It’s a New York State of mind as rapper Anthony Kannon and producer Frost Gamble join forces on the new compelling album “Cautionary Tales”.
Recipient of the title “Best Rapper” at the Ithaca Music Awards in 2019, the young lyricist draws on his own real life battles and traumatic episodes, conveying a wide range of subject matter represented throughout the aptly titled release. It is a remarkable journey encapsulated in a series of biographical depictions, all with an underlying theme of survival, escape, progression and transformation.
Witnessing as a 6 year old the incarceration of his mother due to drug dependency issues and the subsequent break up of the family unit with siblings displaced across America had, understandably, a huge impact on one so young. However as he relates in the narrative, it also provided a motivation to pick up the pen for the first time, encouraged by his musician father.
A talented athlete at school, street corner hustles were necessary to supplement the limited household income, and the album explores at length the harsh realities while dispensing of any glamourisation. Surrounded by betrayals, dangers and the loss of life, the subsequent emergence and change of path still brought with it a legacy of consequences. The challenges of breaking free from shackles and perceptions held by the street are not inconsiderable, but the journey to new horizons remained undaunted.
The themes are handled with impressive maturity, not least in the aftermath of having been shot in the family home by armed intruders where, as in earlier years, the trauma of his “life changing experience” was turned on its head and used for a new level of focus. Stating at the time “Success will be the best revenge. Whoever did this is ruining their lives, not mine” the linear motivation was genuine and has born witness to a prolific period of writing ever since.
Regarded as a local classic for the diversity of issues raised, the “Colorblind” EP in 2019 was followed by the release of the video “Cartel” addressing police brutality at the height of the George Floyd tragedy. A dedicated champion of the local music scene, the video featured a plethora of local artists under the stronger together banner all sending a united message against injustices they have experienced first hand.
A series of EP’s and albums followed in 2021 and 2022, and it is fitting that with such passion for his home State he should turn to a local veteran producer in taking the next step of his journey, Binghamton’s Frost Gamble.
Originally a rap battler in the 1990’s, the switch to the desk and relocation to Manitoba, Canada, heralded a new era. Early work included productions with Young Bleed, Sadat X, J-Ro, Doc Ice and Tahmell, son of the legendary Rakim, while in 2013 he contributed to Fresh I.E.’s “Red Letterz 13” which duly won “Album of the Year” at the Canadian Gospel Music Awards.
Re-uniting with long time Binghamton sparring partner and rapper Tone Chop, in 2016 their “Veteran” EP enjoyed an impressive international reception, continued the following year with the release of the album “Respect is Earned Not Given” which culminated in a guest appearance on DJ Eclipse’s Sirius XM show ‘Rap Is Outta Control’.
The body of work from the pair since then has been nothing short of phenomenal with an extensive back catalogue augmented with every passing year. Separately Frost released further projects with, among others, Tragedy Khadafi, KXNG Crooked, Horseshoe Gang and Craig G while producing his “Sixteens” series of instrumentals. Additionally, a long track record of helping to develop new emerging artists from his original home State and Canada means destiny resonates for Anthony and Frost with this debut collaborative album.
Authentically powerful, this is Storyville of a life less ordinary set to the highest caliber soundtrack. Immense.
Released through New Dawn Records
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