When you are from a tough city, you have to be even tougher. When you are from a city that the rest of the world hates, you have to love it even harder. Duality is key in Detroit, and no one understands that better than Tone Scott. An artist/producer who is also a film director and philanthropist, Scott has always loved music. Growing up the youngest of five in a musical family, he was influenced early by radio which used to be much more diverse. “It was really different back then, it wasn’t really that one genre played at one time. I was into all kind of stuff from LL Cool J to Wham, from Stevie Wonder to Rakim.” While Tone Scott enjoyed a lot of different kinds of music, it was rap that he loved from day one. “It took over me,” he says, “it’s been with me ever since.” In the 90s, Scott started recording his own music and was eventually approached to sign to a recording contract, but had one problem. “I had a big record, but I needed a remix of it,” he recounts, “I approached a producer in Detroit, and asked him to help me and he said he was going to charge me $5,000,” he laughs, “I took that $5,000 bought a track 15 recorder and a ASR 10, and have been doing production ever since.” As if a busy production and rap career isn’t fulfilling enough, Tone Scott is also a film director who created a movie about Detroit gangster legend, T. Stuckey that he describes as a mix between American Gangster and Unsung. Scott is also a philanthropist who has given back to the community for years hosting cookouts, giveaways, and summer events for children, inspired by his own childhood. “I wasn’t always fortunate. I’m the youngest of 5. It’s always been in me to give back,” he says, “It makes me feel good to give back. I honestly think that’s what makes the world go ‘round.” It’s for his production that he is most known for. Under his production name “AK,” Tone Scott has created some of the most classic songs in Detroit hip-hop history. Most significantly, he produced Stack Master, debut album of the late Blade Icewood who is known as a legend in the city’s street rap sound. Icewood’s class song, “Boy Would U,” became a Detroit anthem that eventually made the pair known around the country. “We were like the Detroit version of Dre and Snoop,” Scott recalls, “I didn’t know him before working with him, but I taught him and mentored him. I gave him a blueprint.” After the rapper’s death, Scott produced a movie about his life and legacy which will be released later this year. As for his own music, Tone Scott explains what he set out to do on his debut project, The Preview. “I’m doing a lot of collaborations with Detroit artists,” Scott says, “I wanted to use a lot of younger and seasoned artists. I wanted to let people know that I can actually get on the track and hold my own with these guys.” The album was produced entirely by Scott who has also produced for Royce da 5’9”, Obie Trice, and Beanie Siegel. “On the album, you are going to hear the vibe that was created in these songs.” A philanthropist, film director, as well as artist/producer, Tone Scott explains that sometimes he has to choose which of his hats to wear, “as an artist, you are competing with the best in the world,” he explains, “But as a man, I am always trying to change history…to create history.”