T Hussle

It wouldn't be much of a stretch to suggest that Tony Hussle was the second coming of the funk. A wailing singer and multi-instrument playing cat hailing from the land of Parliament-Funkadelic (better known to the groove deprived as Plainfield, New Jersey), Tony first felt the soulful spirit when he was a two-year old toddler, and has never looked back.



Indeed, from first time shortie doo-wop sat at the piano in his mother's church and played a little boogie-woogie, it was inevitable that this boy's future was going to be filled with musical delights.



With the release of Tony Hussle's dynamic debut, Sexy, Freaky, Electric, dude has no problem serving his own special brew of cosmic slop. Stirring the aural motorbooty ingredients of gospel, blues, soul, hip-hop and rock, TONY Hussle is the first black artist of the new century (post-millennium, baby) fearless enough to try and change the world through his music.



"I honestly feel that God touched me to do music," Tony boldly proclaims. "And right now, people are ready for a change." Though Tony Hussle might come across as brash, it's only because this new kid has enough jam to back-up his jelly. "Believe me, it's

always us church boys that have changed modern music, and I'm trying to follow in that path."



Named after the chocolate city emotions that surges through Tony Hussle whenever he listens to his own personal holy trinity of Jimi Hendrix, Prince and (former Jodeci songwriter/producer) DeVante Swing, the aptly titled Sexy, Freaky, Electric is a concept of love, sex and music. Opening with a strangely seductive anthem that celebrates abstaining from doing the nasty in the age of the big disease with the little name, "She's A Virgin Too" is anti-everything currently clogging your earhole.



"I wanted to create a song for those respectful females out there," Tony Hussle says. Talking about a sepia toned hometown honey that is "thicker than a pot of cold grits," the song manages to be alluring. "Just because the woman is fine and maybe having fun in the club, doesn't mean that she's a hoe. Just because she's hot doesn't mean she lacks moral values."



But, like any hot-blooded male, Tony Hussle ain't always going take "no" for an answer every single time. On the moody "Wait," it's three months later, and girlfriend still ain't ready. "But now she's starting to change her mind, so I popped the question one more time," Hussle falsetto sings over a sonic bed of nasty keyboards and blaring guitar that could transform baby girl from a virgin into a freak who will suck your soul and lick your funky emotions.



Leaving home at the age of 21 with nothing but his keyboard and a bag of clothes, Tony Hussle went from being homeless to hanging around the various studios in New York and California: from making beats for former Onyx member Fredo Starr to hanging with Raphael Saadiq to composing songs with Alicia Keys before she was signed, Tony Hussle has definitely paid his dues. "When I saw how Alicia had blown-up, in my mind I couldn't help but feel that I would be next,” states Tony.



Taking it straight to the rocky bone-yard, "Your Girl" is a funny song of how Tony Hussle will snatch your honey if you ain't doing the right thang. "You say she's yours, but she's mine tonight, that's why I'm f**king your girl," he sings. Throwing down like Al Green collaborating with Ernie Isley, our man Hussle says, "Some dudes rather be with their boys, shooting hoops or hanging in the go-go club. I'm just giving them a little warning-if you ain't keeping your girl company, somebody else will be.



Unlike most of the world that had to learn how to funk by boom-box blaring James Brown and George Clinton, big daddy Tony Hussle was born with the sticky doo-doo

already flowing in his blood. "My mom's brother, Uncle Glen Goins was one of the original singers for Parliament-Funkadelic," he recalls. "People don't realize the "p" in P-Funk actually stands for my hometown, Plainfield. I was a real little kid, but I can remember people like (keyboardist) Bernie Worrell, Eddie Hazel and Billy Nelson being around our house."



Attending his first P-Funk show at the ripe age of four, Tony Hussle remembers, "I was scared to death. Imagine being four years old and seeing Dr. Funkenstein and the mothership landing. I know my uncle tried to take me up on stage, but I just wouldn't stop crying. Looking back, I'm touched that I had those experiences at such a young age."



Tony Hussle breaks down the autobiographical vibe on the ultra cool funk of "I Sell Music." With a mack bop that pimp walks harder than Bishop Magic Don Juan with

a limp, "I Sell Music" takes the listener on a joy ride through Hussle's history. From the first chords played to the last foxy lady laid to hanging out in Hollywood "working night and day," this track has more electro-bounce than Zapp.



"That song came straight from my heart, because I am very serious about my music," he says. "No matter how many doors have been slammed in my face over the years or how crazy people might think I am, I have refused to quit,” states Tony. “That's why I go into the studio, and have no problem staying for twelve hours. It's all about making the music."



Besides his family, Tony Hussle credits a yesteryear record store called Big Sounds, where the owner Mike would sit him on the counter to listen to music. "The first time I heard Chaka Khan and Sugie Otis, it was because of Big Mike," he says. "There were so many artists I was exposed to through Big Mike's guidance. I got a hell of a education sitting on that counter, believe that,” says Tony



As the future of the funk, Tony Hussle's brilliant collection of songs on Sexy, Freaky, Electric seamlessly flow like a knee-deep funky sea. From tender to raunchy, sweet to nasty, Tony Hussle takes you there.



Tony Hussle-Come Again



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