Tony Cortez

Tony Cortez (also known as TC) was born in Atlanta-Eastpointe, GA to Margaret Ann and William Howard Griswold.....................At the age of four, Tony Cortez was introduced to piano instructor Irene Lorio of Royal Oak where his passion and gift for music was realized. Despite the financial struggle, TC’s mother bought him a piano which he would practice at home after school. Her strict dedication and determination to make him successful paid off.....................By the age of ten, he proved to be a straight A student and was considered for a grade promotion. At the same age, he was able to sheet read advanced level music composition, and perform memorized piano pieces by composers such as Scott Joplin, Beethoven, Bach, Mozart and other renown musicians. He was referred by many as a musical maestro and an academic genius. On Sundays, TC would accompany his step-father, Rev Jethro F. Hill Sr. in church on the organ and keyboard. He was frequently invited to play for audiences in various auditions and recitals throughout the Michigan area.....................In his early teen years, Tony Cortez and his parents relocated from the projects of Pontiac into the middle class suburb of Oak Park, on the border of 8 mile near Detroit. This is where he began writing and rhyming lyrics. At age 14, he started producing Hip Hop music, and recorded his first songs with his friend Bryant “Pep” Johnson (present CEO of Detroit based music company, SICK NOTES) and co-producer of “How Come” by Eminem and D12.....................In 2002, TC was accepted into Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts and graduated as the top student of 15, with a Radio/Video Certification, also receiving the highest Honor in Video Concentration known as the ‘Rossano Award’.....................Formerly known as ‘The Cleanest‘, Tony Cortez has traveled and performed in many events, showcases and auditions in the Detroit, Chicago, Brooklyn and St. Louis areas. In the event of all these, he gained the interest of a few major record labels and distribution companies such as Capitol Imaging Group, Sonic Wave International, Def Jam and Sony.....................In 2006, he relocated to Brooklyn, NY to pursue a recording contract and within 2 months was accepted and interviewed by A&R Darrah Macintosh of Atlantic Records in Manhattan. Little did he know though his life would soon dramatically turnaround. After his interview, TC claims that he received a clear call from the Lord, and the message was; “Tony, the gift & abilities I have given you was not intended for that music & lifestyle. If you sign that deal, you will fall far from My Grace. Trust ME with your life, I have something better for you!”.....................He admits that the experience in New York altered and enriched his life forever. Furthermore, he testifies that heeding the warning from the Holy Spirit, trusting and submitting totally to Jesus Christ has empowered him with a lasting faith, contentment and new musical creativity.....................He never followed up with Atlantic Records.....................The result of that tremendous decision has led Tony Cortez to create what is today known as, “SCRIPT HOP MUSIC!”.......................CONTACT INFO: 5318 Gladstone Place Apt. E, St. Louis, MO. 63121 phone:314.583.0811 or 314.898.5765 email: [email protected] website: www.myspace.com/tonycortezgI edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)