In Washington, D.C., the unsung heroes of music are those with the soulful voices of R&B. In a culture of alternative music, these artists are often drowned out by the heavy percussion beats of Go-Go or outspoken by the newly emerging Rap and Hip-Hop artists. It is within those soulful sounds and meaningful lyrics that you find Anthony ‘Tony T’ McIver. A Washington, D.C. native, Anthony discovered his passion for music at an early age with his mom. “Momdukes always had Anita Baker, Luther...
In Washington, D.C., the unsung heroes of music are those with the soulful voices of R&B. In a culture of alternative music, these artists are often drowned out by the heavy percussion beats of Go-Go or outspoken by the newly emerging Rap and Hip-Hop artists. It is within those soulful sounds and meaningful lyrics that you find Anthony ‘Tony T’ McIver. A Washington, D.C. native, Anthony discovered his passion for music at an early age with his mom. “Momdukes always had Anita Baker, Luther Vandross, or The Stylistics blasting in car. I would sit and listen to them belt out heartfelt lyrics and think to myself that someday I want to do that.” Anthony was able to develop his vocal sound and expand his natural talent by joining the youth choirs at both John Wesley AME Zion Church and People’s Congregational Church of Christ at age nine. At age 11, Anthony began taking piano lessons as he entered junior high school. Anthony also joined the Jefferson Junior High School Wind Ensemble, the Jazz Ensemble not as a piano student but as a tuba player, where more of his musical talents were uncovered. “Playing the tuba helped me gain a profound appreciation for the bass instruments that hold the structure of a song together. The bass in the song is where I tend to create the melodies that embed themselves freely in the song.” After high school Anthony relocated to Tallahassee, Florida to attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. “Knowing the business side of music has been both a help and a hindrance. The business side sometimes influences the music because there is always that thought of being an industry standard, limiting the creative touch I posses. However, I will always strive to produce music that has a high level of authenticity as it finds it way in to the hearts of the masses.” Since relocating to Tallahassee Anthony has joined the Taliband, a band formed by D.C. natives that attend FAMU. Their love for Go-Go inspired them to bring a revamped style of music, which includes a heavy percussion beat mixed in with Anthony’s smooth high tenor voice. It was with the Taliband where Anthony was deemed ‘Tony T’ by friends and fellow band members. “As a new member of the band, I was told I would need a stage name to go by. I had a friend that is an inspiring DJ and hype-man that came up with the name out of the blue and it just stuck after while.” Motivated by R&B legends who sang about real love and heartache, ‘Tony T’ brings those same genuine and expressive lyrics and melodies to today’s generation. “I want people to vibe with me and my music and feel a chill that they can’t shake because my music echoes throughout their soul.”
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