SUNDAY SCHOOL

TONE CAPONE...In the volatile world of music, most industry insiders vie to climb the corporate ladder and hold steadfast to the hope of stability in an unpredictable and chaotic business. But then there are the chosen few; the trailblazers; the trendsetters; the ones who build their own path for the rest to imitate. Constructing his empire one venture at a time is a 35-year-old entrepreneur donning a plethora of hats including label exec, Hot 97 radio producer, marketing guru, as well as on-air talent. Meet Tone Capone - the Bronx native conquering the music and radio game with true passion and insight for this thing called hip-hop - and yes folks this is by far just the beginning. My ultimate goal is to retire in 2 or 3 years! explains Tone. Ive always been the type of person who doesnt place any limitations on the future. Whatever I can get my hands on, Im with it. For the past decade, the shape and structure of music has shifted in part due to Tones Midas touch. From garnering radio spins and stretching the mainstream envelope for artists such as R-Kelley, Mobb Deep and Justin Timberlake, Tone established a permanent foothold in the music biz holding down the promotions department for Jive Records in the new millennium. Currently delivering the same raw insight and energy for TVT Records as the Associate Urban Music Director, this visionary has once again re-defined the notion of autonomy. I wanted to go to TVT because they are the underdog independent label, he says. I felt like they were a free spirit. They do what they want to do; theyre underdogs selling big records . . . I was like damn; I want to be a part of that movement! I like being a part of something that everyone doubts. I went over there and we got platinum selling Grammy nominated Ying Yang Twins, certified gold Pitbull. I didnt do it myself, but I had a big hand in it and Im glad I was a part of that movement. In addition to holding down the fort at TVT, Tone is the executive producer for the only news and politically oriented show on New Yorks Hot 97, Street Soldiers. Hosted by Fox 5 reporter Lisa Evers, Street Soldiers addresses an array of issues affecting the hip-hop community where Tone and his staff work diligently in executing the shows weekly broadcast to millions of listeners. And when hes not flexing his muscle at the radio station, the young exec is involved in one of his million other projects which include consulting for independent record labels and artists via his company Street Legal, handling marketing for hip-hops star search aka the Fight Klub (a bi-weekly battle aired on MTV 2 and distributed through Universal Music thanks to Tone), or penning his latest book rightfully titled Get Signed: A guide for the aspiring MC. I know how to reach people, explains Tone. Everybody wants information, and they want to read about it. Get Signed is exactly that, an informational guide. For Tone Capone the pivotal launch of his triumphant career began in his college days at Stonybrook University where the undergrad worked as an on-air radio DJ for the campus station. At a time when college radio played an intricate role in the promotions department of record companies, Tone was able to establish vital relationships with executives and began his rise in the interlocked worlds of radio and music. Along his road of success, the man with no end in sight worked as a VJ for the Latin television show The Roof (broadcast in several Latin American countries), in the promotions department of crossover radio station WPLJ, and produced a comedy series known as the Comedy Jump Off which is currently being distributed via Image Studios and will hit the market this year. Right now Im consulting on an upcoming Poker Tournament with Snoop, adds Tone. There are a few more things in the works Im not quite done yet! See, Ive been lucky enough to utilize my love and knowledge of music and translate it into a rewarding career. At the end of the day I can look back and say yes, I was a part of that era. Lucky for the rest of us, that era is far from dawning.