Antonio-David Hampton, popularly known as Tony Duardo, is an illustrious pan-African record producer and DJ renowned for his dynamic collaborations with DJ Uncle Waffles and TxC which have earned him a reputation as a “ghost producer supreme” and music and arts guru of Africa.
Hailing from Johannesburg, Duardo heads HGA, a leading independent label focused on nurturing and developing African talent.
Having lived in the US, UK, Angola, France, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, he calls South Africa the mecca of African music but says his travels have had an impact on his music, creating a unique cultural and linguistic flair.
TshisaLIVE spoke to the rising star about his music and future ventures.
How do you balance your innovative approach to sound design with the commercial aspects of the music industry?
I make what I like and because I’ve become real with it, the people connect with it. For years that’s been the case, for the years to come it will only get more intense.
Five minutes with Tony Duardo on making African music global
Image: Supplied
Antonio-David Hampton, popularly known as Tony Duardo, is an illustrious pan-African record producer and DJ renowned for his dynamic collaborations with DJ Uncle Waffles and TxC which have earned him a reputation as a “ghost producer supreme” and music and arts guru of Africa.
Hailing from Johannesburg, Duardo heads HGA, a leading independent label focused on nurturing and developing African talent.
Having lived in the US, UK, Angola, France, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, he calls South Africa the mecca of African music but says his travels have had an impact on his music, creating a unique cultural and linguistic flair.
TshisaLIVE spoke to the rising star about his music and future ventures.
How do you balance your innovative approach to sound design with the commercial aspects of the music industry?
I make what I like and because I’ve become real with it, the people connect with it. For years that’s been the case, for the years to come it will only get more intense.
Image: Supplied
How do you plan to disrupt the music, art, and business worlds?
We’re gonna make African artists filthy rich is the goal, and I will step up and be the example and go through the trials and tribulations it comes with of course. But I’ve committed the years ahead to ensure I bring value — both creatively and economically. I will introduce live streaming, live events, pay per views, global partnerships never seen before and an approach to art and business people have never heard of.
But Africa will definitely shake in my era. My music on its own moves the masses, connecting it with the greater vision of what I do as a producer and entrepreneur.
How do you see your legacy unfolding, and what impact do you hope to leave on the industry?
Young people must be fine. By 2035 the youth force of Africa will be the greatest on planet earth. I just want Naledi and all the young people to be fine and have a great time, an era of prosperity for young black African people
I want be part of the story of those who pioneered African music globally into dominance.
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