We were lucky to catch up with Tony Pilgrim recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tony , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My latest album, titled “Anthony” Is my most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far. It’s something like a biography in musical form. I’ve been working on this album for a few years and I’m finally comfortable with preparing for its release. The listener will be given the opportunity to not only catch a vibe, but get to know who I am, where I come from and where I’m going. I’m a transparent guy, and I like to reflect that in my craft. I really get into detail on several aspects of my personal life like my relationships, my mental health struggles and temptations. I tried not to miss out on anything I felt was relevant. The music will be heard in different ways; it could be comedic, dramatic, heartwarming, encouraging or just completely inappropriate. To each their own. This project is meaningful to me because it is me. It’s a different type of fulfillment that comes from creating and courageously sharing that expression with the world – Regardless of response.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Anthony Bady. When it comes to music, I go by the alias “Tony Pilgrim”. That name comes from my overall purpose as an individual. “Tony” is obviously short for Anthony. “Pilgrim” is a title of what I believe my position is down here; an exile with a specific duty, and once that duty is done, I will complete my sojourn and depart. I believe that I am here to serve and console through creativity. I started rapping in 1999 after being inspired by “The Real Slim Shady” by Eminem. I was 9 years old. lol That album was clearly inappropriate for a 9 year old kid, but it was something about his freedom of speech and clever rhyme schemes that captivated me. I used to write raps on anything I could find, but my mom eventually started buying me notebooks. I would fill those things up pretty fast, so it became a biweekly routine of my mom buying notebooks.
I have over 20 notebooks of stories and raps stored away somewhere at my moms place. My stepdad has always been into music, and built an in-home studio. I would always hear him making beats or recording an artist. By the time I was 14, I was making music with other family members at home. I remember feeling like the Jackson 5 at times. lol We had pretty serious rehearsals and practice on stage presence, delivery, professionalism as a hiphop artist, etc. It was legit, and I appreciate that time in my life because it truly solidified me as an artist.
I bought studio equipment at 19 and made my first mixtape titled “Homeless Hero”; which is still floating around somewhere in cyberspace. My most recent project; “High” dropped in 2020 and is streaming on all platforms. I pretty much released that record as a way to reintroduce myself to the hiphop scene. The 10+ year gap in music releases was due to pursuing another passion, but that’s another subject lol I never stopped writing, and never will. The feedback that I receive from those that listen to me is motivational to keep going. I Like to be able to give substance and I’m thankful that it actually translates as that. So much more is on the way.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Something that is often hard to understand about my journey is my overall belief system. I enjoy the inward pursuit of a better reality. I am identified as a Christian because the choice of words in expressing my inward pursuit of a better reality is projected in Christian form. I can project this expression in the form of another belief system, but it’s the Expression that matters, not the systems that point to It. I believe in God. I know The Most High God who is formless. I choose not to identify with forms and systems of belief anymore. I am the way I am because I was Never trained in religion or political correctness. I had an overnight, life changing experience with the Divine. I’m not always right or appropriate, but I am in Union. That Union has done more for me than any religion could ever do.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Well, creatives are also pieces of society; working and keeping the economic ball rolling – so, I’ll start with us. Many of us are great artist because we have great egos. We want to be impressive, we need the gratification; these type of inclinations have been used to fuel the creative spark in us. I’ve used this mindset to be creative before, but the error of it all is clear when you realize ” this isn’t fun anymore”. I create best when I’m having fun and I have the most fun when I’m creating. The ego in our artistic community could create a sense of competition that causes a lack of fellowship and support within the scene. If we are all trying to be better than the next artist, we can’t come together and provide society with a collective that is even worth supporting. We don’t have to be besties for life, but there should be some cohesiveness. lol We should be the most supportive of one another because even if the craft is different, our struggles are similar. Society will support whoever society prefers, so the best thing to do is make sure the support is genuine. If you like the product, support the producer. You like the meal, pay the chef. I’m not going to sit here and say “society needs to start paying all local artist” because not every local artist deserves to be paid. It’s just the basic ethics of paying for goods and services.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/Tonypilgrim
• Instagram: instagram.com/tnyplgrm
• Facebook: Anthony VandaL Bady
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSwTxBiT0UOSbnG5CgXsgjg

Image Credits
Alexandria Photography