"Agony" by Lil Tony - Rhetorical Analysis

"Agony " by Lil Tony

Nineteen-year-old rapper from the Westside of Atlanta, who emerged during the COVID quarantines, released his first song in 2020, recording on his phone. Growing up in the gang violence-riddled streets of Atlanta, he has learned many lessons and narrates his experiences through music. Many people do not pay attention to the lyrics of his songs due to the rap style, but when you take a moment to listen closely, you can find deeper themes behind the simpler lyrics. In an interview, Tony states that as a young Black man in Atlanta, he needed to be smart to stay alive. Struggling at a young age, Tony witnessed a lot of violence, but rather than focusing on that, he concentrated on making money. Although he has always had strong confidence and self-motivation, his father played a significant role in guiding him in the right direction. Tony knew he had to become rich before leaving his parents' house. His community described him as a 'hustler' who made money in any way he could, but when he started rappng, he was driven away from dangerous and irresponsible activities; he knew rapping was the right path for him.

Rapper Lil Tony recorded this song in February of this year. In "Agony," he references his firsthand involvement in gang violence and the consequences that come with it. Lil Tony listeners are mostly teens and young adults who appreciate rap or hip-hop music. Specifically, this includes young men who have been in similar situations as him, who have been surrounded by gang influence and those who have found their outlet in music, particularly rap, a style that has been utilized by the Black youth to share their troubles and eventually finding success in their efforts. Tony wrote this song in times of increasing gang related deaths, places, such as Atlanta are filled with young teens finding a community or second family in gangs. Lil Tony is expressing that there are consequences associated with being involved in such activities, firsthand he has dealt with the legal system, which he emphasizes in "Agony" and the tragic loss of many close friends. To conclude, Tony uses his rap style to easily access the youth, influencing them to make better choices.