TOC 'The Thug Scholar'

Anthony J. Blackman, aka TOC "The Thug Scholar" was born June 14, 1975 in New York City. After his parents decided to leave New York and move to Mobile Alabama things began to decay in his life. Both parents were alcoholics and his father was very abusive. He started drinking and stealingaround the age of eight. At age eleven Anthony’s father passed away which caused him to start selling drugs and running away from home. His first run-in with the law was at the tender age of ten for breaking and entering.

After committing 1st degree robbery at twelve, young Anthony was well on the way to becoming a career criminal. Soon afterwards crack cocaine became his entire world. This led him to become a member of the infamous “Gangsta Disciples.” After doing time in a serious juvenile offender’s camp he looked for an escape through the Islamic faith which caused him to make a conscious decision to live a better life, but his desire to get high and run the streets was stronger. Anthony was discharged from the juvenile justice system when he turned eighteen but ended up in prison shortly thereafter for burglary where he served two years.


He was released in 1997 and sought employment, but with only a 7th grade education and no job skills, he returned to prison in 1998 on another charge. After his release in 2000 Anthony decided to pursue his dream of becoming the greatest gangster rapper ever. His strongest musical influences were Run DMC, Rakim, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, NWA, 2Pac, Biggie and DMX to name a few. This decision led him to make a life altering change and leave Mobile for Miami Florida in January of 2001 where after an almost fatal overdose he began seeking God. While he was in a hotel room in Hollywood Florida he opened a drawer and pulled out the Bible he found there. He found himself saying “If this Jesus sucka is real, speak to me!” He opened the Bible to Psalms 51 and the verses he found there brought this hardcore man to his knees in tears. On March 9, 20001 Anthony accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Shortly after this he was introduced to a man in the music business, Bryon Williams, CEO of N.F.C. Productions, by Sophie the lady that led Anthony to Christ. This led to him recording his debut CD, “The New Era”, which brought about a promotional tour where he started proclaiming Jesus Christ to everyone whom he came in contact with.

Anthony found himself in the spotlight that started with his appearance on the “Grave Digger” Show in Norcross Georgia and an underground TV station in Atlanta. He also appeared at the “Clamax the Back to School Fest” at Alabama State University., and opened for Ja Rule at the “Sunfest” in West Palm Beach Florida in May of 2001.


His single entitled “Just Us 3” has been getting lots of airplay on radio stations around the country in cities like Detroit Michigan, Memphis Tennessee, Montgomery Alabama, and Miami Florida. Anthony’s techniques of ministering are real, raw and rare. He has performed at countless events such as churches, youth conferences, concerts, jails, colleges and the public school systems. He is an active member of Harvest Fire Worship Center, has a correspondence ministry with prisoners nationwide and is now pursuing and Associates degree in Music Business at Miami Dade College.