Legendary Producer Tone Capone Passes Away

The rap world is mourning the death of Tone Capone, who shaped the entire sound of West Coast Hip-Hop from the studio, crafting beats that became the backbone of an era.

The legendary Bay Area producer died on September 12 at age 59, leaving behind a catalog that defined decades of music.

Born Anthony Douglas Gilmour in the Bay, he started as a high school DJ in the 1980s before transitioning to production as DJG in the early 1990s.

His journey from Oakland’s underground to international recognition happened through one track that changed everything.

Working with Mike Marshall from the R&B group Timex Social Club, Capone created the beat and hook that would become the Luniz’s “I Got 5 On It” in 1995.

That single became a top-10 pop hit and one of the most sampled and referenced beats in rap music history.

The track cemented his place in Hip-Hop culture permanently, but it was only the beginning of what he’d accomplish.

Through his connection with Oakland rapper Seagram, Capone linked up with Houston’s Rap-A-Lot Records and got introduced to Scarface through producer Mike Dean.

On Scarface’s 1997 album The Untouchable, Capone worked alongside Mike Dean and N.O. Joe to produce multiple tracks that became classics.

“Mary Jane” flipped a Rick James sample into a staple that still gets played today. “Smile,” featuring one of 2Pac’s final recorded verses, showcased Capone’s ability to craft production that elevated legendary artists to new heights.

Scarface paid tribute to his longtime collaborator, saying: “The dope gone yall.. Thanks for the laughs the jams that pocket the direction the vibe all that shit Tone, you was a cold one bro, we geld like no other (words and music) that’s what we was rest in peace… and every timel think about Cosmo’s name that you gave him the UMA pass out laughing love you bro less.”

Beyond Scarface, Capone’s fingerprints covered the entire Bay Area sound.

He produced for Too Short, Mac Dre, E-40, Celly Cel, Dru Down, 3X Krazy, the Jacka, and countless others who defined the region’s golden era.

His work extended beyond the Bay, reaching Houston with Devin The Dude and Z-Ro, and later with Lloyd Banks, Black Moon, and Benzino.

Capone had been living in Las Vegas since 2021and was retired from the music industry.

No cause of death was immediately revealed.