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It’s hard enough to get people to acknowledge your talent in one area, all the more so in two. However, it’s not impossible, and Anthony Lezell Davis, Jr., or who many recognize as Pretty Tony, is a testimony to that. Before becoming a rising star in hip-hop with tens of thousands of people in his fanbase, he was a basketball player with a promising future.
At the age of 5, young Tony was expose to basketball since his parents were athletes and coaches. They were also the ones who influenced and encouraged him to follow the same path. Besides basketball, Tony also played football and baseball, and he’d shown promise in all of them.
Tony went to Shaw High School and joined the basketball team under the guidance of his father. Many saw his potential in the sport, so it’s no wonder that he was included in competitions. In 2014 and 2015, he won state championship titles, and in 2017, a state runner-up title. He continued the same path and attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a full basketball scholarship.
Tony didn’t neglect his studies and, in fact, he was among the top of his high school class. However, above all the achievements in basketball and academics, his love for music prevailed. Tony knew how proud his parents were of his accomplishments so far, but he didn’t want to stop going after his true passion.
In the last semester of his Junior year, Tony decided to come clean and tell his parents about what he actually wanted to pursue in the future. Hearing that being a basketball player wasn’t his ultimate dream was a shock to them. However, they were still supportive of Tony’s choice of career.
Looking back, it was one of the biggest decisions that he had ever made, and it was the turning point of his life. If not for that decision, he wouldn’t be the Pretty Tony that tens of thousands follow and listen to on YouTube and Spotify. He wouldn’t also be experiencing all the support he’s receive from his fans on Twitter and Instagram.
His debut album, “Rich Tony,” was made in collaboration with some of the most talent rapper in the hip-hop industry. For instance, his songs, “3 Head Goat,” “Daily Grind,” “I Want,” “It Cost,” and “We Got It” feature CoKain. Kenny Muney, KjaayKashh, Peso Peso, Rizzoo Rizzoo, and Sauce Walka. Meanwhile, he rapped solo for the rest of the eight tracks in the album.
Despite being relatively new to the industry, Pretty Tony is steadily making his way to the top. Not many have achieved as much as he already has. Which shows that he has the potential to be the next generation’s hip-hop legend. Tony is still at the beginning of his journey, and in no time, his music will make its way worldwide.