Tony DeNiro

Tony DeNiro (born Anthony D. Smith, October 2, 1969) is an American music producer, songwriter, singer & musican. He produces pop, rock, hip-hop, and R&B. He is best known for producing, branding, managing and consulting career artists such as Fonzworth Bentley, Sean Combs (aka P.Diddy), and Missy Elliott.

He is also well known for his football career as All-American wide receiver of the University of Notre Dame's undefeated championship football team coached by Lou Holtz (1988-1992) and his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs. (See more: Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football.)

Formerly the Senior Vice-President of A&R at Priority Records and personally hired by the companies owner Bryan Turner, Tony DeNiro was the first minority music executive at the record label in 1996. He owns The Royal T’s Inc, an entertainment company that specializes in music production, talent management, image and business consulting & brand building to the entertainment and fashion industries. His recent applauded projects included interviewing, employing and transforming personal assistant to Sean “P.Diddy" Combs, Derrick Watkins, into the fashion forward gentleman and brand “Fonzworth Bentley”.

DeNiro is also acknowledged for his work consulting, managing, producing and branding career artists such as Mark Wahlberg, Brandy, Usher, Macy Gray, Ritchie Kotzen, Heavy D, Snoop Dogg, Chris Brown, Kanye West, Wu-Tang Clan, Eric Sermon, Keith Murray, Redman, Blu Cantrell, Free (host of BET’s 106 & Park), Stevie J, Faith Evans, Terrence Howard, Baron Davis, and Taryn Manning.

DeNiro has long been recognized for his distinct cutting edge style. For years he has been acknowledged for his work as a style and image consultant to major entertainment moguls prior to album releases, award shows, concerts and major industry events. Having proved himself a fashion and lifestyle trend-setter, DeNiro has also appeared in multiple fashion campaigns and fashion stories for Versace and Dolce & Gabana with photographers Mario Testino, Ellen Vonnenworth and Paulo Roversi. He is also documented for appearing in "GQ"’s Dolce & Gabana story with Naomi Campbell. Most recently DeNiro is noted for disovering, signing and producing 19 yr old female pop artist Lex Luther. Her first single, "SupaDupa", which was produced and written by Tony aired on radio stations across America in September 2008, and it was heard in episode 503 of HBO's hit series, "Entourage" in the exciting race scene with Ari in his new ferrari.

External links

*cite news |first=Mike |last=Nieto |title=Former Roosevelt star Tony Smith heads to Hollywood |url=http://nwitimes.com/articles/2008/09/09/sports/region_sports/doc3cbe50942ac4903b862574be007c51a5.txt |work=The Times |location=Munster, Ind. |date=2008-09-09 |accessdate=2008-10-04www.myspace.com/castheband