EVEN THOUGH SINGER TONY WILLIAMS IS A BLOOD RELATIVE OF KANYE WEST’S, DON’T EXPECT HIM TO RELY ON HIS FAMOUS COUSIN‘s NAME FOR MUSICAL ACCLAIM. How long have you been in the game and where would people know you from? To me, entering “the game” would mean the first day somebody cut me a check to do [music]. I was about 21, so that was a long-ass time ago. You know, there was a time when artists actually served their grind time in the streets, working clubs for years before they rose in popularity. But I’m sure most people would credit Kanye’s College Dropout album with being my entry into the game, and that’s fine. What’s your formula for making a hit? I don’t have a formula for making a hit. In fact, making a hit has never been my intention. I only have one purpose in mind and that’s to make a great song. There’s a huge difference. “Hits” are usually defined by rules and tendencies that people have come to expect. I want to make music that separates you from the normal expectations, something different. In my opinion, music that defies expectations is the best kind. Of course, the hope is that people will embrace the true genius of the product to the degree that elevates it to a “hit” status in spite of its differences. Why do you call yourself “The World Famous” Tony Williams? I’m so glad you asked that question. Most people never ask that question, so I guess they think I must really be on my own jock like that. They act as if they think I’m pretentious to the point that I’d be offended if they were to bring it up. I want people to know that I don’t take myself that seriously at all. I’m a humble, lighthearted, fun kinda guy. The whole “World Famous” moniker is actually hilarious to me. It’s kind of a joke. I only came up with it so all the search engines could differentiate me from the legendary jazz drummer who played with all the jazz greats like Miles Davis. That Tony Williams is the real iconic and world famous one. He’s been dead for years and still if you Google search Tony Williams, you would have to sift through a hundred of his articles before you see any mention of me. How do you plan to prove to the world you’re more than just Kanye West’s cousin? Prove? Is Kanye a genius? Well, then he might just be astute enough to surround himself with geniuses. Our professional relationship
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has never been about nepotism. If you know any of my bodies of work separate from him, then you’ll know I’m not inspired by what he does. He’s always respected me for my uniquely individual artistry and he’s incorporated it. I don’t have to prove anything, just listen to King or the Fool. I feel like [King or the Fool] still has a lot of growing and catching on to do, but that’s what I expected. It sometimes takes people a while to catch on to something that’s not the status quo. Sometimes they’ve gotta make sure it’s cool to like something that doesn’t fit the norm. “Another You” is a huge song, even without commercial radio play. If people would look beyond that song, though, it’s not even one of the top three best [songs] on that project. We’ve just gotta let it grow organically. That will happen when the people who have supported and embraced what I do from the beginning start playing the album for a new audience. Real soul music resonates with everybody. You recently released the Some Of My Best Rappers Are Friends mixtape. Will any of your rapper friends be joining you at SXSW? Kyle Lucas, Cyhi The Prynce, Wale, and Fonzworth Bentley may be in town. I haven’t exactly locked in what my presentation is going to be. Last year I performed with my live band. It’s a disappointment because we applied to perform at the official showcase this year but didn’t get accepted. That being said, my experience with SXSW is that when you see me perform with my band, you’re getting the real World Famous Tony Williams experience. It’s different with a DJ. You’ll see at the Unrefined Hype showcase at Bat Bar on March 15th. How has the response been to Some Of My Best Rappers Are Friends? I made a comment on Twitter saying it was Grammy-worthy but there isn’t a mixtape category. It’s funny because as successful as I thought that project was, when “Another You” featuring Kanye dropped, it faded the rest of the project into the sunset. I really appreciate the response because I got a feedback on every song on the album. It had something for everybody on it. I got a lot of positive responses on it for different reasons and different songs. I was pleased with it. // Twitter: @TWFTonyWilliams Website: KingorTheFool.com