2013-03-25

Center for Public History, University of Houston; University of Houston Libraries, University of Houston

This is an oral history interview with Anthony Jude Obi conducted as part of the Houston History Project. Anthony Obi is a Houston native Nigerian-American rap artist that goes by the name “Fat Tony.” Having an interest in music since a very young age, Fat Tony began making music with a group of friends during his high school years. After the group's disbandment Fat Tony released his first song called “Love Life” while collaborating with local artist Hollywood Floss. Fat Tony cites his earliest influences to an early 2000s single called “Oh Boy” by Cam‟Ron and Juelz, two Roc-a-fella Records artists. Tony also pays tribute to 80s DIY punk bands by working outside of the mainstream music industry. Houston is well known for a style of music called chopped and screwed, a subgenre of remixed rap music that has become characteristic of southern hip hop. Fat Tony raves on about DJ Screw's original sound and how it rose to popularity right before Screw's death in the late 1990s. Also discussed is the genre's association with “purple drank,” a cough syrup mixture, and how Houston rap has become synonymous with drugs. The distinction between rap and hip-hop is also defined by Fat Tony, who elaborates on his thoughts on hip hop culture, the state of modern music and currently popular artists including Childish Gambino and Kendrick Lamar.

interviews

Arts; Rap (Music); Rap (Music); Fat Tony (Rapper)

Houston, Texas

Oral Histories from the Houston History Project

University of Houston Libraries Special Collections

English

Collection
University of Houston Libraries Special Collections
Houston History Archives
Oral Histories from the Houston History Project

Preservation Location: ark:/84475/pm0170ms824