Joey’s restaurant in City Island.
Who else is featured on the album?
I do have some heavy hitters. Maybe I cheated, maybe I didn’t. I’ve got Ludacris, Alicia Keys, and the whole Terror Squad on the album. R Kelly did some production on the album. Everyone says I’m the Hispanic R Kelly, but those are big shoes to walk in. R Kelly is incredible. Right now he’s the Jesus Christ of the R&B game.
You don’t have any, uh, videotapes out there, do you?
No. I might be wild, I might be a party animal, but when it comes to the ladies, can’t no lady say that I’ve disrespected her. Without the ladies, I can’t be who I want to be. Ladies are the ones who will spend their money on CDs. I love the ladies, I show them the utmost respect. But if they want to get down and show the kid some love, that’s a different issue.
So you feel like some women disrespect themselves?
Yes. There are some dudes that are aggressive and don’t have respect. But at the same time, it’s up to the female. You’ve got to respect yourself and show the man that you ain’t tryin’ to be loose. It’s up to you.
What’s the chemistry like between you and Cool & Dre?
Cool & Dre are like my brothers. They were the missing links. After Pun passed away, I was in a shell for a long time. I didn’t know what I was going to do. I started rapping, I thought I was going to be a rapper. I forgot about my singing abilities, so when they came to the table, they were like, “Tony, you’ve got to get out of that shell.” They said I had incredible talent, and I had to utilize it to my utmost ability. I’m actually rapping on the Terror Squad album. People will be surprised to hear that, because back in the day they used to call me the male version of Lauryn Hill.
Are you crazy like Lauryn Hill?
I am, but in different ways. My mental is definitely in the right place.
So Cool & Dre helped you get focused?
They helped put me on the right track. When they got their little thing going, they didn’t forget about me. They came back for me when no one else believed that I could do it. Fat Joe has been behind me since I was twelve, and Cool & Dre are my brothers for life.
Are you ever going to do a Spanish album?
I started off when I was five or six years old singing Spanish ballads. I sung with a couple celebrities in the Spanish industry as a child. When I was about eight or nine, I discovered soul music and R&B. My mother had 8-tracks with Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, and Patti LaBelle. I fell in love with that style of music and knew that was what I wanted to do. But, you know, growing up in the Bronx is hard. I started getting into trouble, getting off-track and losing focus. That kept me away from my music for a while, but as I grew older, listening to Pun and Joe helped me get my life together. Years later, Cool & Dre came along, so here I am. I’m in the gym trying to get my physique right for the ladies. I was a little overweight for a minute. Me and Joe got scared, so now I got the gunman Pistol Pete with me. He goes everywhere with me, holds me down, punches people in the face for me. In every aspect of the game, he’s a legend.
Are you trying to get that LL Cool J physique?
I can’t get the LL, but I’m just trying to trim down a little bit. Not too big or bulky, I’m just trying to be right for myself and my health. I’ve got to be right. I can’t be losing my breath on stage.
So you won’t be labeled “soft.”
No, that’s what separates me from other R&B singers. Not to say that every R&B singer is soft, I know some who hold their ground. But I’m the only R&B singer that walks through with goons and gangstas. I’m not looking for other dudes to help me. I hold my ground myself.
Do you write most of your songs?
I do write, but on this album, I didn’t get the opportunity to get down the way I wanted to. Cool & Dre did most of the writing and production, but it mostly came from my emotions and feelings. They helped me write what I was feeling at the moment. They’d ask me how I felt about certain situations, I expressed my feelings, and they wrote about it. It’s crazy. Cool & Dre are incredible songwriters and producers. As far as my career goes, I owe it all to Joe and Cool & Dre, man.
