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theSun sits with Grammy-winning singer-songwriter as he dishes on life, music
A voice like melted butter and slippery smooth runs – this tenor has been whispering
sweet rhymes since 2013.
Co-writing Chris Brown’s platinum single Liquor to name a few, Antonio Stith (Tone Stith) has since been leaving his ink on the expanding blueprint of R&B. And a decade later in the industry, the New Jersey-native still yearns to sway the critics as they groove to his silky vocals.
Spinning a fresh record and ushering in a new era, the 30-year-old Grammy-winning singer-songwriter-producer sat down with theSun recently for a chat about music and
life.
Finding his artistic identity
Growing up and listening to music by R&B and pop giants such as Michael Jackson and Prince, this genre was the natural “stepping block” for Tone.
“I can’t really put one above the other because I just love everything about them individually,” he said, not leaving out the R&B imprint left by the legendary Stevie Wonder on him.
Raised in a household that loves playing older music, Tone takes inspiration from that generation, but puts his own spin to it.
“I’ve developed my own style of singing, just pulling and studying from Michael Jackson.”
Tone later expressed his mother was his main musical catalyst and she was a singer herself.
“She pretty much taught me everything I know. She has a sort of jazz influence. So, just being around her and learning her riffs and runs, I was able to find my own footing.
“So, when I recreate or create new songs, I’m always pulling from different generations of music, but still adding myself to it.”
His musically-rich childhood helped Tone find his true artistic identity, but it was working with industry giants that refined the authenticity.
“So, it’s where it all comes from. Just being in that space, and being able to get
in a room with Chris Brown and different people, and play songs even before being an artiste…
“And that for me was a confirmation, you know what I mean?”
Claiming the space that is already his, Tone has only one way to go and it is forward.
Tone, as a singer-songwriter
Having collaborated with mega names such as Ty Dolla $ign, Swae Lee and Quavo, Tone finds identity in his first project Can We Talk?
“When I put that project out, a lot of the songs caught on but specifically, there was a song called Let Me that did really (well) and seemed to carry this project.”
He shared many have done dance and singing covers of the track. So, the record defined his musical career.
“My first project for me (was a) definitive ‘okay, I’m here to stay’.”
Trusting his artistic identity, Tone has found his sound in making music that he loves. As an artiste with sonic conviction, inspiration is rather sporadic for Tone. He shared musical inspiration is in every corner of his life –and when it comes to melody or lyrics, it always changes.
“For me, it always changes,” he said, adding that playing and producing records are his greatest strengths but it really depends on the day.
“Sometimes, I will hear something and it can be verbatim (of) what somebody says… like a really cool quote and I’ll just start singing the first thing that comes to mind with that quote.”
“It kind of just happens, you know,” quipped Tone.
Tone also admitted creators such as him can get a little lost in their own world.
“Sometimes, you’ve got to get out of your own bubble and pay attention to what’s going on around you because you could pull from anything.”
For instance, one of his songs, Pageant Stage, came from a conversation he had with his producers.
“We were talking about something and somebody said, ‘straight from the pageant stage’ – and I just started singing a melody right with that quote.”
Tone reaffirmed inspirations come from conversations and “what you read”.
“It is really important to touch on things that people feel strongly about, and give your
opinion through your music.”
On the changing music landscape, as consumption shifts from tangible records to digital and the rapid nature of TikTok that dictates the sonic evolution due to virality,
Tone’s focus is only on making timeless music.
“When your subject matter is a big thing – whatever you’re talking about or speaking on has to be something that anybody, from any generation, can relate to…
“When you pull from those places, it doesn’t matter what it sounds like or what it feels like, as long as the message is very relatable all across the board,” he said, echoing his previous statement about writing with sincerity and purpose.
He said that is his mantra for staying relevant in an ever-changing industry.
New music, message to fans
“Exciting!” Tone described his new album The Edge, which drops today. He coined the expression “The Sound of Freedom” as he said this album is the epitome of freedom, as it is experimental, thus adding a little “edge” to his usual R&B sound.
“Like I said, it’s what freedom sounds like.”
As his fans anticipate his latest record, Tone expresses his love for his growing fandom in Malaysia.
He shared lovingly with his Malaysian fans: “I know, we’re still growing. It’s still starting out – but I hope this year, I can have a show there and meet the fans in person.
“I don’t care if it’s 20 people, two people. I want to be there. I want to meet y’all. I can’t wait to see y’all soon.”
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