Tony Wilkins, general manager for KDS Studios (once known as Transcontinental ), President A&R for KDS record company, thinks that Orlando doesn’t get the roper recognition it deserves because “people seem to get hot, and then leave Orlando,” says Tony. A veteran in the music industry, Tony got his foot in the door by writing a column in his mentors Jack Gibson’s magazine called “Jack the Rapper.” His column, “Hip Hop Minute,” led him to meet and make friends with the likes of Biggie, 2Pac, Suge Knight, R Kelly, Salt n Pepa, Ice Cube, Warren G and P. Diddy who also had a column in the magazine before getting signed to Arista and starting the careers of Craig Mack and B.I.G. In 1994, Jack’s grandson that went by the name of Rip, decided he wanted to get in the music business. With Jack having a lot of pull in the industry, they all put together a strong team and formed “Ripping records.’ Their first act – The 69 Boyz hit #1 on the Billboard charts with their smash hit “Tootsie Roll.” He album went on to selling over 2 million copies and they appeared on Jay Leno, Oprah, and Arsenio Hall shows- just to name a few. “We did everything out of a small office on Tampa and Colonial, and people couldn’t believe that it was all coming out of Orlando,” says Tony, who also managed Magic Mike for 10 years. “Magic Mike is the only rapper ever to have 4 albums on the #1 Billboard spot at the same time. Nobody has ever done that,” adds Tony with a sincere look of accomplishment in his eyes.
Tony believes that Florida is where it’s at right now, and by hearing what KDS has on its agenda it seems like a hard statement to combat. KDS consists of Tony Wilkins, Steve Ruff, and Ed Howie. Steve Ruff , who own Ruffhouse productions and movies, as well as Kidsational Inc. that does kids toys and games and is also a financial investor that was he #2 guy for IMG financial. Ed Howie handles all of the financials at KDS and used to be the CEO of Motorola. “Nobody thought we could do it,” says Tony with respects to purchasing Orlando’s premier recording facility, “ but we have a strong team and put together an offer that the bank couldn’t refuse!”
KDS is now home to The Runners, Nasty Beatmakers, Precise, and Phil for Real just to name a few. They have a rock group called ‘Eve to Adam’ from Sarasota who tour with Chris Daughtry, a rap artist who is no stranger to Orlando named BEDO that “is going to be a phenomenal artist,” shares Tony, who is scheduled to drop in 2008. KDS is also developing a reality show called ‘The Studio,” and will be showing the world how music is done from start to finish. “Instead of just showing people a competition, we are going to share with the world all the stuff that goes into making an artist,” says Tony.
“I want to help build Orlando up and be the next ATL! Keep doing what you’re doing and don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do It. If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody will!” Those were the last words Mr. tony Wilkins left us with before having to close out our interview and get back to his busy day.
For more info on Tony Wilkins, or KDS Studios and music group, you can call 407.855.5377 or email [email protected] . If you got that fire, you can send demos to 7566 southland blvd suite 107 Orlando, Fl 32809 and be sure to mention where you got their info! – CG