Tony Sunshine

Tony Sunshine (born Antonio Cruz in the Bronx, New York) is an R&B singer of Puerto Rican descent, famous for singing on a large amount of Terror Squad's songs. He sang on tracks such as Cuban Link's "Still Telling Lies", Fat Joe's "All I Need" and Big Pun's "100%". He released his own single on Jive Records titled: "Oh My God" featuring P. Diddy and Dirtbag in 2004. Tony Sunshine has new album set for this spring.

Official Biography

Edited from Tony Sunshine's Story on website

It all started for the Bronx-bred, Puerto Rican when he was the tender age of 5. That's when Antonio Cruz started to express himself by singing but it wasn't salsa music that inspired young Antonio, in fact his house wasn't filled with Latin music at all. It was always Soul and R&B that was playing in background of little Antonio's life.By the time he was 12, Tony knew he wanted to pursue a career in show business, especially after he witnessed Fat Joe ascend from being just a thug in their BX neighborhood to blossoming as a superstar.

When Tony was about 13 he saw Fat Joe with ‘ Digging in the Crates' at ‘Showtime at the Apollo' " I stepped to him and was like, 'Yo, listen, I sing.' "Fat Joe & Big Pun saw his potential and took Tony under their wing, letting him tag along to shows and trying to secure a recording contract for the teen.

R&B was born. This was Tony's stage name, it stood for Rough Brother but back then Fat Joe was known, as Joey Crack and his name didn't hold the weight it does today. Labels passed on his young protégé.

It wouldn't be until years later that Tony would graduate from tag-along status to full-fledged Terror Squad compatriot.

"I was away from the neighborhood for a while, trying to get myself together," Tony said. "I met up with Pun years later and he already had a couple of videos out. He was so happy to see me, he was like, 'Wow, where you been?' Next thing you know I was on four songs on Pun's [second] album. I went to the studio, started hanging out, and we started coming up with ideas together."

It was his idea for Tony's Artist name to be Sunshine and so R&B became Tony Sunshine and a solid member of the Terror Squad.

In 2000, tragedy struck when Big Pun suddenly died from a heart attack, which left Tony floored and for a while the ‘Happy Papi' was unhappy as he mourned and remembered his good friend Christopher Rios Aka Big Pun. "He always pushed me. It was like he knew his time was coming," recalled Tony, who starred in the video for "100%" after Pun's fatal heart attack. "He was saying little subliminal things to me like 'Always keep going' and if something happens to him, to listen to Joe.

Tony was able to rise above the tragedy and along with Fat Joe began recording some of their strongest material. Hits included a mixture of ballads and club stompers with producers Cool and Dre. He also collaborated with R. Kelly, Ginuwine, Fabolous and Capone-N-Noreaga.

Music

Tony Sunshine has sung vocals for Big Pun on songs like 100%, Laughin at You & My D*ck. He has also appeared on some of Fat Joe's songs including TS Piece & All I need. Terror Squad's debut album entitled 'Terror Squad' was released in 1999, Tony Sunshine appears on several songs on that album also.

Fat Joe was able to finalize a record deal for Tony in 2005 with Epic and Sony BMG. Tony Sunshine was released from Sony BMG in May, 2006 and was signed to Urban Box Office. In November 2006, UBO folded, leaving the future of Tony Sunshine's 2007 debut release uncertain. Tony released "She's Like The Wind", that featured fellow New York artist Lumidee, there is an English version and a Spanglish version.

Tony Sunshine finally leaves Terror Squad as of June, 2008. Stated on a myspace blog:

"Everybody keeps asking me why I am no longer down with the Terror Squad. To answer everyone's question, let me start by saying that there is no beef. I left Fat Joe's camp like a gentlemen. I wish him and his family nothing but the best. But it was time for Tony Sunshine to stand on his own two feet and become a leader of his own movement.

So now I'm a free agent. But I recently signed a management deal with Darrin "Dee" Dean. The C.E.O. of Ruff Ryders Entertainment. And the rest is about to become history. I have a new road manager, d.j., street team, etc. So expect to see a new and improved Tony Sunshine for 2008. This is going to be my year. Not my summer! Dee has me currently working in the studio with producers like Swizz Beats & Neo Da Matrix. So expect new hot music from Tony Sunshine very soon. I need my fans to understand that I was going through a lot of industry bullshit. And that is the reason you have not heard new music from Tony Sunshine. But it is "FINALLY" over. And I "FINALLY" got the clearance to do me. And that's exactly what I'm going to do."

Discography

Albums

*2004: "T.O.N.Y." (Unreleased)
*2008: "Finally"

ingles

*2004: "Oh My God" (featuring P. Diddy & Dirtbag)
*2006: "Drop Ya Body" (featuring Dre)
*2007: "She's Like the Wind" (Lumidee featuring Tony Sunshine)
*2007: "Sunshine & Rain"
*2007: "Love Em Both" (featuring Fat Joe)
*2007: "If I Say The Wrong Shit"
*2008: "Until The End"
*2008: "I'll Wait For You"
*2008: "Won't Let Go" (featuring Cristion D'OR)
*2008: "Playing With My Heart" (featuring Ernie Gaines)
*2008: "Portrait Of A Fool"
*2008: "Here I Am" (featuring Jadakiss)

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/tonysunshinetopofnewyork Official MySpace Page]