Tony M.

Who is Tony M.?

Tony M. is a rapper best known as a member of Prince's band, The New Power Generation. Mosley began his association with Prince as an extra in the film Purple Rain. He can be seen dancing with Kirk Johnson and Damon Dickson during various performances at the First Avenue club. The trio continued to associate with Prince over the years, dancing as a group in the music videos for "Glam Slam" and with the band Madhouse. Around the time of the Graffiti Bridge, Prince recruited the trio as a dance group called the "Gameboyz" for the film and his touring band.

During soundchecks, Mosley would rap while testing the microphone. Prince observed this and began to allow Mosely to gradually add his raps into live performances. Believing that rap would benefit his "street" credibility with his declining black audience, Prince decided to elevate Mosely's position in the group. Mosley provided a rap on a remix for the "New Power Generation" maxi-single in 1990. Apparently satisfied with the results, Prince would allow Mosely to write raps for a good portion of the album Diamonds and Pearls. Indeed, the album was more than half rap during an early cut.