Thomas Siliato—the rapper best known as “TommyGun”—delivers the catchy fresh rap track, “SHAME,” produced by beatsbybeau. The upbeat single comes from his recent album, The Young Don Part I, which highlights his Italian roots and heritage.
Born in Long Island, New York, and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, TommyGun began making music as a teenager. “I was inspired very quickly to get on the mic,” shares TommyGun, of his early rise. “‘TommyGun’ was a nickname given to me back in middle school. In high school, I started rapping and stuck with it,” he adds.
One of TommyGun’s biggest influences is Mac Miller. “When he died, I took it up a notch,” he says. “I met him at his concert and had dreams of meeting him again and making song with him.” Unfortunately, TommyGun can no longer see that dream be realized after Miller’s passing, but he’s more fueled than ever to be someone Miller would have appreciated.
Gathering inspiration from great rappers and multiple genres from hip hop to jazz to old-school 90s rap, TommyGun delivers a strong, thoughtful sound. While TommyGun prefers 90s rap, he’s not afraid to dabble in what’s popular. “People like a beat more nowadays,” shares the rapper. “I try to mix it up and stay with the times.”
Of his recent album, TommyGun’s single, “SHAME,” has received the most praise. The song is not meant to be a deeper song—it’s designed for having fun.
“What’s funny about this song is I liked the Dallas Cowboys. They lost in the first round of the playoff this year, and I was so heated the way they went out. I went out and made music. It was a disgrace—that’s the first thing I thought of. It’s a damn shame. When I heard the beat, I took it and ran with it,” explains the rapper. “It’s about how hard it is trying to accomplish anything through the grind.”
TommyGun wants his single to remind listeners that things don’t always turn out the way you planned them. “Sometimes, it’s just a shame, but you’ve got to rock with it and bounce back,” he adds. “Everyone’s been through that and can relate.”
Writing music isn’t a process set in stone for TommyGun. Sometimes, he’ll listen to beats until one “speaks” to him. “With ‘SHAME,’ I came up with the chorus first,” tells TommyGun. “Then I picked up on the verses from there, letting out thoughts and feelings to the song. I wrote it all in about an hour.”
In general, songs take TommyGun about two hours to write. This one flowed out naturally in half the time. “I like the ones that come out quick,” he adds. “That’s how I know I was in the pocket—in the zone.”
Fans of TommyGun’s latest album appreciate the flow throughout the record. “They like how I mix it up throughout the album. It’s not the same type of beats/vibe. It’s a mix of everything. There are harder beats, like ‘SHAME.’ Then I finish the album with a love song. It hits all the different parts of your feelings.”
TommyGun’s recent album is part one of a hopefully three-part series. “I’m Italian—Sicilian,” explains TommyGun. “I like old Mafia movies and things like The Godfather. I like how there’s a part one, two, and three. That’s the type of vibe I intend to do.” Another project on the horizon for the musician is his upcoming music video, scheduled for filming at his local San Gennaro festival at the end of the month.
Make sure to stay connected to TommyGun on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.
YouTube for Album, The Young Don Part I
YouTube for “SHAME”
Instagram
