South Philly Review

Tuesday, Tony Enos was set to host the release party for his debut CD, but with the recent devastation in Haiti, the Whitman resident put the celebration on hold.

“Well, you know what? I can always reschedule the CD-release party,” Enos, who performed four songs Tuesday including his new single, “Livin’ for the Weekend,” said. “These folks need help now.”

The 25-year-old has raised a few hundred dollars for the country still reeling from last month’s 7.0 earthquake from the Jan. 26 sales of his single, “Did It Rite,” off his same-named album available now on iTunes and CD Baby. That number jumped to about $1,000 after hosting the fundraiser at Q Lounge, 1234 Locust St., with the American Red Cross on hand to accept donations.

The resident of Third and Durfor streets has been dancing and singing around his neighborhood and along the East Coast since he was a teen. He wrote the 13 tracks for his debut CD, which was released by his own record label, lil’ T Entertainment.

Looking out for others in need is nothing new for Enos. He founded a charitable foundation, “The Tony Enos — Our Lady of Fatima and Our Lord Foundations for HIV and AIDS,” in 2008 to bring awareness and raise funds for HIV and AIDS. He will donate 25 cents from each album sale or download and will add a portion of tour sales toward the foundation.

Enos promised himself at a young age he would contribute to that health-crisis cause, along with cancer research and domestic abuse, two issues he hopes to devote money to in the future since he knew so many affected by them, he said.

Even with everything on his plate, he has managed to balance his interests and endeavors, including an upcoming women’s fashion line that he hopes to launch within the next two years. He described it as “a really glamorous, sexy, urban brand,” will branch off his brand with lil’ T Fashions.

His motivation comes from Diana Ross, who he heard sing for the first time at age 2.

“My parents had brought home an old Diana Ross concert from 1979 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas,” the entertainer, who grew up at Fifth and Porter streets, said. “I just sat there like, ‘wow,’ and that’s when I decided that’s what I want to do.”

Multitalented Ross and Janet Jackson were Enos’ biggest inspirations, but his musical abilities were not without legacy. Grandfather Al Lance was part of the doo-wop group Nostalgia Five, which recorded for Columbia Records in the 1960s, and parents Anthony and Lisa also raised his 15-year-old sister, Vienna, to explore her talents. The High School for Creative And Performing Arts, 901 S. Broad St., student has one talent Enos wishes he had: “She blows me away with the way she plays by ear,” he said of his little sister’s piano and guitar playing abilities. “I wish I could do that. That would be so much more efficient.”

After attending John H. Taggart School, 400 Porter St., Enos moved on to North Philadelphia’s Franklin Arts Center, where Enos, a theater arts major, landed his first professional gig at 14 as a backup dancer for techno-singer Marquis, who went solo after singing backup for Amy Grant.

Telling the singer he was 18 opened doors to dancing in local clubs, as well as up and down the East Coast. It’s a talent still present in his hip-hop inspired stage performances.

“There’s that constant element of dance,” he said. “I’d bore myself to tears if I just stood there and sang.”

At 16, he signed his first record contract with a local company, although it didn’t turn out as he had planned.

“That was a really messy situation and that put a halt on things for three years,” he said of breaking his contract, which resulted in not being able to record for that duration.

During his hiatus, Enos performed at every local festival he could, including the Methodist Hospital Talent Show and Pride Fest. Then he embarked on forming his own label in ’06 as a launching pad for his work and, hopefully, for local artists in the future, he said.

“The reason I started is because I got sick of waiting for my opportunity to come my way, so I decided to make my own,” he said.

He had a clear vision of what he wanted and sought to use his own creativity to pen songs, an opportunity he was not given when he started out.