Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Bennz BetTterWay.
Hi Tony, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised on the poetic planet of New York city. In the Burroughs of The Bronx, Manhattan (Harlem), Jamaica-Queens, and Staten Island. Specifically, I spent the majority of my youth at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue…the official birthplace of hip-hop. Like most Gen X-Men. I was hit with a meteorite Gama-ray-super serum of ancestor powered urban culture. As I watched the legends of tomorrow being born, my musical origin story of power and abilities were influenced by the furious, treacherous grandmasters of style, turntable, graffiti, dance and lyrical presence. Ultimately, Professor, X and Magneto of hip-hop, DJ Red alert and Dj Marley Marl transmitted their Bat signal every Friday and Saturday night on NYC radio. It was a rap nuclear shower that turned most of the youth in to leaders of the new school and some grown ups in to the urban Jurassic Fly guys. Between their radio shows and the block parties, I freestyled, wrote rhymes and beatboxed routines that would evolve into performing, ghostwriting and executive producing myself and others like me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been less than a smooth road. However, I am a man of faith, so I do believe that all things work together for good. Like every Iron Man movie, I found the fixes for all the failures. Despite the pain, I perfected my armor through years of powering through. I got my heart broke, I broke hearts. I experienced parent deaths, life, near bankruptcy, being a single parent, 9/11, multiple tours in the military, but most importantly not being as good as an Emcee as I always wanted to be. I wanted to be an extraordinary Beatmaker, superb producer and music business genius! Nevertheless, I prioritized being a good father and a husband. I sacrificed being DOPE for being a responsible adult, but I never gave up hope
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a retired Air Force First Sergeant, I have undergrad and post grad education in criminal justice, medical administration, psychology, mental health, counseling and wellness. I was enrolled in a doctoral program but did not complete due to that arch nemeses “life that be life’ing”! Which is why I titled my latest project “Doctoral Dropout x The Specialist”. Never the less, because of that I have the DOPEST glass of lemonade I ever made! Thank God for Hid Will and not mine. In addition to being a hip-hop artist and content creator, I am an educational specialist in counseling. I have incorporated my superpowers of experience and artistry into what I call Counsel-Tainment. I specialize in motivational hip-hop that is more than a breath of fresh air. I am not only what hip-hop is missing. I am a remnant of what’s still there but needs to be amplified in order to balance the scales of musical justice. I am what everyone has in them, but refused to release because it’s not common to be dope and positive. My aura is unmatched by many.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
#1 Like: My younger brother #BxBrianF” lives there. #2 Likes: in edition to what has locally and globally emerged from you neck of the woods, the place has the potential and capability to be a beacon for all types of music to be represented fair and balanced. The IP venues and avenues are growing. It can only be bigger and better from here on out. The bolt courageous musical culture is inevitable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tonybennz.wixsite.com/website
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZSFkCxu95K/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18kV3Madmk/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/bPuTmGPZIuA
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/album/goat-killer-pt1/6770673055
