Born in Kitwe and raised in Lusaka City, Tony Dalitso Phiri, rap alias ‘Tony Grammz’, born on 28th January 1994 was interested in music at a very tender age. Nephew of singing sensation and Idols Zambia winner Tasila Mwale, Grammz was exposed to various genres of music as he grew up. Showing great passion for Rap, Hip Hop and Rock music, he learnt how to play guitar and is currently perfecting this fine art. During the year 2009 in his tenth grade, he met aspiring Rap Artist Collins ‘Krisn-I’ Nzovu and together they shared their passion for conscious Rhythm and Poetry. They performed at school organised variety shows and various music related functions, writing and composing their own songs. Krisn-I introduced Grammz to the So’ Good Entertainment crew at their Rap and Hip Hop Expo known as the Cypher +260 in the year 2010. This was held at St. Paul’s Secondary school where he charmed the crowd and the So’ Good management with his rap skill. At another Cypher held later that year, he proved himself once again and begun to talk about being signed to So’ Good with one of So’Good managers Chifumbe ‘Beretta’ Sikazweh. A couple of months later after mainly popularizing all So’ Good music and
products, he was successfully signed to the label and is currently a Rap Artist under them.
VISION:
He is exploring all areas of his God Given talent and plans to work with all artists at So’ Good and produce quality sound for the industry. Realising that the music industry in Zambia is slowly but gradually diversifying in the type of music that is being produced, he wishes to forge ahead and grow as an artist and help deliver the unique Zambian style onto the international market.
INFLUENCES:
The raw form of Rap and Hip Hop artists that pioneer the Industry in the shadows and are enriched with talent beyond belief are my true inspiration, such as Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, Mike Shinoda, Pharoah, Black Thought, e.t.c. As well as exemplary Rock artists including Blink 182, One Republic, Linkin Park and Good Charlotte.
KAPA187: How did you come up with the name tony Grammz ?
Tony Grammz: Honestly I can’t really remember how the name Tony Grammz stuck, though it comes all the way from High School. From the 10th Grade I think.
KAPA187: What made take music seriously as a career?
Tony Grammz: I have always loved music. As I grew up, a lot of people told me I was actually good at it. So I decided not to hold back and just dive into it.
KAPA187: Being the nephew of Tasila mwale, what has she taught you about the music industry?
Tony Grammz: She has taught me a lot, from how to be humble no matter how popular you get, to how to have a listening ear and learn how to blend with instrumentals.
KAPA187: The hip-hop industry is really growing in Zambia, who are some of the local acts you look up to?
Tony Grammz: I look up to a number of Zambian artists. Top of my list though are F Jay, K.R.Y.T.I.C and Thugga.
KAPA187: What makes you stand out from the rest of the upcoming artists?
Tony Grammz: I would say what I rap about and how it blends with what I rap to. My sound is a mixture of new school lyrics and old school vibes.
KAPA187: So good entertainment has a lot of talented musicians, do you get intimidated by them, or do they inspire you.
Tony Grammz: I do not get intimidated at all. They are all more than inspirational and are always there to guide me where needed and salute me when I do good.
KAPA187: Apart from music what other activities do you take part in?
Tony Grammz: If I am not playing basketball or studying, I’m hanging out with my fellow So’ Good artists or other friends.
KAPA187: Is there anything your fans would be surprised to know about you.
Tony Grammz: I am only 18 and studying my Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering in Europe.
KAPA187: What has been the best moment in your life?
Tony Grammz: The first time I made it onto the basketball team back in High School.
KAPA187: Describe your sound in 3 words
Tony Grammz: Old but New.
KAPA187: Where can your fans get your music?
Tony Grammz: www.vibedeck.com/tonygrammz
www.soundcloud.com/tonygrammz
www.sogoodonline.tumblr.com
KAPA187: Any last words…
Tony Grammz: Tony Grammz is here to stay. Let us all enjoy music together.
Ndeloleshafye
What is this??
Keep up the good work
Good interview .Â
TEAM so goodÂ
Shoutout to Kapa :) Great Stuff.
And thats my brother from another mother, you gat my back!
But why the silly slave name? You can still be a star with Your ethnic African I’d maan!
Nice one bruh, keep lifting the flag higher..
To start and run an airline is one thing. To close it is quite another.
Who on earth decided to do that around the busiest time of year – when all other airlines are fully booked. All passengers are stuck with little or no alternative at Xmas.
To get something achieved in Zambia or Zimbabwe was always a nightmare. Huge amounts of staff, except the one we needed. Secretaries never knew where their bosses were, or if and when they would be back that day to solve problems caused by themselves.
Unlike at the home base, we never had issues with the European offices in Rome, Amsterdam and London. Small, very efficient, with a few loyal, multitasking and multilingual staff, each dealing with a large number of countries.
With a similar set-up everywhere else closing could have been avoided!