Serch's Manager and hip-hop Producer, Tony D killed in car crash

[MistaJohn]

Tony D - who managed Serch and produced classic tracks like Poor Righteous Teachers "Rock Dis Funky Joint" was killed in a car accident last night:

Veteran producer Tony D. was killed in a tragic car accident last night (April 4) in his hometown of Hamilton, New Jersey.

Police said Tony D., born Anthony Depula, lost control over his 2002 Jeep when it struck the fence of a local cemetery, causing the vehicle to flip onto its passenger side.

A number of neighbors attempted to remove the producer from the Jeep as they waited for emergency personnel to respond. Tony D., who was not wearing a seat belt, was taken to Capital Health Systems for treatment, where he was pronounced dead for a severe injury to his neck.

Tony D. started his career as a D and he managed MC Serch of 3rd Bass fame.

He went out to produce for a number of acts, including Poor Righteous Teachers, The Outsidaz, Young Zee, King Sun, Pace Won, DJ Muggs and others.

Tony D.'s best known production was Poor Righteous Teachers' Hip-Hop classic single "Rock Dis Funky Joint," which was released in 1990.

[mitchk]

Very sad  R.I.P

[dr. chill-ton]

I'm not sure if that's the same tony d. I think serch's first manager was named tony dick (of "tony dick  gets the gas face" fame) Tony d who died here was much younger. not sure who would know for sure.

[MistaJohn]

Yeah - I think the "media" got this story wrong. There was a connection, but not as described in the story. Here's Serch's comments from his MySpace blog:


R.I.P Tony D
I knew him
But it wasn’t like that


I met Tony back in the day with that brother Wise Intelligence and Poor Righteous Teachers, and he tried to play me. He even put out a record called “Don’t fall for the Gas Line”. He tried to play me at a convention one time in San Francisco and then we stopped talking.

Maybe at least a dozen times in the last twenty years, He really didn’t say anything respectful when he did an interview and was asked a question about me.

I can’t say I liked the guy, in truth I didn’t really know the guy.

I don’t know what happened and why he lost control of his Jeep, but I hope that when he took his last breath on this Earth and left us to be with the Most High

That it was taken in Peace and he felt no pain.

R.I.P. Tony D
You will always be mentioned in the halls of Hip Hop
And I will always remember you.


Love is Love
Ser

[PL]

Tony D was one of the greatest producers of all times.  One of the most original and extremely underrated.   I couldn't believe it when I read about his death.  Just last month I exchanged some emails w/him regarding classic Trenton hip hop and purchased a custom cd from him of some unreleased stuff he produced.  I feel fortunate that I was able to thank him for all the music he's put out over the years.   I really feel for his family.  Here's a great story I saw about him yesterday:

http://www.dancharnas.com/2009/04/white-devil-becomes-white-angel-tony-d.html