Long Beach, CA: Rapper. Skateboarder. Merchandising entrepreneur. Positive role model for inner city kids. Young hip-hop artist HERO wears many hats. And now he is releasing his brand new video for his latest single, “Cut the Check.” The song has a deeply personal meaning to HERO, who is experiencing financial discrepancies with his former label NCredible and its president, Nick Cannon. “’Cut the Check’ is about being a hardworking artist and trying to take my brand to the next level,” HERO explains. “I was inspired to write this song by my telling my label to ‘cut the check’ and join the wave!” HERO’s position is that he is owed quite a large sum for various musical and commercial projects. It’s upbeat, catchy beats are accompanied with super straight-up lyrics: “I work hard I don't sweat/shut up broke boy cut the check/Ain’t no flexing on nobody in my set/ so when I pull up pull up cut the check.”
HERO (born Antonio Anderson) grew up on the rougher side of town in Long Beach, CA, amongst gangs, drugs and other obstacles. Music was always his main escape from that reality. By the age of 11 years-old, HERO had already decided to become a rapper, and he recorded his first professional studio session at age 12. His main musical influences were Snoop Dogg, Pharrell Williams, Techn9ne and Warren G. “All of those artists are a reflection of my character,” he reveals. “ Snoop and I are both from the same community in Long Beach…he taught me how to recreate myself and all about career longevity. Pharrell Williams showed me how to embrace being different as a skater or performer, and how to be creative with no boundaries. Techn9ne inspired me to start the I AM HERO Tour and become an independent powerhouse brand and invest in my dream. Warren G is somebody that always helps me to remember to stay humble in this hip-hop game.”
Those musical influences helped HERO form his own unique sound, which landed him a spot on Nick Cannon and Quincy “QD3” Jones III’s hotly-tipped show on Nickelodeon, “Nick Cannon’s Star Camp,” which followed eight members of a youth supergroup, handpicked by Cannon, as they literally learned to be musical stars. This led to a recording contract in 2011 with Cannon’s Ncredible label. In 2012, he formed a band called The PsychWardDruggies (“PWD”). Live performances with PWD include multiple appearances at the Dubb Car Shows (2013/2014), SXSW (2013/2014), Wild N’ Out and a 70+ show tour with Tech N9ne called The Independent Grind Tour. Additionally, HERO is the founder of I AM H.E.R.O (Helping. Everyone. Recognize. Opportunities), and is the CEO of his own branding company, CREEZ. The multi-city I AM HERO Tour was a music and skateboarding tour that also focused on helping the inner city community.
HERO may be owed money, but he won’t let that…or anything else…stop him from moving ever forward with his vision. Stay tuned for news of upcoming musical releases and live shows. And let’s hope this new video gets the powers that be to “cut the check!”
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzefQh4rLwwgTWVYSzJFSklLLVE/view
