Antwon
Quick Facts
Biography
Antonio Williams (born October 25, 1986), better known by his stage name Antwon, is an American hip hop recording artist from San Jose, California. In 2013, he was listed on Complex's "15 Unsigned Rappers Who Should Get a Deal After SXSW" list. He was also listed on Complex's "25 New Rappers to Watch Out For in 2014" list. He is also a member of rap group Secret Circle.
Life and career
Born in Key West, Florida to an African-American father and a Filipino mother, Antwon grew up in Sunnyvale, California. He was a member of the Philadelphia-based hardcore band Leather, as well as the pop punk bands Sour Patch and How to: Summer.
Antwon's first mixtape, Fantasy Beds, was released in 2011. In that year, he also released My Westside Horizon.
In 2012, Antwon released a mixtape, End of Earth, which was chosen by SF Weekly as one of their 10 Best Bay Area Hip-Hop Records of 2012. In 2013, he released a mixtape, In Dark Denim, which was chosen by Spin as their Rap Release of the Week.
His first official album, Heavy Hearted in Doldrums, was released on UNIF and Nature World in 2014. In 2016, he released the EP, Double Ecstasy, on Anticon. Near the end of 2016, Antwon teamed up with Deafheaven guitarist Kerry McCoy to announce the project 25th St. Sessions, recorded under the name "Antonio Williams // Kerry McCoy" on Ghost Ramp. The first single, posted to Ghost Ramp's Soundcloud, was called "Changes." The single marked a stark shift in Antwon's usual sound, being a more of a punk sound compared to his usual brand of heavy hip-hop.
Style and influences
Spin described Antwon as "an affable guy who might have one of rap's biggest, best-sounding voices, which he usually focuses on goofy jokes and surprisingly sweet bedroom raps." He has often been compared to The Notorious B.I.G. He noted Kid Rock as the greatest influence.
Discography
Studio albums
- Heavy Hearted in Doldrums (2014)
Remix albums
- Heavy Hearted in the Function: Depressed Teenager Remixes (2014)
Compilation albums
- Collection: 2005-2007 (2011)
Mixtapes
- Fantasy Beds (2011)
- My Westside Horizon (2011)
- End of Earth (2012)
- In Dark Denim (2013)
EPs
- Double Ecstasy (2016)
Singles
- "Big Girls" (2011)
- "Living Every Dream" (2012)
- "Underwater Tank" (2012) (with Lil Ugly Mane)
- "Helicopter" (2013)
- "Automatic" (2013)
- "Dying in the P****" (2013)
Guest appearances
- Isaiah Toothtaker - "Waterbed Wave" from Sea Punk Funk (2012)
- Shadowrunners - "Smooth" from Cyberdine (2012)
- Juiceboxxx - "Pump It (Remix)" (2013)
- Kitty - "Scout Finch Bitch" from D.A.I.S.Y. Rage (2013)
- Hot Sugar - "No Joke" from Midi Murder (2013)
- Hot Sugar - "Mama, I'm a Man" and "56k" from Made Man (2013)
- Lil Ugly Mane - "Underwater Tank" from The Weeping Worm (2014)
- Little Pain - "Pain Killers" from L.I.T.T.L.E. (2014)
- Pictureplane - "Total Confusion" (2015)
- Crookers - "Strokin'" from Sixteen Chapel (2015)
- Shy Girls - "Xhampagne" from 4WZ (2015)
- Wiki - "Whole Half" and "Patience" from Lil Me (2015)
- Wiki - "God Bless Me (Remix)" (2016)
- clipping. - "Back Up" from Wriggle (2016)