Before the voice, before the performance, before the awards, a magic moment happens when words become poetry, and poetry becomes music. Antonio "A&R" Richardson cannot recall a time when music didn't play a significant role in his life. Influenced at an early age by artists like Ice Cube and KRS-One, A&R began writing at age nine, and hasn't put the pen down since. Today, he is a successful entertainer. His resume includes accomplishments like writing two at-bat songs for Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer, performing in front of thousands at both the Target Center and Metrodome in Minneapolis, and being cast in USA Network's Burn Notice, Warner Bros.' Contagion, DreamWorks Film's Transformers 3 and the Penumbra Theatre's Amen Corner on stage at the Guthrie in Minneapolis. As an independent artist he has built an international fan base and garnered radio play in numerous major markets.
2005
- Debut single “So Fresh” premiered on 90.3 The Flavor in Tallahassee, FL; V103 Atlanta, GA; and 104.1 St. Louis, MO.
2006
- Co-Founded Minnesota P.L.A.Y., a non-profit organization
2007
- “All Eyes On Me 2007” Hosted By: Rahki Mixtape Released
- Became the first hip-hop artist to ever headline a performance at the Centennial Showboat Theatre.
2008
- Joe Mauer Theme Song Premiere in The Metrodome to 50,000 Fans (first hip-hop artist to create at-bat theme song for MLB Player).
- Premiere of two CBS 12x30 ft billboards on Pascal & University avenue in St. Paul, MN (first hip-hop artist to strike media deal with CBS)
- Became the first hip-hop artist to ever perform at the James J. Hill Mansion
- Featured in ESPN The Magazine
- Appeared on WCCO’s Mark Rosen Sports Show (first ever hip-hop artist to perform on the show)
- “Whatchu Wanna Do” & “Joe Mauer Theme Song” premiere on 96.3 B96.
2009
- Featured in Joe Mauer interview with Entertainment Weekly
- Appeared on FSN Network “Fight Night” special performance drew in over 2 Million Viewers. (Cerresso Fort entrance performance)
- Premiere of CBS 12x30 ft Billboard with Cerresso Fort and A&R
- Featured in Minneapolis Star Tribune
- Became a spokesman for Global Graves Disease Foundation
- Co-Star in Target Flip Cam Commercial
- Featured on the front page of The St. Paul Pioneer Press
- Cover Story of The Charlotte Post (N.C.)
- “Bottom To The Top” premiered on 89.9 KMOJ
- Target Center (Minn.) performance (over 7,000 in attendance)
- MLB.com interview with world renown Kelly Theiser
2010
- “Joe Mauer 09” released on iTunes in U.S., Japan, United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, and Canada.
- Performed at historic First Avenue for Twin Cities Hip-Hop Awards (award nominated)
- Featured in The New York Times in a health cover story
- “Girlfriend, Boyfriend” premiered on KCCA “Mic Flex Show” Los Angeles, Calif.
- Appeared in USA Network’s “Burn Notice”
- “Girlfriend, Boyfriend” released on iTunes in 7 countries.
- Became first hip-hop artist to perform at TCF Bank Stadium (Boys and Girls Club “Kids in the City” event with Minnesota Twins shortstop Michael Cuddyer)
- Cast to Appear in DreamWorks Film "Transformers 3" Directed By Michael Bay
- Debut album "History (His-Story)" released online worldwide.
2011
- M.F.M.B. (Move Forward or Move Back) release party at Studiiyo 23
- "Cool Is Where I Live" Mixtape release
- Launch of clothing line, Busy Little Beavers
2012
- Cast in the Penumbra Theatre's production of the Amen Corner, on stage at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis
- "Laid Back" single featuring Tek released
- Featured in Jenisis Magazine
- "Francis Albert" EP released
- Cast in "Somewhere The Sun Is" for the MN Fringe Festival
- Cast in "Hitchhiker" a short film, and named Music Supervisor for the film
- Cast in Appomattox at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis
- Adidas/Footlocker commercial
2013
FILM/TV
Burn Notice Season 4, Episode 12: Guilty as Charged
Burn Notice Season 4, Episode 16: Dead or Alive
Production: USA Network
Contagion
Production: Double Feature Films
Transformers 3
Production: DreamWorks Films
Mark Rosen Show
Production: CBS/WCCO
Fight Night
Production: Fox Sports Network (FSN)
COMMERCIALS
FlipCam
Production: Target Corporation
Adidas/Footlocker
Production: BBDO NYC
THEATER
Amen Corner, Penumbra Theatre at the Guthrie
Appomattox, Guthrie Theater
Featured Publications
ESPN The Magazine (2008)
Entertainment Weekly (2009)
Star Tribune (Minn.) (2009)
MLB.com (2009)
New York Times (2010)
