T.A.P alias Tony Knuckles
Hip Hop • Cleveland, OH
Born April 11, 1973 in Cleveland, Ohio. Been in love with music since the early age of six (6) years old. My father is a musician and I used to go watch him perform and took a lot of influence and interest in music itself. Wrote my own songs and developed myself over time as a lyricist and poet. Was involved in a few crews but nothing solid and took my music overseas to Germany in 1991.
Performed in clubs throughout Germany and the Czech Republic (Prague). Made a name for myself off local talent shows, Apollo shows, promoted shows, and radio. Moved back to the U.S. in 2001 to upstate New York and basically nurtured my craft while working on my poetry book and freestyling in local cyphers. Normal ish!
Late 2004 moved back to Germany off faith and a connect. Linked up with my crew NOOAGE (formerly ONE-LUV FAM in Nuremberg) and we off jump-started touring and pushing crew albums, which dropped back to back. I dropped my debut album "Food4Thaut...Everydayz a Struggle" and took the country by storm. Went international and received a couple record deals but nothing where I was benefiting so I chose to go independent and start my own label.
Dropped mad exclusives on mixtapes and featured albums until I got to work with DJ Gangi (Major Movez) and Kool Savas. Dropped the sophomore street tape "Gutta Muzik" LP and got another major buzz with radio and the club scene. Organized "Street made Entertainment" with my partner Dolla and did a crazy summer tour performing with major acts like 3-6 Mafia, Jim Jones, Gorilla Zoe, Product G&B, etc. as well as our own gigs.
The mixtape "Grams, Guns, & Mics" with DJ Richie (Holla Back Productions created a buzz with anthems and the club banga "Move" which also separated me from other artists in the game. Various magazine interviews and MTV Album critique has placed me in the industry as a successful independent rap artist.
April 10th, 2015, I've just released my new highly anticipated studio project, "Food4Thaut II: Prelude The EP". The first single, "Realest Ever", has been shaking the streets as a classic street anthem. This project is to give the people new music just before the actual album, "Food4Thaut II..Release Therapy" is released summer 2015.
"I continue to strive and produce quality hits and all around good music for the masses and salute all my supporters and artists doing the same."