HCM. How did you come by your stage name?
Shantonio. I use to call myself “TonEyo” but when I was going by that name, I felt like I was hiding from my true self. So I started going by my government name “Shantonio” because me and my name, are one and the same. I’m different just like my name is.
HCM. When did you discover your love for music and what made you realize you wanted to pursue a career in music?
Shantonio. Early in my middle school days is when I found my love for music. My older brother is the reason why I wanted to pursue music. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have ever taken the risk. He truly motivated me… My older brother pushed me so well that he doesn’t know he was pushing me.
HCM. On your current release… How did you come up with the concept for this project?
Shantonio. I make music off of mood. To make a long story short… One day my older brother called me wanting to freestyle, so we picked an instrumental off of Youtube and started freestyling. That mood and energy we used to freestyle, I carried that energy into the next day and created “Summer Baby” because my older brother helped uplift my spirit when I was really feeling down. But he doesn’t know that.
HCM. What are some of your greatest challenges as an artist, and what is your greatest attribute when it comes to your work ethic?
Shantonio. For me, I feel like, caring about other’s opinions/criticism too much when it doesn’t even really matter is kinda a challenge for me. I will leave this plain and simple when it comes to my “work ethic”… I don’t stop.
HCM. What impression would you like listeners to be left with after hearing your music?
Shantonio. When the listeners get done listening to “Summer Baby” I want them to feel like they’re on summer vacation/break having fun and F*** whomever they want. I want young adults to understand it’s okay to have crazy RatedR experiences. As long as you are okay with your decisions, practicing save sex and she gives consent… Live your F*** life.
HCM. Is there anyone you’d like to thank, any shout outs?
Shantonio. I would like to thank God, without my creator/father I wouldn’t be the music Icon I am. I will like to thank my mother, she is my backbone. I would like to thank my older brother as yall know he played a big roll in my music career. I would also like to thank myself, for not giving up.
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