He was born in the projects. The son of a laborer and a housewife struggling to make ends meet. But even though they lived in poverty, they knew their son was destined for greatness.

Growing up in the ghetto, he learned how to play basketball with the best of the homies and during that time, developed his rapping technique.

At eighteen, just out of Valley Vocational, he signed a lucrative contract with the team he had always dreamed of playing with. The Harlem Globetrotters

During the off season in 1973, at the urging of Wolfman Jack, he signed a recording contract with Get-Toe records and cut his first rap record "Phunky Phlip".

After his album went platinum in 1974, to the dismay of all his fans, he quit basketball and was soon a permanent fixture on the nightclub scene.

After partying for 5 years, his record sales declined. Get-Toe records tired of his all night partying and decided to cut him. Soon, his money and chicks were gone and he fell into oblivion.

In 1980, He met with potato chip tycoon  Robin Freetolay while she was delivering goods to the homeless shelter where Tony was staying. He told her of his idea to produce a chex mixture snack. Robin agreed to back Tony on his endeavor and the rest is history.

                 From All Of Us At The Tribune 

                            Happy Birthday Tony!

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