Antonio Hueber, aka Tony Boy, is 25 years old and has a clear mission: to tell his world with authenticity. If before he was just a kid who grew up on bread and trap, now he is a young adult who knows where he wants to go.
His name is no longer a distant echo, but a constant presence among the protagonists of the Italian rap scene, with enormous expectations on his shoulders. And expectations, as we know, are a double-edged sword.
With “Going Hard 3”, Tony closes an important cycle: the trilogy of his mixtapes, a sort of logbook that traces his artistic journey. Preceded by a series of singles – Leanin', Breath, Time Heals, Circle – the project presents itself as a manifesto of its growth. And there is an international gem: “ETC”, created with Nardo Wick, demonstrates how Tony is starting to dialogue with a broader scene, without losing his essence.
The twenty tracks of the mixtape are a mix of confirmations and surprises. The collaborations are spot on and strategic: Shiva, Kid Yugi, Frah Quintale, Anna, Artie 5ive, and Capo Plaza are not there by chance. Each featuring adds a piece to the project's mosaic, without stealing the show from the protagonist. It's a subtle balance, but one that works here.
The strong point? Once again it's the lyrics. Tony Boy has refined his writing: the bars are sharp, personal, and manage to convey a disarming honesty. There is a narrative maturity that is perceived in every piece, even in the most intimate moments. “Going Hard 3” is an open-hearted portrait, between reflections and self-analysis, without ever slipping into the banal.
From a musical point of view. The album travels between dark beats, saturated with bass and slowed down, some innovative, others extremely heartfelt and obvious.
Ditto the vocal approach. Exaggerated use of autotune and the automatisms and stylistic features typical of trap without a real desire for evolution.
Perhaps this “Going Hard 3” lacks the expected turning point towards a more pop horizon (an evolutionary example could be Room) but perhaps it lies precisely in the essence of being a mixtape which limits the exploration of new territories.
A project that consolidates Tony Boy's path, without distorting it. It is the final chapter of a trilogy that defined him, but also a bridge to the future. The question now is: what will be the next step?
TO LISTEN NOW
Forgiveness – For you I leave the party – I can never get enough
TO BE SKIPPED IMMEDIATELY
I didn't feel like skipping anything.
SCORE: 6.75
01 – Bnb life – Rating 6.75
02 – Forgiveness (Ft. Shiva) – Rating 7.00
03 – Every day – Rating 6.25
04 – Time heals – Rating 6.25
05 – I don't know if (Ft. Kid Yugi) – Rating 6.75
06 – For you I leave the party (Ft. Artie 5ive) – Rating 7.00
07 – Leanin – Rating 6.25
08 – Smoke signals – Rating 6.25
09 – Automatically – Rating 7.00
10 – Circle – Rating 6.25
11 – Until tomorrow – Rating 6.50
12 – Hurry up – Rating 6.50
13 – It's never enough for me (Ft. Capo Plaza & Frah Quintale) – Rating 7.00
14 – Until dawn – Rating 6.25
15 – Etc (Ft. Nardo Wick) – Rating 6.25
16 – Work
17 – Codeine (Ft. ANNA) – Rating 6.50
18 – Room – Rating 6.75
19 – Breath – Rating 6.50
20 – Total black Rating 6.50
