The Ton3s: Young Vintage
First things first, please introduce for me the members of The Ton3s…
I am J Vito! We Also have 2E and Tony Lelo.
Let’s hop right into this single / video, “Better” — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?
Vito: Better came from the MASTERMIND of 2E! There’s actually a couple versions of this song “Better.” We just ended up sprinklin’ a lil something new on it. Making it feel like somethin’ you heard or felt before.
Of course “Better” comes courtesy of your new LP, We Are The Ton3s — Although pretty straight and to the point, still tell me, conceptually, what this title represents both to and for you all?
Vito: This is actually our 1st body of work under a new name. So this is just a exclamation mark to just that!
We Are The Ton3s contains high profile appearances from Snoop Dogg, PJ Morton, Sir The Baptist and Tarriona “Tank” Ball — How did y’all even manage to execute these collabs?
Vito: Throughout our careers we’ve had the opportunity to run into a lot of our favorite artists. A lot of these collaborations came from just simply having a conversation! I know one in particular was the time Snoop Dogg actually called us by phone to actually explain what he wanted from us on his I Wanna Thank Me project. It was like watchin’ TV hearing him talk.
We Are The Ton3s is a Young Vintage / EMPIRE project — What particular string of events led to this union?
Vito: All of this is made possible by our team! We have some really important people in place to make certain things happen for us.
Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you all first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for the group formerly known as The HamilTones?
Vito: When I knew I wanted to sing, I was a kid. Growing up following my parents around, they both sang. Growing up in church, it was undeniable. Fast forward, singing background for Anthony Hamilton landed me this opportunity. It all stemmed from singing for him and it grew into where we are today. We had multiple opportunities to present ourselves to the world. Whether it was singing background for Anthony, or the viral video we did over the years that spread across social media.
Now where exactly do you all hail from? And growing up there, who all did / do you all consider to be your strongest musical influences?
Vito: We all hail from different parts of NC by way of Greensboro and Charlotte. My strongest musical influence was and still is my Dad. He’s totally responsible for what I have and am today.
At what point in time, specifically, did you all even opt to pursue music on a professional basis?
Vito: I opted to be a singer at an early age. Singing in the choir. Being constantly complimented on what I sounded like. Being told what I needed to do with my singing.
With that being said, how do you all classify your overall sound and / or style?
Vito: Our sound / style is Young Vintage! That’s a lil ode with some of that new young flavor on it.
In having said that, when you all sit down to pen your lyrics where do you all draw your inspiration(s) from?
Vito: Our lyrics come from life itself! We have either lived it or seen it happen one time or another.
What particular string of events actually led to your initially linking up with Mr. Anthony Hamilton?
Lelo: I was an aspiring artist / musician, locally performing at club Allure in Charlotte, NC. The MD there was also the MD or “musical director” for Anthony, and when destiny presented itself I got the call.
2E: Singing background at a spot in Charlotte called Club Allure. Anthony’s MD at the time was a good friend of mine, who eventually pulled me in the camp when the opportunity opened.
What exactly caused you all to part ways and made you all opt to embark on your own separate musical journey?
Lelo: We began to get more opportunities as The HamilTones – now The Ton3s – and it became an issue with being in two places at one time. We talked it over amongst ourselves and decided to give this group thing a chance, and here we are. I would also like to say, we made this move with Anthony’s blessings so it wasn’t like we just up and peeled. We all understood the scenario and thought it was a good move to at least give the people what they were asking for. If it worked, cool…if not, at least we tried!
2E: We had dope chemistry on stage and even beyond the stage. When we saw how the public received us in our moments on stage with Anthony and all the viral moments, we thought it would be dope to try to see if we could stand in our own light.
Switching gears here, what exactly do you all want people to get from your music?
Lelo: A whole lotta soul, even more real mixed in with that Carolina country thang we bring! Down south vibes basically.
2E: We want people to know that classic feel good music ain’t dead. Nothing against the newer artists, but we have a more closing approach…even on newer sounding music we still hit it with those classic harmonies that you don’t get these days too often.
If you all could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Lelo: I would have loved to had worked with everyone associated with Tony! Toni! Toné! in their prime!! To me, we’re down south versions of Tony! Toni! Toné!. Everyone associated with that particular movement in its time, I would love to just sit down and make magic. I truly feel, that would be industry changing. There’s a lot of trying to do soul right now. Them guys knew soul and you felt it. We know soul, too!!
2E: I have a few, but if I had to name one I’d say Stevie Wonder. I’ve always loved Stevie’s sound. I came up listening to him, and he’s one of the last living – old school – music legends.
If you all could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
Lelo: Apollo – main room – or Carnegie Hall! Music for me is a tool to reach the heart. It’s deeper than a quick radio hit or a quick dollar, although us as artists need them both. When you reach Apollo / Carnegie status, you gotta be changing peoples’ lives. You gotta have music that actually speaks to peoples’ souls and flesh. There is a difference! Check the artists who have performed in these spaces. You’ll get me!! In my opinion.
2E: Too many to choose from, but I’d say anywhere foreign that seats 10,000 plus…and (if) we were to sell that out that would be a dream. More people, more fans…more money! Lol!
In terms of longevity, what do you all feel it is that will continue to sustain you in this grueling industry?
Lelo: Our drive and goals is/are endless! The industry can’t stop that. The only ones that can stop that, is us!
2E: Continuing to make good music and connecting to our fans. No matter what direction we go, as long as the fans are happy and the fanbase is growing, I’m good.
Do you all have any other outside / additional future aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
Lelo: Gaming! I’mma legit gamer.
2E: I have a few things I’m working on, in music and beyond. At the end of the day, I just wanna be successful and be able to provide for my children and family while I’m here and even after.
On a more serious note, are you all happy with the current state of R&B?
Lelo: lol…it’s cool! I miss the times where R&B / Soul was like an amusement park. You can get on different musical rides, ya know! To me…in my opinion, all of the rides are the same now. Good rides…no hate…but just the same! I like that “durty, gritty” music. Everything so pretty now. Lol!
2E: Music is music. Everybody approached it differently. It’s all about what the fans want. So I’m neither happy or sad. I respect everybody’s art.
To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?
Lelo: Just traveling the globe off our own back! It feels good to finally create our own journey. It ain’t easy, but to whom much is given much is required. Is what it is! Lol!
2E: When I was able to sustain myself offa MY OWN music. That was big!
Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you all see yourselves?
Lelo: Giving a whole lot with a whole lotta money, healthy with my family and out da way!
2E: A lil older, a lil richer, happy.
As for the immediate, what’s next for The Ton3s?
Lelo: More Carolina vibes, ya see!!
2E: New music, new content, more laughs, more Ton3s!
Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?
Lelo: Yeah…new music from us is out right now. Get that!!
2E: If you don’t have the album, go get it! Lol!
Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?
Lelo: Keep God first and reach high. You only got one life for all we know, so be smart and if you make a mistake try not to repeat it…feel me??!! #YKWITA
2E: If you don’t have the album, go get it! Lol!
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