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Tone gained recognition as a member of the CT based NEST Cliq, under the name Ill Shorty. Known best for his gritty, multisyllabic and aggressive lyrics, he quickly graced many mixtapes, including those of his friend and producer, DJ Stress.

The Cliq splintered a few years later, and Tone (with friend 30Pak) founded the Nuff Said Entertainment record label in Hartford, CT. A maxi-single titled "Fantastik 4" was released under the group name Tha I.G.'s (with Jack Nickelz, Casino-Dialz and Maci Mas) to rave reviews, prompting the release of the compilation "1999 + Tax" in late 1999, and the solo effort "Unorthodox 2.0" (as Ill Stout) in early 2001.

Amid financial difficulties and creative differences, Tone and 30Pak dissolved the label. 30Pak returned to private ventures, while Tone continued in the music realm. A planned launch of a new "Gritty Entertainment Group" failed to materialize as Tone grew tired of managing egos as well as day to day operations of a record label.

In 2003, Tone (as DJ Stoutamire) joined with emcees Drifta and Justus to form O.B.L. (Official Big League). The newly minted group swiftly attracted the attention of indie label Urban Ikon. In 2004 the album "Dirt-Gravel-Grime" was released, both digitally, and distributed by Delvian Records. Internal conflicts within the group, and with the record label led to the disbanding of the group, and termination of the recording contract. Personal issues, and the deaths of his uncles Ben and Tony within months of each other in 2005 took a heavy toll, prompting a 2 year hiatus from music.

In 2007, having taken the name Tony Benjaminz in honor of his late uncles (the "y" was soon replaced with an "e" to avoid confusion with the reggae singer and former football player), Tone returned to making music. The mixtape "Stress, Faith, The Game & The Pen" was supposed to be a full length album and Tone's return to the hip hop scene, but a creative shift in direction left the project shelved, then ultimately released as a mixtape. It is often referred to as the "album before the album".

Tone released "Same Game, No Pressure" on August 3, 2009 via the Tunecore label. This is significant in the respect that the album was funded, recorded, mixed and released independently, without a recording contract. Tone has been quoted as saying that "all the things that were done for us, and we were charged for, we've already been doing ourselves for years. No more hustling backwards."

Tone is also a member of the musical collective known as D.O.S. (Defenders of the Old School), along with many of his former NEST Cliq members and affiliates.

Recently, Tone has once again embraced his DJ roots, and is in the process of recording a series of mixtapes, as well as an instrumental album. Another full length album is in the works, tentatively titled "Terminal Degree".. with a planned release date of Spring 2010.

Works:

1998 - "Fantastik 4" (with Tha I.G.'s)

1999 - "1999+tax" (Compilation with group NSE)

2001 - "Unorthodox 2.0" (released as Ill Stout)

2004 - "Dirt-Gravel-Grime" (As member and producer of Official Big League)

2008 - "Winchesta Heat: Stress, Faith, The Game & The Pen" (mix cd and download)

2009 - "Same Game, No Pressure" (digital release)

2010 - "Terminal Degree" (tentative)

Production credits include:

U.N.I.T., Casino-Dialz, Kinkaide Da Bully, Krimson Dawn, O.B.L., Abiss, Powder, H-Bomb, Lex Boogz, DJ Stress, Rockoleone, Sinis, SoAuthentic, Maham, Myk Fevah, Jack Nickelz, AK Serious, Mr. Council, Solo, International H., Del Negro, etc.

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