Tony T.

Tony T.
Background information
Birth name Neal Antone Dyer
Born 1971 (age 42-43)
London, England
Occupation(s) Singer, rapper, DJ
Years active 1996  present
Associated acts Beat System (1996),
R.I.O. (2008–2011)
Mike Candys
Sash!

Neal Antone Dyer better known by the stage name Tony T. (born in London in 1971) is a British singer, rapper and DJ of Jamaican origin,[1] best known as the frontman of German dance music projects Beat System and R.I.O..[2] His best known hit with R.I.O. was "Turn This Club Around" that reached number 3 in German Singles Chart and topped the Swiss Schweizer Hitparade chart, and was certified gold in both charts.[2]

Beginnings

Born to Jamaican parents, he resided early on in Brooklyn where he started DJing. After two years, he moved to Germany in 1985 where he worked as a resident DJ at the club Gaslight.[3]

1986–1998: Beat System

Starting 1986, he appeared in various projects under the name Beat System starting with "Noise Dance", a limited release in Germany. In the early 1990s came the singles "Dance Romance" and "Dance Romance Chapter Two" on Insania Records written by C. Kowatsch und Wormit and "Stay with Me" produced by Axel Breitung. Changing labels and signing with Blow Up and release of "Fresh" a cover of Kool & The Gang song that charted in Germany, followed by "Reggae Night", a cover of Jimmy Cliff. Intercord label released Beat System's debut and only album Refreshiator after which the project was dropped.[4]

Neal Antone aka Tony T. continued to lend his voice to various recordings notably in 20-7 with single with Micha Moors Club in "Space". He also worked as a DJ in various clubs all over Europe

2008–2012: R.I.O.

Main article: R.I.O.

In 2008 he was a founding member of the German dance project R.I.O with Yann Pfeifer (Yanou) and Manuel Reuter (DJ Manian). After the debut single "De Janeiro / R.I.O.", the trio with Tony T. as frontman of the band had a string of hits in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, like "Shine On" from the Shine On (The Album), followed by "When the Sun Comes Down", "Hot Girl", "Like I Love You" and "Miss Sunshine". But R.I.O.'s hit "Turn This Club Around" featuring the vocals of U-Jean proved to be an international success reaching No. 5 in Austria, No. 3 in Germany, No. 1 in Switzerland also charting in the UK, Scotland, Netherlands, as well as Belgium, Canada. The band released same titled album Turn This Club Around with the further hit "Animal" from the album.

2012–: Solo career / DNGRS Crew

Tony T.

Tony T. left the R.I.O. project in 2012 to launch a solo career. His first solo releaser was "Way to Rio". He was featured in "Everybody" from Mike Candys also featuring Evelyn. He also had collaborations such as with Darius & Finlay in "Phenomenon" and with Soulwash featured in "No Games". In 2013, he was featured in the hit "Want U Now" by Ardian Bujupi, a finalist in the German music competition Deutschland sucht den Superstar and in "Beautiful Life" by Sasha Lopez also featuring Big Ali.

In May 2013, he co-founded DNGRS Crew with rappers Carlprit and Marlon B.. Their first single together is "Dangerous" credited to DJ Mase vs DNGRS Crew and is released on Kontor Records.

Discography

Albums

with Beat System
with R.I.O.

Singles

with Beat System
Single Year Peak chart positions Album
AUT BELFL BELWA FRA GER
"Fresh" 1996 29 37 18 15 32 Refreshinator
"Reggaenight" 36 93
"—" denotes singles that did not chart
with R.I.O.
Single Year Peak chart positions Album
AUT CAN ESP FRA GER ITA NLD SWE SWI UK
"De Janeiro" 2007 9 Shine On (The Album)
"Shine On" 2008 21 22 8 25 8 20 10 17
"When the Sun Comes Down" 54 9 63 9 62
"After the Love" 2009 41 65 66
"Serenade" 97
"One Heart" 2010 24
"Hot Girl" 90 Sunshine
"Like I Love You" 2011 35 31 24 28
"Miss Sunshine" 44 50 17 43
"Turn This Club Around"
(feat. U-Jean)
5 95 96 3 34 1 36 Turn This Club Around
"Animal"
(feat. U-Jean)
33 111 48 26 51
"—" denotes singles that did not chart

Featured in

Single Year Peak chart positions Album
AUT CZE GER SVK SWI
"Phenomenon"
(Darius & Finlay feat. Tony T.)
2012 26
"Everybody"
(Mike Candys feat. Evelyn & Tony T.)
2013 14 57 40 69 14
"Beautiful Life"
(Sasha Lopez feat. Tony T. and Big Ali)
49
"Break My Stride"
(Bodybangers feat. Tony T.)
62 90
"Heart It Tonight"
(ONdray feat. Tony T.)
2014 47
"—" denotes singles that did not chart

References

External links