The Twilite Tone

Anthony Christopher Khan (born July 13, 1971), professionally known as The Twilite Tone, is an American ^[1] record producer^[2][3] recording artist, composer, DJ and radio host. Among others, he has worked with Gorillaz, Kanye West, Common, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Big Sean, Judith Hill, and John Legend.

Early life

Tone was born in Chicago, IL the son of Indria Khan and Anthony Christopher Craig. Tone was born with the surname Craig (his father's name), which was later changed to Khan, his family's surname. He was influenced by his uncle, Hassan Khan, who married Chaka Khan in 1970.^[4] Tone's cousin is jazz bassist Richard Davis. He learned to play the trumpet in 3rd grade, and soon after learned to play percussion instruments. He was the drum section leader in his high school band, and dj'd for the first time as a sophomore at a Kenwood Academy^[4][5] event.

Career

Tone was first introduced to NO I.D. and Chicago rapper Common in 1987, and soon became the DJ for both in their collective group “CDR”.^[6] The group recorded an LP together and it was released in 1989, under the name 1015 or 326 later dubbed Dion & Tony.

In 1989, Tone met two dancers, Reggie and Clay, and together they formed Dem Dare, aka Darians,^[7] to promote both house and hip-hop events. Tone dj'd at the first show Dem Dare promoted, which took place at Club Alcatraz in Chicago. During this period Tone created the term Go-ill and Chic-Chic, as reference for Chicago. In 1990, Tone started working on Common demos.^[8]

In 1992, Tone produced "Can I Borrow a Dollar"^[9] the debut album by Common (then known as Common Sense), contributing to 12 of the album's 13 tracks. Tone, along with co-producer No I.D. produced the first and best-charting single was 1992's "Take It EZ". It reached No. 5 on the Hot Rap Singles chart while his next two singles, "Breaker 1/9"^[10]" and "Soul by the Pound" reached #10 and #7 respectively.

In 1993, Tone produced "Can I Bust", which was the first time that Tone rhymed on a record.

In 1994, Tone, under the alias Ynot(Master Ynot Never The Less), produced "Chapter 13"^[11] and "Sum Shit I Wrote" off Common's album Resurrection (Common album). Tone was also featured on Chapter 13^[12] rapping under the name Ynot.

In 1997, Tone produced the track "Reminding Me (Of Sef)” off of Common’s One Day It'll All Make Sense album.

From 1995 until 2000, Tone focused on DJ'ing.^[7] In 1999, he produced and rhymed on a track called "Get The Doe", which had ears buzzing and wanting to hear a full LP from Tone. But in 2003, Tone had a close call with death. He was driving in Hazel Crest, IL, and blacked out behind the wheel, crashing into a rock. He was later diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes,^[13] which has led him to change his lifestyle for the better, with practicing yoga and being more conscious with what he puts in his body.

In 2006, Tone moved to New York, and continued heavy on the DJ scene, while getting back into mainstream production. From 2007 to 2009, Tone executive-produced, mixed, and produced two tracks of U-God third solo album Dopium,^[14] which features Rims Poking Out and Hips.

In 2010, Tone produced the Just Write Mixtape series for the movie, starring Queen Latifah and Common.^[15]

In 2012, Tone co-produced and co-wrote three tracks on Kanye West’s & GOOD Music’s Cruel Summer (GOOD Music album) “Don’t Like”, and “The One” and the lead single “Mercy (GOOD Music song)^[16]”,^[17][18] which reached No. 1 on Billboard's US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and US Rap Songs Charts and went 2× Platinum.

In 2013, Tone contributed on the tracks "MILF" and “Mona Lisa” on Big Sean’s second album, Hall of Fame (Big Sean album), released by GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings.^[19] He also produced “Who Do We Think We Are” and “What If I Told You (Interlude)” on John Legend’s Grammy-nominated album Love in the Future.^[20] Continuing on his GOOD Music stretch, Tone contributed to Pusha T's “Nosetalgia” featuring Kendrick Lamar, from the album My Name Is My Name.

In 2015, Tone produced "Put the Guns Down"^[21][22][23]” a posse cut that inspired the city's youth to end gun violence in Chicago with an all-star cast featuring Common, King Louie, G Herbo, Katie Got Bandz, Saba, Tree, No Name Gypsy, Mic Terror, and Nick Jr. of Treated Crew.

In 2016, Tone was selected from a handful of names to produce the upcoming Gorillaz project. From a Skype chat with band members Damon Albarn and Remi Kabaka, and a two-week session in London, the chemistry between Tone and the band was inevitable. Tone is the producer along with Damon Albarn, of the 2017 Gorillaz^[24][25][26] LP, which features the first track " Hallelujah Money", that was leaked on inauguration eve of " President Trump". Tone is credited with production on all 19 of the albums tracks.^[27]

In 2018, My Brightest Diamond announced that they have a new album which is set to be released, and the entire album is co-produced by The Twilite Tone^[28].

Tone has been quoted with having the following saying which he applies to everything: “Kill the dinosaur, and let the baby live”, meaning, let go of all your ego around the past and be in the now.

Selected discography

References