Antoni Hill / Ex-O Anyone who thinks musicians cannot also be aspiring businessmen has not met Antoni Hill. Originally from Atlanta, Hill moved to Topeka when he was a kindergartner. Just a few years later, when he was 9, a relative got him interested in music and opened a new way of life to him. “When I was a kid I was doing the street-life thing, getting into trouble here and there. But I always wanted to find a way out of that life,” says Hill. “Once I really started taking music seriously I decided to go to college. I took business classes to learn as much about the industry as possible.” For Hill, business advances music and music advances life. “Music, and in particular hiphop, is a way for people to make business for themselves. It’s also a way to express anger or love or peace. It’s a gift from God.” Unlike many young musicians who hope to get signed by a major label, Hill—who performs and releases music as Ex-O— wants to go the opposite route. “I aspire to be an unsigned, independent artist. And I want to be based locally.” Hill is realistic about his goals. “We come from a little town, so in order to be heard you really have to take this art seriously.” And for Hill, performing is the key to perfecting his gift. “It takes a lot of courage to go out on stage and do a show. It’s a possibility you could be booed off stage. But if that happens, you just have to get back up, keep going. Next time you’re on that stage—rock the joint!”
TOPEKAMAGAZINE
Winter ’ 13
21