Tom Francis (rapper)
Tom Francis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Thomas Douglas Francis MacDonald February 17, 1995 Napier |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Citizenship | New Zealand |
| Alma mater | Napier Boys High School |
| Occupation | Rapper |
| Organization |
|
| Height | 182 cm (6 ft 0 in) |
| Website | tom-francis |
Thomas Douglas Francis MacDonald (born February 17, 1995) popularly known by his stage name Tom Francis is a New Zealand born rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, actor, and entrepreneur. Francis has been regarded as one of the most influential up-and-coming hip hop artists in New Zealand who is best known for his albums “Underestimated”, “The Follow Up” and “4 Corner Death Stare” as well as notable singles such as “Lifestyle” Featuring Snoop Dogg, What I’m Made for Featuring Royce Da 5’9 and IJWP. He is also the founder and CEO of record label Black Market Enterprise.[1][2][3]
Francis is an award-winning artist who has notably contributed to creating a versatile music production environment gaining recognition for his eclectic style. Since his debut in the music industry, Francis has worked on several featured projects with multiple prolific names including Snoop Dogg, Joyner Lucas, Royce Da 5’9, Twista, King Los, Dizzy Wright, Neon Hitch, 808 Mafia, Daz Dillinger, Mad Mike, Ash Riser, Jean Deaux, J Tek, Fortwoe, Mike Bozzi of Bernie Grundman Mastering, DJ Afterthought, Sid Diamond, Wash, Demrick, OnCue, Colin Hay of (Men At Work), Matt Alonzo, Traffic, T.F and more.[4][5][6]
Francis has been featured in many major media outlets for his accomplishments and music such as World Star Hip Hop,The Hype Magazine, The Source, Hot New Hip Hop, Kazi Magazine, M2, Prove Magazine, and other major publications.[7][8]
Early life and education
Tom Francis was born on February 17, 1995, in Napier. He dropped out his highschool education at 15 from Napier Boys High School to pursue working in the forestry industry. While growing up, Francis was highly influenced by the industry giants Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Drake, Kanye West, Jay Z, Nipsey Hussle, Meek Mill, Curren$y, Pusha T, T.I, ACDC, Green Day, Fleetwood Mac, Jeremih, Future, Nate Dogg and The Weeknd.
Career
Tom Francis started his career in 2016 with the release of his debut album Underestimated that quickly gained high recognition, which resulted in him becoming one of the fastest-growing rappers from New Zealand. When Francis topped Drake's "Views' album on the New Zealand charts, he secured a strong position for himself in the hip-hop scene along with kickstarting his international career.[9]
Soon after gaining substantial recognition, Francis began releasing singles with several well-known artists such as Royce Da 5'9 on “What I’m made for, Dizzy Wright on “Underestimated” and Joyner Lucas & Demrick on “What’s It All Worth”.[10][11]
Having made such a significant impact not only his name in New Zealand but also major recognition as an artist globally, Tom Francis in 2017 received a co-sign from Snoop Dogg and dropped his 2nd project “The Follow Up which was produced in Paramount recording studios, Los Angeles, California. From 2016 Tom Francis was signed with the Tenfold agency, but after a year, decided to continue his career as an independent artist under his own label Black Market Enterprise.[12][13][14]
Francis released the single "Lifestyle" in 2019, which featured Snoop Dogg and was produced at Chalice Studios in Los Angeles, California. This was the first time an artist from Australasia had ever worked directly with Snoop Dogg. World Star Hip Hop exclusively published the video for "Lifestyle" on Youtube and WorldStarHipHop.com. Francis went on to tour 23 shows across New Zealand after this release.[15][16]
Later that year, on July 4th 2019, Francis released his third album, “4 Corner Death Stare,” which featured a guest appearance from DPG's Daz Dillinger on track #2, “Who Want It.” Francis released his single "Guest List" in 2020, along with a video shot and created on the Greek Islands of Santorini. Tom Francis has set a release date for his new single, "DANGEROUS," October 1st 2021.[17]
Throughout his career, Tom Francis has completed several musical tours which include Underestimated Tour (2016), Hollywood Tour (2017), Labour Weekend Tour (2017), Make It Snow Tour (2019), and Lifestyle Tour (2019) along with as becoming a support act for the Rittz Top Of The Line Tour Australia/New Zealand (2016) and Tyga Auckland, New Zealand, Trusts Arena (2019). He has also been a headliner or featured artist at multiple music festivals - Bay Dreams (2017), Northern Bass (2017), Snow & Behold (2017), and Base Camp (2018/2019).
Some of the names with whom Francis has worked with are Joyner Lucas, Mike Bozzi, Shae Sterling, Matt Alonzo, Colin Hay (Men At Work), Daz Dillinger, Wash, Ash Riser, Dizzy Wright, Oncue, Demrick, Sid Diamond, Rory Noble, Spenda C, Mikey Mayz, 10A, Floko Beats, 808 Mafia, Iris, Traffic, DJ Afterthought, J Rab, KJ Conteh, Tyler Thomas, Jean Deaux, J.Tek, Ongaud, Alon Eida, Tom Kahre, Mike Bozzi of Bernie Grundman, and others.[18]
Discography
| S.No. | Title | Year | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Go Bang | 2015 | Single |
| 2 | Steve No More Featuring On Cue | 2015 | Single |
| 3 | What’s It All Worth Featuring Joyner Lucas & Demrick | 2016 | Single |
| 4 | Who’s Real? | 2016 | Single |
| 5 | IJWP Featuring Sid Diamond | 2016 | Single |
| 6 | OTR | 2016 | Single |
| 7 | Underestimated Featuring Dizzy Wright | 2016 | Single |
| 8 | Underestimated | 2016 | Album (15 Songs) |
| 9 | Hollywood | 2017 | Single |
| 10 | What I’m made for Featuring Royce Da 5’9 & Tyler Thomas | 2017 | Single |
| 11 | The Follow Up | 2018 | Album (10 Songs) |
| 12 | Bow Wow Challenge | 2018 | Single |
| 13 | 4 Corner Death Stare | 2019 | Album (10 Songs) |
| 14 | Lifestyle Featuring Snoop Dogg | 2019 | Single |
| 15 | Who Want It Featuring Daz Dillinger & MF | 2019 | Single |
| 16 | Rari | 2019 | Single |
| 17 | Melrose | 2019 | Single |
| 18 | Same Old | 2019 | Single |
| 19 | What They On | 2019 | Single |
| 20 | No Mercy | 2019 | Single |
| 21 | Guest List | 2020 | Single |
| 22 | DANGEROUS | 2021 | Single |
Awards and nominations
- John Lennon SongWriting Award (2016)
- Young New Zealander Of The Year Semi-Finalist (2018)
In the media
References
- ↑ "Future Looks Bright for Rap Star Tom Francis – Prove Magazine". provemagazine.com. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ Allah, Sha Be (17 June 2021). "The Source |International Spotlight: New Zealand's Tom Francis". The Source. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ Saw, Yadana (28 February 2019). "New Zealander makes music with hip hop hero". RNZ. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ "Tom Francis". Spotify. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ "Tom Francis on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ "ONES TO WATCH: TOM FRANCIS". Vents Magazine. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ "Meet Our New Favourite Rapper: Tom Francis". The Hype Magazine. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ "Hawke's Bay rapper tops Drake in hip-hop album charts". Stuff. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ "Tom Francis' Eyes On the Prize". KAZI. MAGAZINE. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ "Meet the Fast Rising Iconic New Zealand Rapper – Tom Francis – MAXED HIPHOP". maxedhiphop.com. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ "Tom Francis, the New Zealand Hip-Hop Prodigy on the Rise". Home of Hip Hop Videos & Rap Music, News, Video, Mixtapes & more. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ "Tom Francis Feat. Snoop Dogg - Lifestyle | Video". WORLDSTARHIPHOP. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ "Snoop Dogg hangs out with Kiwi rapper, Tom Francis". Mai FM. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ "Tom Francis Feat. Snoop Dogg "Lifestyle" (WSHH Exclusive - Official Music Video)". THE WORLD HOUR. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ "Tom Francis On Working With Snoop Dogg, Who Will Appear On His Next Album, And The Best Spot To Hit In LA". HIT UP ANGE. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ "Hawkes Bay's Tom Francis + Snoop Dogg Drop Single 'Lifestyle'". UnderTheRadarNZ. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ "Verified: All Eyes Set on Rapper Tom Francis". The Clout Magazine. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ↑ "Rap Artist Tom Francis On the Rise – Tom Francis". GenzHipHop. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.