Independence In Motion: The Lifestyle Antonenow Built At 17

At just 17 years old, AntoneNow has already cemented himself as a trailblazer in the industry, carving out his own lane of experimentation and Independence. Born in Miami, FL and having been raised in South Florida, he represents the mindset that creativity has no limits. AntoneNow is alternative and experimental greatness, an artist that can't be put into a box. He carries himself with a strong sense of responsibility to his community, “I care deeply about the people around me, and I put a lot of energy into building and uplifting my community.”

Music was Antone’s first love. Since he can remember, his family has been extremely music-oriented. His dad was a rapper and member of the Zulu Nation. This was a gateway for Antone as he attended meetings with his dad from a young age, absorbing hip-hop culture and building a foundation that not only shaped his sound but also his respect for the culture itself. The turning point came at 13 when he decided to begin rapping over his own beats which “completely changed everything”, This marked music becoming Antone’s main outlet of creativity as he had full control of what he made, this momentum lead to his breakout track “Luv Me” which became his first song to reach 10k streams and has since grown to nearly 1 million.

Independence has been a core value for Antone since the very beginning of his journey. Entering the industry at such a young age, he was often underestimated. “I was around 15 making beats, a lot of people didn’t take me seriously and just saw me as a kid,” he says. Instead of letting that slow him down, Antone focused on sharpening his craft, putting his head down, and letting the work speak for itself. As his music began to gain traction, people started to take notice, and with that attention came new opportunities. However, it also revealed how easily young artists can be taken advantage of. That reality reinforced the importance of maintaining independence and a tight, trusted circle. “Having your own team that isn’t tied to a label is extremely important to me,” he explains. By surrounding himself with people he trusts and staying involved in every creative and business decision, Antone has protected both his vision and his growth, making independence not just a preference but a necessity.

Sonically, Antone refuses to stay stagnant, he admits to getting bored with sticking to one sound for too long. Boom Bap was his focus at the beginning until he eventually moved away from it after he had explored everything it had to offer him creatively. For Antone, music is about constant discovery, believing that music transcends language and genre; he has a love for blending styles and experimenting freely. Hip hop remains his foundation, but its influence seeps into everything he creates rather than defining unbreakable walls.

Visuals are another creative outlet for the young star, he makes every project with matching visuals, as otherwise it would be incomplete. He wants his visuals to exist as their own form of art, not just an accessory to the music. He builds worlds and characters to show the depth and intention behind everything. His inspiration came from “Artists like Tyler, the Creator, Childish Gambino, and Kanye West showed how powerful that approach can be”. For all future releases, he plans to have a distinct visual style and character.

Antone’s journey has been shaped by independence, resilience, and a passion for music. Every stage of his growth has reinforced his belief in himself and his circle. For Antone, success is not just about the numbers but the milestones and staying true to the vision. In 2026, Antone is preparing for his tour, a larger second installment of his 8608 Fest, and the release of new music, including a potential EP and an album slated for next year. Antone has laid the foundation, now he is focused on growth and expansion. “There will be a heavy focus on visuals, music videos, and live shows”. At the heart of everything is purpose. As his platform grows, he moves forward with clarity and control, staying heavily involved in the creative and business sides of his career. For AntoneNow the next chapter is not about proving himself but continuing to build on a vision he has believed in since the start.