Houston Underground Hip-Hop Comes to San Antonio

By Robert Smith

Fat Tony
Photo courtesy of Fat Tony

Fat Tony and his DJ were playing a zombie arcade shooting game in a corner of Limelight, a music bar in San Antonio where the Houston-based rapper was about to start a show on Saturday evening.

The sound engineers tested a pre-recorded "Sushi," Tony’s hit single recorded alongside Asher Roth. Shrill whistles and kick drums come together to form a song that is unique and catchy. Red lights turned blue and then green, each color matching the mood of the subsequent songs. Finally, Tony left the arcade—he ran out of quarters.

Anthony Lawson Jude Ifeanyichukwu Obiawunaotu has one hell of a name. But his stage moniker pays homage to the likes of Big Moe, Slim Thug, and Fat Pat, all legends of the Houston underground hip-hop scene. “Houston made its best music, in my opinion, during the 90’s when it was…like Ghetto Boyz, Scarface, Devin the Dude; not just Houston but Texas,” says Tony.
Growing up in Houston, the 27 year old used to love skateboarding and dreamed of becoming a photographer for Thrasher magazine. Eventually, music took over his passion. "Growing up with it, it’s just something that in our blood and that classic Houston music always gets passed down," Tony speaks of his music influence.

The artist is a member of a new generation of rappers emerging from the "City of Syrup," Big Moe’s first album. Thanks to social media, the chopped n’ screwed Houston sound has spread across the globe, and vice versa. Along with producer Tom Cruz and Young One Records, these young musicians are part of a new breed that’s changing the game.

To push the boundaries of Texas hip-hop, Fat Tony samples from the past and mixes with the present, always striving to be original and different. Among his greatest influences are Prince, the Ramones, and A Tribe Called Quest. After teaming up with A$AP Rocky and the late A$AP Yams in 2011, nothing is off limits.

In his latest single "MacGregor Park," part of his forthcoming album of the same name, southern gospel tones and organs sound together to create the nostalgic hymn.

“It’s really all about my neighborhood, third ward Houston, Texas; really tells about my way of growing up,” says Tony. “My part of South Side Houston isn’t really represented in a lot of music right now, so I want to use this album as an avenue for that voice.”

Lately he’s been travelling to New York, LA, and Mexico City while performing and recording. Perhaps Mexico’s vast music scene will rub off a bit more. On his last album, the final song "The More Things Change" has a moombahton beat that is a nod to the Latin American cultures of Texas.

As he looks to expand his musical presence to South Texas, his experience as a celebrity reporter for the Spurs during the 2013 NBA All-Star Game might prove relevant.

For now, the hip-hop bass lines echoing out of Limelight’s double doors formed a stark contrast to the punk rock and cumbia venues on St. Mary’s Saturday evening. Tony’s show was not promoted yet dozens of people were lining up outside the bar.

“I’ve always been a fan of Houston’s scene,” says one eager concert goer. “It’s great to see that music finding new pathways.”

Tony danced through the crowd waving a Nigerian flag, a tribute to his heritage. “I’m just really into diversifying my creativity right now,” says the rapper/DJ/artist/actor. (see the full interview below)