Mr. Dapper

The Phenom Cartel was born

Michael Antonio Velazquez (nick named Tony for short) in Brooklyn, NY on July 4th 1989. Having humble beginnings, he stayed there for a few years of his life until moving to Elizabeth, NJ. At the age of 11 he decided to pick up rapping and hasn’t looked back since.

 By the age of 13 he would meet up & start a development deal with a local studio engineer named “E” of Alkatraxx Records. There he would record and drop his first project at the age of 15 entitled “Growing Pains”. His mixtape will gain local and state wide buzz after performances & TV show appearances such as Boston Idol & a popular local broadcasted TV show “Polluted Garden” hosted by Twizz. After a hiatus taken, due to Cartel going to Ft. Dix Military Academy to gain his High school diploma, he teamed back up with Alkatraxx for his sophomore mixtape entitled “Making of a Monsta” Music from this project will also launch a series of shows and promotions. Eventually tracks from this project will be heard by Hiphop legend Doitall from the Lords of The Underground. Through a mutual friendship, platinum recording artist Doitall decided to take Cartel in as his protege. The two later released & worked on several projects such as “Dilla Guerrillas” ( a J Dilla Tribute tape) , “Don’t Open Till Christmas” , “Unsigned on the Grind” , “Mic Check Vol. 10″ and much more. Cartel was building a name for himself in the mixtape circuit. Hosts such as DJ Whoo Kid , DJ Green Lantern, Freeway, & even Doitall himself were just some of the names attached to these classic mixtapes. With other prominent features on “Coast 2 Coast” , “HipHop Lead” , & “Digital Dynasty” things were looking ahead for the young MC. Through clout and a strong co sign from a HipHop staple, he was able to work with platinum selling producers such as Young Guru, Pete Rock, 9th Wonder, and much more.