| Tabi Bonney | |
| Background: | solo_singer |
| Birth Name: | Tabiabuè Bonney |
| Alias: | Tabi Bonney |
| Origin: | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Genre: | Hip hop |
| Label: | DD172, BluRoc, EMI |
Tabiabuè Bonney, better known as Tabi Bonney, is a Togo-born, Washington, D.C.–based rapper. He is the son of Itadi Bonney, an afro-funk musician popular during the 1970s in Togo and West Africa.[1] Bonney achieved recognition in the Washington metro area with his radio singles "The Pocket" and "Doin It," which featured Raheem DeVaughn. Bonney started a clothing line called Bonney Runway; he has also directed and produced music videos for several artists including friend and fellow D.C.-associated rapper Wale.
Bonney was born in Lomé, Togo, to musician Itadi Bonney and Jo, a teacher from Washington, D.C. who had been stationed in Lomé through the Peace Corps.[2] Political turmoil in Togo forced the Bonneys to flee the country, and they eventually settled in D.C. Bonney's parents did not wish for him to become a musician. They insisted that he attend college, and he enrolled at Florida A&M University to study pre-med. He earned a Master's degree in biology with plans to become a doctor, but pursued other paths after he realized his heart wasn't in it. He was a science teacher at Roosevelt High School in Petworth, Washington, D.C., for two years after college.
While in college, Bonney and friend Haziq Ali formed a group called Organized Rhyme. The group opened for artists including LL Cool J, Cam'ron, and OutKast.[3] In 2006, Bonney had a regional breakout hit with "The Pocket," his first single from A Fly Guy's Theme.[4]
In 2011, Bonney released The Summer Years, his fourth studio album, with songs sampling his father's music and featuring Terri Walker and Murs.[5]
See main article: Tabi Bonney discography.