Who Is Da Real A1?
Antonio aka “Da Real A1” was born September 2, 1997. He is originally from the southern city of Thomasville Georgia, where his musical talent began. He began rapping/singing around the age of 5 with big influences from his father and a host of uncles. A1 admitted that being around his late uncle, Chad “Sleepy” Lamons was the key to his success today. “He always had me rapping, I really miss that guy,” says A1.
A1 dropped his first mixtape in his early days of high school at Thomas County Central. He recalls, “It was hard getting people to follow what I knew one day that would come true, I wasn’t that popular”.
As time progressed, A1 went into the military after graduating in the year of 2016. He claimed he couldn’t focus because the music was always on his mind. He also mentioned his mother wanted him to go to the military, it was never his idea. “She didn’t want me in the streets, so she tried her best to make me do what was right” he states. After serving 3 1/2 years in the military at Fort Campbell Kentucky, A1 was honorably discharged and is now a father to a beautiful little girl.
In 2019 A1 began to skyrocket with his music career. “I would go to Atlanta every weekend and perform at lounges and clubs for free,” he says. Hard work paid off for him when he met the son of Coach K at Treble Clef studio, Baby Coach. It wasn’t long until he was invited to the last stop of Think It’s A Game Record Label’s tour where the artist Posa was performing. “Everything was happening so fast, my previous manager had me moving,” says A1.
Around the middle of October in 2019, A1 was arrested on drug-related charges in the city of Cordele Georgia. With no previous criminal history and a little faith, A1 was released after serving nearly a month inside. Still fighting for his breakout chance in the music industry, he dropped another tape along the way called, “Last Chance”. Suddenly his hit single “Dead Friends” was starting to break out on radio stations and social media, then he met Mr. “Kentucky Boy” a former artist of Universal Music Group. Together the pair plan on taking the industry by storm they declare.
The Hype Magazine got A1 to weigh in on a few things
From the outside looking in Who Is A1?
A young ni**a from the city of Thomasville Georgia, I also grew up in the Boston Georgia aka the 4. It’s real rough out there.
What brought you to the entertainment industry, music specifically?
My pops and my uncle Sleepy. My dad had a music group back in the day which I admired. While my uncle Sleepy kept me writing, freestying and working on my craft. Rest In Peace Sleepy.
What do you want people to get from your music?
To feel my pain and my story. Just what I had to go through. It’s a new struggle everyday.
Tell us about your current project!
Right now I just dropped my newest single “No Cut” which will be coming soon on all platforms.
If you had to pick an introductory song for first-time listeners from your body of work what would it be?
I would pick “Dead Friends” because the song is very personal to me and one of my favorite songs on my “Last Chance” album.
Tell us about your work and passions OUTSIDE of music…
Other than God, my daughter Aaliyah or being around my brothers Boogie, Shan Gee & Jay Brooks I’m in the studio
Last but not least, The Hype Magazine wants to know what’s been your craziest “Where they do that at?!” or WTF situation thus far…
When I got set up by someone I thought I could trust and ended up facing a felony. I’ll never trust a soul the way I used to. I put it through the music.
In closing A1 states, “They better be ready for what I’m bringing to the table, I have over 30 unreleased songs right now and it’s not over.”
Connect with A1
Instagram: @dareal_.a1
Twitter: @DarealA1_
TweetAbout the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
