Fat Tony

Anthony Lawson Jude Ifeanyichukwu Obiawunaotu (sometimes shortened as Anthony Lawson Obi; born March 24, 1988), better known by his stage name Fat Tony, is a Nigerian-American rapper.

He has been recognized in URBs "Next 1000", a list of emerging new artists anticipated to break through. At the Houston Press Music Awards, he won the Best Underground Hip Hop award in 2008, 2009, and 2010, as well as the Best Solo Rapper award in 2013.

Early life Fat Tony grew up in the Third Ward area of Houston, Texas. Fat Tony's father, an Igbo, fought in the Biafran War in Nigeria before coming to Houston. and the University of St. Thomas. He also studied as a communications major at the University of Houston.

Career Fat Tony's debut studio album, RABDARGAB, was released in 2010. The album's title is a reference to the late 1990s Houston Independent School District campaign ("Read a book, do a report, get a buck") aimed at students to promote literacy by offering $1 to students in exchange for book reports. In 2012, he released a collaborative album with producer Tom Cruz, titled Double Dragon, on Young One Records.

In 2013, he released Smart Ass Black Boy on Young One Records. Produced by Tom Cruz, the album was written in two days and recorded in four days in Los Angeles, California. It was included on the year-end lists by Complex, Houston Press, and Vice.

In 2017, he released MacGregor Park on First One Up. The album's title refers to MacGregor Park in Houston. It was included on the year-end lists by Bandcamp Daily and Houston Press. In 2018, Fat Tony released 10,000 Hours on Don Giovanni Records. Written and recorded in Los Angeles, the album was produced in large part by Hevln. In 2019, Fat Tony served as a host on the nightly live variety show Vice Live on Viceland along with Marie Faustin, Sandy Honig, and Zack Fox.

In 2020, he released a collaborative album with producer Taydex, titled Wake Up, on Carpark Records. On October 23, 2020, he released the album Exotica on Carpark Records. In 2025, he joined the No Music for Genocide movement in protest of Israeli actions in Gaza.

Style and influences Fat Tony has cited Ramones, Prince, Michael Jackson, Black Flag, Bad Brains, Morrissey, the Smiths, E-40, Jay-Z, Nas, the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, UGK, Outkast, DJ Screw, Three 6 Mafia, Mac Dre, Too Short, Aaliyah, R. Kelly, My Bloody Valentine, Nirvana, Rick Rubin, Beastie Boys, Scarface, Devin the Dude, Kilo Ali, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Mannie Fresh, Bikini Kill, Lil B, A Tribe Called Quest, Avril Lavigne and De La Soul as his music influences.

Personal life His home was destroyed in the 2025 Eaton Fire.

Discography

Studio albums RABDARGAB (2010) Double Dragon (2012) Smart Ass Black Boy (2013) MacGregor Park (2017) House with a Pool (2018) 10,000 Hours (2018) Wake Up (2020) Exotica (2020) I Will Make a Baby in this Damn Economy (2023) Brain Candy (2024)

Remix albums SCREWDARGAB (2011) MacGregor Park (Chopnotslop Remix) (2017)

Live albums Live at No Audience (2020)

Compilation albums The Creation of Fat Tony (2009)

Mixtapes RABDARGAB: The EPreview (2010)

EPs Love Life (2008) Look (2016) Urban Hall of Fame (2016) Snak Pak (2018) Full Circle (2018)

Singles "Hood Party" (2013) "BKNY (Remix)" (2013) "No More" b/w "Love Me" (2014) "Sushi" (2015) "Dame Un Beso" (2016) "Twin Peaks" (2017) "Two for One" (2017) "Son of God" (2017) "Growth Spurt" b/w "Northside Dr." (2018) "FWU" (2018) "Don't Move" b/w "Can't Stay" (2020) "Gambling Man" (Mariachi Remix) (2020) "Ain't for Me" (2021) "Ain't for Me" (Blockhead Remix) (2020)

Guest appearances SMKA - "'Til It's Gone" and "I'm on Fire" from SMKA: The 808 Experiment Vol. 1 (2008) DJ Sly - "Killin' Time" from Beyond It (2009) Juiceboxxx - "Boxxx Get Busy" from Journeyman from the Heartland (2010) Das Racist - "Luv It Mayne" from Sit Down, Man (2010) Tecla - "Beautiful Problems" from Strangers Revisited (2011) ASAP Rocky - "Get Lit" from Live. Love. ASAP (2011) Tecla - "No Music" from Thanksgiving (2011) Hot Sugar - "Leverage" from Midi Murder (2012) Big Baby Gandhi - "Lurkin'" from No1 2 Look Up 2 (2012) Mishka & Rad Reef - "Hyperbolic Chamber Music" (2012) Heems - "Bangles" from Nehru Jackets (2012) Antwon - "Laugh Now: Hot Sugar Version" (2013) Tecla - "Bed of Roses" and "Mayo on the Side" from Bruja (2013) Steel Tipped Dove - "Sprung" from Steel Tipped Dove & a Whole Bunch of Crazy Motherfuckers (2013) Kool & Kass - "Burtation" from Peaceful Solutions (2013) Weekend Money - "Trapper Keeper" from Freddie Merkury (2014) Shy Girls - "Without (Magic Fades Remix)" (2014) Donwill & Dash Speaks - "Sixteen Tons" from Don Speaks (2014) Kari Faux - "Stainless" from Laugh Now, Die Later (2014) Tony Collins - "Take You Home" from Last Night (2014) Cakes da Killa - "I Run This Club Remix" from I Run This Club (2014) Puzzle - "All the Best" from Tighten the Reins (2017) Black Midi - "Jam" and "bmbmbm" from Black Midi Live in the USA (2020)