Tony Touch
Background information
Birth nameJoseph Anthony Hernandez
Born (1969-07-02) July 2, 1969
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
GenresHip hop, reggaeton, house
Occupation(s)Record producer
singer-songwriter
break dancer
DJ
Years active1980s–present
LabelsTouch Entertainment
Websitetonytouch.com

Joseph Anthony Hernandez (born July 2, 1969), professionally known as Tony Touch, is an American hip hop break dancer, rapper, record producer and DJ of Puerto Rican descent.

Career

Tony Touch began as a B-boy during the rap music renaissance era of the early 1980s.[1] Heavily influenced by pioneers like Crazy Legs and the Rock Steady Crew, Grandmaster Flash, Red Alert, Little Louie Vega and Jam Master Jay, he quickly shifted his interests towards the turntables.[1] Tony is known for his mixtapes the 50 MC's. His mixtapes have featured guest appearances from Boot Camp Clik, Eminem, KRS-One, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Wyclef Jean, M.O.P., Big L, and Mos Def.[1]

In 2000, Tony released his debut album The Piece Maker on Tommy Boy Records.[2] It sold 400,000 units worldwide and featured guest appearances from Big Pun, Cypress Hill, Wu-Tang Clan, Busta Rhymes, Eminem, and Gang Starr.[2]

In 2000 the single "I Wonder Why" featuring Total was released. The music video featured cameos from John Leguizamo, Rock Steady Crew, Grandmaster Flash, The Awesome 2, Marley Marl, and DJ Premier.[3]

Since then, Tony Touch has released The Piece Maker 2, which featured guest appearances from Puff Daddy, Fat Joe, Sean Paul, Snoop Dogg, and Ruben Blades.[4]

Tony Touch is also known to represent the urban Latino community with his Spanglish lyrics and Salsa roots.[5] This is the result of him growing up with salsa at home and hip-hop influence in his lifestyle.[5]

In 2005 Tony signed to EMI records releasing a reggaeton album, ReggaeTony.[6] The lead single "Play That Song" featured Nina Sky and B-Real of Cypress Hill.[6] The CD included collaborations with artists such as Tego Calderon, Zion and Lenox, Pitbull, Ivy Queen, NORE, Voltio, Mexicano, Thirston Howl III, and Soni. The album went gold, and EMI moved quickly to release ReggaeTony 2.[7] This CD featured Lumidee, Plan B, Joell Ortiz, Tru Life, Don Chezina, and the Beatnuts.[7] To this date Tony has sold over a million records worldwide.[7]

On July 16, 2013, his sixth album The Piece Maker 3: Return of the 50 MC's was released and featured guest appearances from Busta Rhymes, Reek da Villain, Roc Marciano, Lil' Fame, Too Short, Xzibit, Kurupt, B-Real, Papoose, Uncle Murda, Black Thought, Styles P, Sheek Louch, Jadakiss, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, RZA, Eminem, Twista, Bun B, Action Bronson, Prodigy, Joell Ortiz, Royce da 5'9", KRS-One, Crooked I, Redman, Method Man, N.O.R.E., and Erick Sermon.[8]

In 2016 he paired up with Austin Brown to collaborate as CaliYork. They released the single "Show Up At My Place" in September.[9]

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

  • 1998: The Rican-Struction

Partial mixtape discography

  • 1991: Hip Hop Volume 1
  • 1996: Power Cypha: 50's MCs
  • 1997: Power Cypha 2
  • 1999: Power Cypha 3: The Grand Finale
  • 2002: B-Boy Breaks 3: James Brown Tribute
  • 2003: R&B Volume 30: The Love Session
  • 2010: Feel Good
  • 2011: Feel Good # 2

Collaborations

  • 1997: 5 Deadly Venoms of Brooklyn (w/ Evil Dee, Mister Cee, PF Cuttin and Premier)
  • 1997: The Diaz Brother (w/ Doo Wop)
  • 1998: Hip Hop 59 ft FunkMaster Flex
  • 1998: Terrorist Activity (w/ DJ Khaled)
  • 1999: The Diaz Brother: 2 for 5 (w/ Doo Wop)
  • 2000: The Diaz Brothers: Live In Japan (w/ Doo Wop)
  • 2002: The Diaz Brothers 3 (hosted by Kay Slay)
  • 2003: Mucho Muchacho – Chulería

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions
AUS
[10]		 UK
[11]
"I Wonder Why (He's the Greatest DJ)"
(featuring Keisha and Pam of Total)		 2000 9568
"Play That Song"
(featuring Nina Sky and B-Real)		 2005 ——

References

  1. 1 2 3 "DJ Tony Touch Interview | Tony Toca Mixtapes". Latinrapper.com. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  2. 1 2 Michael Gallucci (April 18, 2000). "The Piece Maker – Tony Touch | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  3. ↑ "iTunes – Music – The Piece Maker by Tony Touch". Itunes.apple.com. January 1, 2000. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  4. ↑ David Jeffries (February 24, 2004). "The Piece Maker, Vol. 2 – Tony Touch | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  5. 1 2 Keith Nelson Jr (@JusAire) (June 20, 2013). "EXCLUSIVE: DJ Tony Touch on Piece Makers 3, Eminem's "Symphony In H" + More (VIDEO)". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  6. 1 2 David Jeffries (March 29, 2005). "The Reggaetony Album – Tony Touch | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 "Reggaetony 2 – Tony Touch | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  8. ↑ Paine, Jake (July 8, 2013). "Tony Touch "Piece Maker 3" Release Date, Tracklist & Album Stream". HipHop DX. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  9. ↑ "New Music: CaliYork (Austin Brown & DJ Tony Touch) - Show Up At My Place - YouKnowIGotSoul.com". September 16, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  10. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 283.
  11. ↑ "Tony Touch featuring Total | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
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