Published: 12:00 AM, Thu Mar 11, 2010
Listen Up: DJ Tony Mannsion talks about Malign20
DJ Tony Mannsion and Malign20 Listening Party
When: Friday at 9 p.m.
Where: Sunset Coffee Shop in Bronco Square at 1047 Murchison Road, Suite 118.
Admission: Free
Want more? Call 483-0189 or visit myspace.com/djtonymannsion or www.myspace.com/2pacisalivewhenirhyme
If you ask DJ Tony Mannsion about the state of hip-hop, he'll quickly tell you that there's still hope for the genre.
"Hip-hop, I don't think it's dead," he said. "I think it's on hold until someone comes along and takes that torch to ignite it and help bring hip-hop back."
The New York native's sentiments are demonstrated on his upcoming album, "Tupac is Alive When I Rhyme," that will be released under his label, Mannsion Entertainment/ 1 Nation G Movement.
The album will be previewed at a listening party at the Sunset Coffee Shop on Friday.
For this record, Mannsion served as the executive producer and partnered with his label artist and Chicago-bred rapper, Malign20.
The rapper won't be at the listening party, but he will do a call-in before the show begins, Mannsion said.
The DJ, who has lived here three years, said there are more projects to come after this record. But until then, Mannsion talked to Weekender Street Edition about the new album, his hip-hop influences and his other hustles.
Weekender: Tell me about your label.
Mannsion: Well, I have Malign20, and I have a producer called Cyn Rok. He's the next up-and-coming producer in my camp. I also have my own DVD company called Husttle DVD. That stands for Hard Underground (Stuff) That Travels Live Everywhere. I did an interview with J Cole. That'll be coming out on DVD real soon, also.
Weekender: How long have you been involved with music?
Mannsion: I've been producing for 10 years. It's been running in my family. My cousin is the second DJ in the history of hip-hop. DJ Baron (of The Brothers Disco). It's in the blood (laughs).
Weekender: How many albums have you produced over the years?
Mannsion: I've done five albums. The first one is "G- Certified." The second one was "Street Generals," then "Another Blackhand Vol. 1," and "From G's To Gents." So this "Tupac is Alive When I Rhyme" is the fifth one.
Weekender: What can folks expect to hear on this latest record?
Mannsion: They can expect to hear good music. It defines the true meaning of hip-hop. Nowadays, you got people coming out with this music, and they're not really saying nothing. They're just recycling verses they used in past music. It's not even real.
This CD is made by the people who actually talk about the stuff that's going on in the ghetto and actually living it.
Weekender: So tell me about your artist, Malign20, and his role on the album.
Mannsion: He's inspired by all of Tupac's music. He has that same sound of voice that Tupac has. And he has a similar background as Tupac, when it comes to the political point of views.
Weekender: What are your favorite tracks on the album?
Mannsion: "Wash My Hands Away." It's about growing up in poverty, in the ghetto. It's like when you see a lot of things going on in your homefront, in your neighborhood, you want to get away from it, but you just can't do it. Because you have no control over your surroundings in that early age in life. But as you grow older, you have more control.
Weekender: So after the listening party, what's up next for you and your artists?
Mannsion: Malign is coming out with a debut album called "Similar Ain't the Same." But I can't give you a release date. This will be the most controversial release in any album in rap history. ... We're also about to have a promo tour coming up in the next couple of months.
Staff Writer Jessica De Vault can be reached at devaultj@fayobserver.com or 609-0649.