Joseph Anthony Hernandez(born July 2, 1969), professionally known asTony Touch,is an Americanhip hopbreak dancer,rapper,record producer and DJ ofPuerto Ricandescent.

Tony Touch
Background information
Birth nameJoseph Anthony Hernandez
Born(1969-07-02)July 2, 1969(age 55)
Brooklyn,New York, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
Years active1980s–present
LabelsTouch Entertainment
Websitetonytouch.com

Career

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Tony Touch began as a B-boy during the rap music renaissance era of the early 1980s.[1]Heavily influenced by pioneers likeCrazy Legsand theRock Steady Crew,Grandmaster Flash,Red Alert, Little Louie Vega and Jam Master Jay, he quickly shifted his interests towards the turntables.[1]Tony is known for his mixtapes the 50 MC's. His mixtapes have featured guest appearances fromBoot Camp Clik,Eminem,KRS-One,Kool G Rap,Big Daddy Kane,Wyclef Jean,M.O.P.,Big L,andMos Def.[1]

In 2000, Tony released his debut albumThe Piece Makeron Tommy Boy Records.[2]It sold 400,000 units worldwide and featured guest appearances fromBig Pun,Cypress Hill,Wu-Tang Clan,Busta Rhymes,Eminem, andGang Starr.[2]

In 2000 the single "I Wonder Why" featuring Total was released. The music video featured cameos fromJohn Leguizamo,Rock Steady Crew,Grandmaster Flash, The Awesome 2, Marley Marl, and DJ Premier.[3]

Since then, Tony Touch has releasedThe Piece Maker 2,which featured guest appearances from Puff Daddy, Fat Joe, Sean Paul, Snoop Dogg, and Ruben Blades.[4]

Tony Touch is also known to represent the urban Latino community with his Spanglish lyrics and Salsa roots.[5]This is the result of him growing up with salsa at home and hip-hop influence in his lifestyle.[5]

In 2005 Tony signed to EMI records releasing a reggaeton album,ReggaeTony.[6]The lead single "Play That Song"featuredNina SkyandB-RealofCypress Hill.[6]The CD included collaborations with artists such as Tego Calderon, Zion and Lenox, Pitbull, Ivy Queen, NORE, Voltio, Mexicano, Thirston Howl III, and Soni. The album went gold, and EMI moved quickly to releaseReggaeTony 2.[7]This CD featuredLumidee,Plan B, Joell Ortiz, Tru Life, Don Chezina, and the Beatnuts.[7]To this date Tony has sold over a million records worldwide.[7]

On July 16, 2013, his sixth albumThe Piece Maker 3: Return of the 50 MC'swas released and featured guest appearances from Busta Rhymes,Reek da Villain,Roc Marciano,Lil' Fame,Too Short,Xzibit,Kurupt,B-Real,Papoose,Uncle Murda,Black Thought,Styles P,Sheek Louch,Jadakiss,Raekwon,Ghostface Killah,RZA,Eminem,Twista,Bun B,Action Bronson,Prodigy,Joell Ortiz,Royce da 5'9 ",KRS-One,Crooked I,Redman,Method Man,N.O.R.E.,andErick Sermon.[8]

In 2016 he paired up withAustin Brownto collaborate as CaliYork. They released the single "Show Up At My Place" in September.[9]

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • 1998:The Rican-Struction

Partial mixtape discography

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  • 1991:Hip Hop Volume 1
  • 1996:Power Cypha: 50's MCs
  • 1997:Power Cypha 2
  • 1999:Power Cypha 3: The Grand Finale
  • 2002:B-Boy Breaks 3: James Brown Tribute
  • 2003:R&B Volume 30: The Love Session
  • 2010:Feel Good
  • 2011:Feel Good # 2

Collaborations

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  • 1997:5 Deadly Venoms of Brooklyn(w/ Evil Dee, Mister Cee, PF Cuttin and Premier)
  • 1997:The Diaz Brother(w/ Doo Wop)
  • 1998:Hip Hop 59 ftFunkMaster Flex
  • 1998:Terrorist Activity(w/ DJ Khaled)
  • 1999:The Diaz Brother: 2 for 5(w/ Doo Wop)
  • 2000:The Diaz Brothers: Live In Japan(w/ Doo Wop)
  • 2002:The Diaz Brothers 3(hosted by Kay Slay)
  • 2003: Mucho Muchacho –Chulería

Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions
AUS
[10]
UK
[11]
"I Wonder Why (He's the Greatest DJ)"
(featuring Keisha and Pam ofTotal)
2000 95 68
"Play That Song"
(featuringNina SkyandB-Real)
2005

References

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  1. ^abc"DJ Tony Touch Interview | Tony Toca Mixtapes".Latinrapper.com.RetrievedJuly 23,2013.
  2. ^abMichael Gallucci (April 18, 2000)."The Piece Maker – Tony Touch | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards".AllMusic.RetrievedJuly 23,2013.
  3. ^"iTunes – Music – The Piece Maker by Tony Touch".Itunes.apple.com. January 1, 2000.RetrievedJuly 23,2013.
  4. ^David Jeffries (February 24, 2004)."The Piece Maker, Vol. 2 – Tony Touch | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards".AllMusic.RetrievedJuly 23,2013.
  5. ^abKeith Nelson Jr (@JusAire) (June 20, 2013)."EXCLUSIVE: DJ Tony Touch on Piece Makers 3, Eminem's" Symphony In H "+ More (VIDEO)".AllHipHop.com.RetrievedJuly 23,2013.
  6. ^abDavid Jeffries (March 29, 2005)."The Reggaetony Album – Tony Touch | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards".AllMusic.RetrievedJuly 23,2013.
  7. ^abc"Reggaetony 2 – Tony Touch | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards".AllMusic.RetrievedJuly 23,2013.
  8. ^Paine, Jake (July 8, 2013)."Tony Touch" Piece Maker 3 "Release Date, Tracklist & Album Stream".HipHop DX.RetrievedJuly 17,2013.
  9. ^"New Music: CaliYork (Austin Brown & DJ Tony Touch) - Show Up At My Place - YouKnowIGotSoul.com".September 16, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 29,2017.
  10. ^Ryan, Gavin (2011).Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010(PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 283.
  11. ^"Tony Touch featuring Total | full Official Chart History".Official Charts Company.RetrievedOctober 22,2022.
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