We were lucky to catch up with Tony Maranzano recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tony, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with a fun one – what’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?
As a producer and an artist, I take the unconventional approach when it comes to creating. I’m not into the trends or following the wagon when it comes to making music. Music to me is very personal and since I started producing, I’ve learned through sound to sonically express my vulnerabilities.
Tony, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
It wasn’t until 2007 after high school I linked up with a former friend, the late Charlie Hustle. At the time Charlie was doing local events in St.Charles, MO at a spot called The Pit. It was unlike anything I had ever seen, The ultimate stage and crowd. We would grow and form a friendship and start a group called Team Hustle, which started as a promotional team for OutSkirt Records and the events Charlie was coordinating, but later grew into a rap group that would include other upcoming local artist. During this time is when I learned the business which would prepare for when I decided to do my solo thing and form GF Music Group in 2013.
GF Music Group was an artist management company as well as an aggregator for digital music, serving as the conduit between artist, label and distributor. I’ve learned a lot during this process of preparing records for DSPs and accounting for royalties but as an one man army with multiple artist and releases, I decided to resolve the company and focus more on my own artistry. In 2021 I began teaching myself to make beats. In December 2023 I launched a new company, Hit Records, which represents the music productions you currently hear. I decided upon the name Hit Records because I know that’s exactly what they’ll be once the world gets familiar.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
During my time at GF Music Group, I also served as an artist and label partnership manager. Being in that position working with artist and their teams made me realized I wanted it more and was willing to bet everything to see that the company successfully executes. The hunger and desire was still in me as an artist and I needed to express that, which ultimately lead to dissolving of GF Music Group and birth of Hit Records, my music production imprint.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Each day is a journey of resilience. I started pursuing music at an early age. Like I mentioned before it dates back to elementary school. I think just getting better with time and finding ways to keep your love and passion alive while in pursuit is the key. I’m 34 years old you understand. And although they may say it’s a young man game there is no age limitations on creating music. But sometimes I do wish I would’ve experimented with making beats a long time ago. It wasn’t until a close friend of mines, Doodie passed way that made me attempt to make my first beat. He also was a producer but I seen the dream and desire slip away over the years once we graduated high school. That there was my spark to try something new and I’ve been in love with it since.
Contact Info:
- Website: hitrecords.us
- Instagram: @tonymaranzano
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@tonymaranzano?si=jkHPETU26ZZRVhO4I’m