Tony DeNiro
Encyclopedia
Tony DeNiro is an American music producer, songwriter, singer & musician. He produces pop, rock, hip-hop, and R&B. He is best known for discovering, producing, branding, managing and consulting career artists such as Mark Wahlberg
, Missy Elliot, Usher, Fonzworth Bentley
, Blu Cantrell and Terrence Howard
.
He is also well known for his football career as All-American wide receiver of the University of Notre Dame
's undefeated championship football team coached by Lou Holtz
(1988–1992).
Formerly the Senior Vice-President of A&R at Priority Records
and personally hired by the companies owner Bryan Turner, Tony DeNiro was the first minority music executive at the record label in 1996. He owns The Royal T’s Inc, an entertainment company that specializes in music production, talent management, image and business consulting & brand building to the entertainment and fashion industries. He is also the United States talent scout responsible for overseeing the artistic development of Pheed channel holders & is the Liaison between "pheeders" & Pheed. Tony was hand picked & personally hired by O.D. Kobo, the Founder of Pheed.com in the fall of 2011.
DeNiro is also acknowledged for his work consulting, managing, producing and branding career artists such as Brandy
, Missy Elliott
, Ritchie Kotzen, Heavy D, Terrence Howard
, Ben Harper, Sean Combs, and most recently Evan Ross
, Jessica Simpson
, Ashlee Simpson
, Brandon Howard, Stacy Barthe, Sonyae Elise
, Tah Mac, Aria from the group Paradiso Girls, Shwayze, Lindsay Lohan, Jackie Long, Aaron Carter & a new 3 girl group from Iceland called The Charlies.
He was part owner of a NYC nightclub named Halo in the mid 90's. He has been acknowledged for his work as a style and image consultant to major entertainment moguls prior to album releases, award shows, concerts and major industry events.
, Indiana
to his mother Gloria (middle school teacher), and father Ernest (Dean of students at Indiana University). Raised in a humble home in Gary, Indiana
. He attended Roosevelt High School which was located across the street from the famed Jackson 5 household. Roosevelt High was renowned for producing Indiana’s top athletes, where he played football, track, and the alto sax in the school band. He starred on the state championship track team 4 years in a row. Theodore Roosevelt High School (Gary)
Tony’s high school achievements include; President of National Junior's Honor Society; State Champion in track 4 years in a row (110 high hurdles, 300m low hurdles, 4X100 relay); All-American wide receiver & punter.
. Freshman year Tony & the Fighting Irish had an undefeated season and won the 1988 College Football National Championships with their win over West Virginia at the Fiesta Bowl. During the off-season freshman year, Tony hosted pre-frosh Jerome Bettis and toured him around Notre Dame campus. His efforts successfully recruited the senior in high school, Jerome Bettis
, to attend the University of Notre Dame and play football for the Fighting Irish. Determined to over-achieve, DeNiro was named All-American Wide Receiver both his Junior and Senior years at Notre Dame while he simultaneously made the dean’s list every semester and graduated in 3.5 years.
DeNiro broke his wrist during the 1991 Notre dame vs. Naval Academy game played in the snow. Coach, Lou Holtz, insisted that he taped his wrist and continued to play. Tony comments on Holtz, “He told me there was a difference between being hurt and being injured, and that I was just hurt.” That week Tony had surgery on his wrist and played two weeks later in the Notre Dame Vs. University of Hawaii game in Hawaii. He continued to play in the Sugar Bowl at New Orleans vs. The University of Florida and flew to Japan the following day to play in the Japan bowl (All-Star game for seniors). Although his wrist was still broken, team doctors advised Tony that his wrist was fine.
Tony spent his last semester at The University of Notre dame volunteering to work at the local Safeway Station, where he counseled & mentored underprivileged, abused, runaway children and waited for the NFL draft. In spring of 1992 Tony was drafted to the Kansas City Chiefs. He graduated in May 1992 with a degree in marketing and minor in psychology & sociology. Upon graduation Tony set the University of Notre dame Record for "Longest Touchdown Pass" from quarterback Rick Mirer. While at Notre Dame he was roommates & close friends with NFL stars , Todd Lyght
& Ricky Watters
.
(1992). Once in Kansas City, the Chief’s doctor informed Tony that his wrist was still broken. During his NFL career Tony endured two more surgeries until finally the bone was removed and he was told that he could not play indefinitely. Tony’s last season in the NFL was Joe Montana’s 1st season with the KC Chiefs. He retired from the NFL to his residence in Los Angeles where he lived & rehabilitated his injury during off-season. During this time, to ease his mind off football, Tony focused on music while owning & running an exotic car dealership specializing in custom luxury cars for stars of Hollywood at the young age of 24.
Music career
(1995) and soon after became the first minority music executive at Priority Records(1996). Formerly the Senior Vice-President of A&R at Priority Records (1996–1997), DeNiro resigned from his position of VP after having consulted Priority during Master P
’s-No Limit Records heyday. He was offered a label deal with Priority and started Redeye Records (1997). He later had a production deal with Capital Records (1999) and a production deal with Universal Records
(2004). DeNiro started North-star Brigade Entertainment co. based out of London (2002) where he worked the American music industry overseas.
Tony DeNiro is owner of The Royal T’s Inc, an entertainment company, where he serves as music producer, talent manager, image & business consultant, brand builder, and spiritual advisor to the music, entertainment, and fashion industries. He produced the #1 UK Platinum hit for recording artist Tah Mac & is producing his follow up album. DeNiro is one of the most diverse producers/musician/songwriters in the industry playing multiple instruments & has worked with iconic artist in multiple genres like Macy Gray, Wu Tang Clan, Jay Z, The Game, Redman, Keith Murray, Snoop Dogg, The Dogg Pound, The Liks, The Roots, Lil Cease, Lil Kim, Bone Thugs in Harmony, Blu Cantrell, Ice Cube, WestSide Connection, CandleBox, Tevin Campbell, Tamia, Mario Winans, Chris Brown, Faith Evans, P Diddy, Richie Kotzen, Kanye West, Mariah, CrazyTown & Ben Harper.
. He was in the 2001 Sean John fashion show that appeared live on tv & stole the show with his charismatic strut down the runway. His company The Royal T's serve as consultant to many major couture fashion houses as well as up and coming new designers & brands.
, The Charlies, Calicove, Sonyae Elise
, Kaitlyn Olson, SammieJay & Ashley Roberts
from the Pussycat Dolls. Currently he is involved in the music production of: singer/songwriter Stacy Barthe, KM-Tease (7 & 11 year old rappers from Bahia, Brasil & Compton, CA), Ryan Cabrera
and he has also been working with Jessica Simpson
on a special project in which industry insiders say will be a re-invention album for Jessica & will not sound like anything else she has ever recorded & a re-emergence album of Ashlee Simpson. He serves as personal Spiritual consultant to Aaron Carter
& had a key role in Aarons participation on 2009 season of Dancing With The Stars
. He has also branched out in the film/tv world & is producing 2 television shows, a feature film & a documentary about the 1988 Notre Dame National Championship team. DeNiro is currently scoring a feature film for Miramax Films. His film/tv production company is called LightSpeed productions and projects on the way involve some of the most powerful & influential people of the world...The newest title under his belt is consultant to the new "pay per view" Internet platform called Pheed, where he works directly with the Internet investor & founder O.D. Kobo
Mark Wahlberg
Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg is an American actor, film and television producer, and former rapper. He was known as Marky Mark in his earlier years, and became famous for his 1991 debut as a musician with the band Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. He was named No. 1 on VH1's 40 Hottest Hotties of...
, Missy Elliot, Usher, Fonzworth Bentley
Fonzworth Bentley
Derrick Watkins, in Atlanta, Georgia and popularly known as Fonzworth Bentley or Farnsworth Bentley, is a musician and author. He is perhaps best known for being Sean Combs' former personal valet and assistant, as first seen in Making the Band 2, and is currently the host of MTV's From G's to Gents...
, Blu Cantrell and Terrence Howard
Terrence Howard
Terrence Dashon Howard is an American actor. Having his first major role in the 1995 film Mr. Holland's Opus, which subsequently led to a number of roles in films and high visibility among African American audiences. Howard broke into the mainstream with a succession of well-reviewed television...
.
He is also well known for his football career as All-American wide receiver of the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
's undefeated championship football team coached by Lou Holtz
Lou Holtz
Louis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States...
(1988–1992).
Formerly the Senior Vice-President of A&R at Priority Records
Priority Records
Priority Records is an American record label, owned and operated by EMI, which has made a name for itself dealing primarily in hip hop, pop and world...
and personally hired by the companies owner Bryan Turner, Tony DeNiro was the first minority music executive at the record label in 1996. He owns The Royal T’s Inc, an entertainment company that specializes in music production, talent management, image and business consulting & brand building to the entertainment and fashion industries. He is also the United States talent scout responsible for overseeing the artistic development of Pheed channel holders & is the Liaison between "pheeders" & Pheed. Tony was hand picked & personally hired by O.D. Kobo, the Founder of Pheed.com in the fall of 2011.
DeNiro is also acknowledged for his work consulting, managing, producing and branding career artists such as Brandy
Brandy
Brandy is a spirit produced by distilling wine. Brandy generally contains 35%–60% alcohol by volume and is typically taken as an after-dinner drink...
, Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
, Ritchie Kotzen, Heavy D, Terrence Howard
Terrence Howard
Terrence Dashon Howard is an American actor. Having his first major role in the 1995 film Mr. Holland's Opus, which subsequently led to a number of roles in films and high visibility among African American audiences. Howard broke into the mainstream with a succession of well-reviewed television...
, Ben Harper, Sean Combs, and most recently Evan Ross
Evan Ross
Evan Olav Næss is an American actor and musician. He is the son of entertainer Diana Ross. He is the brother of actresses Rhonda Ross Kendrick and Tracee Ellis Ross, and of singer Leona Naess. He began acting in the late 2000s, appearing in the films ATL and Pride...
, Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson
Jessica Ann Simpson is an American recording artist, actress, television personality, and fashion designer whose rise to fame began in 1999. Since that time, Simpson has achieved many recording milestones, starred in several television shows, movies, and commercials, launched a line of hair and...
, Ashlee Simpson
Ashlee Simpson
Ashlee Nicole Simpson is an American singer and actress. In 2004, she rose to prominence with the success of her number-one debut album Autobiography and the reality series, The Ashlee Simpson Show. In October 2005, following a North American concert tour and a film appearance, Simpson released...
, Brandon Howard, Stacy Barthe, Sonyae Elise
Sonyae Elise
Sonyae Elise is an American singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles who won the inaugural series of Platinum Hit, a Bravo American television channel show about new songwriters. Her prizes included $100,000 as a cash prize, an RCA/Jive Records contract and a publishing deal with The Writing Camp...
, Tah Mac, Aria from the group Paradiso Girls, Shwayze, Lindsay Lohan, Jackie Long, Aaron Carter & a new 3 girl group from Iceland called The Charlies.
He was part owner of a NYC nightclub named Halo in the mid 90's. He has been acknowledged for his work as a style and image consultant to major entertainment moguls prior to album releases, award shows, concerts and major industry events.
Early life
Born October 2 in IndianapolisIndianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
to his mother Gloria (middle school teacher), and father Ernest (Dean of students at Indiana University). Raised in a humble home in Gary, Indiana
Gary, Indiana
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The city is in the southeastern portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The population is 80,294 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh-largest city in the state. It borders Lake Michigan and is known...
. He attended Roosevelt High School which was located across the street from the famed Jackson 5 household. Roosevelt High was renowned for producing Indiana’s top athletes, where he played football, track, and the alto sax in the school band. He starred on the state championship track team 4 years in a row. Theodore Roosevelt High School (Gary)
Theodore Roosevelt High School (Gary)
Theodore Roosevelt High School is a four year public high school of the Gary Community School Corporation in Gary, Indiana, United States...
Tony’s high school achievements include; President of National Junior's Honor Society; State Champion in track 4 years in a row (110 high hurdles, 300m low hurdles, 4X100 relay); All-American wide receiver & punter.
College Football
All major Division 1 colleges recruited DeNiro to play football. He committed to the University of Michigan under the helm of Bo Schembechler and changed his mind the day before signing to attend the University of Notre Dame on a full-football scholarship under head coach Lou HoltzLou Holtz
Louis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States...
. Freshman year Tony & the Fighting Irish had an undefeated season and won the 1988 College Football National Championships with their win over West Virginia at the Fiesta Bowl. During the off-season freshman year, Tony hosted pre-frosh Jerome Bettis and toured him around Notre Dame campus. His efforts successfully recruited the senior in high school, Jerome Bettis
Jerome Bettis
Jerome Abram "The Bus" Bettis is a retired American football halfback who played for the NFL's Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers. Bettis is considered one of the best big backs ever because his footwork and power, and is currently fifth on the National Football League's all-time...
, to attend the University of Notre Dame and play football for the Fighting Irish. Determined to over-achieve, DeNiro was named All-American Wide Receiver both his Junior and Senior years at Notre Dame while he simultaneously made the dean’s list every semester and graduated in 3.5 years.
DeNiro broke his wrist during the 1991 Notre dame vs. Naval Academy game played in the snow. Coach, Lou Holtz, insisted that he taped his wrist and continued to play. Tony comments on Holtz, “He told me there was a difference between being hurt and being injured, and that I was just hurt.” That week Tony had surgery on his wrist and played two weeks later in the Notre Dame Vs. University of Hawaii game in Hawaii. He continued to play in the Sugar Bowl at New Orleans vs. The University of Florida and flew to Japan the following day to play in the Japan bowl (All-Star game for seniors). Although his wrist was still broken, team doctors advised Tony that his wrist was fine.
Tony spent his last semester at The University of Notre dame volunteering to work at the local Safeway Station, where he counseled & mentored underprivileged, abused, runaway children and waited for the NFL draft. In spring of 1992 Tony was drafted to the Kansas City Chiefs. He graduated in May 1992 with a degree in marketing and minor in psychology & sociology. Upon graduation Tony set the University of Notre dame Record for "Longest Touchdown Pass" from quarterback Rick Mirer. While at Notre Dame he was roommates & close friends with NFL stars , Todd Lyght
Todd Lyght
Todd William Lyght , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1st round of the 1991 NFL Draft. A 6'0", 191-lb. cornerback from the University of Notre Dame and Flint Powers Catholic High School, Lyght played in 12 NFL seasons from 1991 to 2002...
& Ricky Watters
Ricky Watters
Richard "Ricky" James Watters is a former American football running back who played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. Watters played college football at the University of Notre Dame where he played wide receiver on the...
.
NFL career
Drafted to the Kansas City ChiefsKansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
(1992). Once in Kansas City, the Chief’s doctor informed Tony that his wrist was still broken. During his NFL career Tony endured two more surgeries until finally the bone was removed and he was told that he could not play indefinitely. Tony’s last season in the NFL was Joe Montana’s 1st season with the KC Chiefs. He retired from the NFL to his residence in Los Angeles where he lived & rehabilitated his injury during off-season. During this time, to ease his mind off football, Tony focused on music while owning & running an exotic car dealership specializing in custom luxury cars for stars of Hollywood at the young age of 24.
Music career
Music
Tony DeNiro formerly known as T-Smoov started to play music for physical & emotional therapy after his career ending injury in the NFL. His talents prove to go beyond producing music (guitar, bass, keyboards), song writing, and engineering sound. He signed a production deal with Priority RecordsPriority Records
Priority Records is an American record label, owned and operated by EMI, which has made a name for itself dealing primarily in hip hop, pop and world...
(1995) and soon after became the first minority music executive at Priority Records(1996). Formerly the Senior Vice-President of A&R at Priority Records (1996–1997), DeNiro resigned from his position of VP after having consulted Priority during Master P
Master P
Percy Robert Miller , better known by his stage name Master P or his business name P. Miller, is an American rapper, actor, entrepreneur, investor, and producer. He is the founder of the popular label No Limit Records, which went bankrupt and was relaunched as New No Limit Records through Koch...
’s-No Limit Records heyday. He was offered a label deal with Priority and started Redeye Records (1997). He later had a production deal with Capital Records (1999) and a production deal with Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
(2004). DeNiro started North-star Brigade Entertainment co. based out of London (2002) where he worked the American music industry overseas.
Tony DeNiro is owner of The Royal T’s Inc, an entertainment company, where he serves as music producer, talent manager, image & business consultant, brand builder, and spiritual advisor to the music, entertainment, and fashion industries. He produced the #1 UK Platinum hit for recording artist Tah Mac & is producing his follow up album. DeNiro is one of the most diverse producers/musician/songwriters in the industry playing multiple instruments & has worked with iconic artist in multiple genres like Macy Gray, Wu Tang Clan, Jay Z, The Game, Redman, Keith Murray, Snoop Dogg, The Dogg Pound, The Liks, The Roots, Lil Cease, Lil Kim, Bone Thugs in Harmony, Blu Cantrell, Ice Cube, WestSide Connection, CandleBox, Tevin Campbell, Tamia, Mario Winans, Chris Brown, Faith Evans, P Diddy, Richie Kotzen, Kanye West, Mariah, CrazyTown & Ben Harper.
Fashion
Tony DeNiro has appeared in multiple fashion campaigns and fashion stories for Versace and Dolce & Gabbana with photographers Mario Testino, Ellen Vonnenworth & Paulo Roversi. He is also documented for appearing in GQ’s Dolce & Gabbana story with Naomi CampbellNaomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell is a British model. Scouted at the age of 15, she established herself among the top three most recognisable and in-demand models of the late 1980s and early 1990s, and she was one of six models of her generation declared "supermodels" by the fashion world...
. He was in the 2001 Sean John fashion show that appeared live on tv & stole the show with his charismatic strut down the runway. His company The Royal T's serve as consultant to many major couture fashion houses as well as up and coming new designers & brands.
Presently
Tony DeNiro's production can be heard on new artists Evan RossEvan Ross
Evan Olav Næss is an American actor and musician. He is the son of entertainer Diana Ross. He is the brother of actresses Rhonda Ross Kendrick and Tracee Ellis Ross, and of singer Leona Naess. He began acting in the late 2000s, appearing in the films ATL and Pride...
, The Charlies, Calicove, Sonyae Elise
Sonyae Elise
Sonyae Elise is an American singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles who won the inaugural series of Platinum Hit, a Bravo American television channel show about new songwriters. Her prizes included $100,000 as a cash prize, an RCA/Jive Records contract and a publishing deal with The Writing Camp...
, Kaitlyn Olson, SammieJay & Ashley Roberts
Ashley Roberts
Ashley Maria Roberts is an American dancer, showgirl, recording artist, model, actress, fashion designer and television personality, best known as a former member of the modern burlesque group the Pussycat Dolls...
from the Pussycat Dolls. Currently he is involved in the music production of: singer/songwriter Stacy Barthe, KM-Tease (7 & 11 year old rappers from Bahia, Brasil & Compton, CA), Ryan Cabrera
Ryan Cabrera
Ryan Frank Cabrera is an American pop rock musician. In 2004, Cabrera debuted with his single "On the Way Down", a top ten hit in the U.S., and album Take It All Away...
and he has also been working with Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson
Jessica Ann Simpson is an American recording artist, actress, television personality, and fashion designer whose rise to fame began in 1999. Since that time, Simpson has achieved many recording milestones, starred in several television shows, movies, and commercials, launched a line of hair and...
on a special project in which industry insiders say will be a re-invention album for Jessica & will not sound like anything else she has ever recorded & a re-emergence album of Ashlee Simpson. He serves as personal Spiritual consultant to Aaron Carter
Aaron Carter
Aaron Charles Carter is an American singer. He came to fame as a pop and hip hop singer in the late 1990s, establishing himself as a star among pre-teen and teenage audiences during the early-first decade of the 21st century....
& had a key role in Aarons participation on 2009 season of Dancing With The Stars
Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars is the name of several international television series based on the format of the British TV series Strictly Come Dancing, which is distributed by BBC Worldwide – the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the format has been licensed to over 35 countries...
. He has also branched out in the film/tv world & is producing 2 television shows, a feature film & a documentary about the 1988 Notre Dame National Championship team. DeNiro is currently scoring a feature film for Miramax Films. His film/tv production company is called LightSpeed productions and projects on the way involve some of the most powerful & influential people of the world...The newest title under his belt is consultant to the new "pay per view" Internet platform called Pheed, where he works directly with the Internet investor & founder O.D. Kobo
External links
- http://www.nhj.k12.in.us/teachers/rdowell/Pop%20A-H.htm
- http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/article_99adde32-3ff2-5e4b-a807-aa26f8ecf3ad.html
- http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/nd-m-fb-a-ros-97.html
- http://www.und.com/ot/60bca-monograms.html
- http://www.carlosarmando.com/celebrity.htm
- http://www.discogs.com/artist/T-Smoov