Anthony Fantano is an American music critic and internet personality who runs The Needle Drop, a YouTube channel with a tie-in website and Twitch streaming channel. He is known for his reviews of albums and songs from various genres, as well as his commentary on music-related topics. He has been dubbed “The Internet’s Busiest Music Nerd” and has over 2.8 million subscribers on YouTube.
Background and Education
Fantano was born on October 28, 1985, in Wolcott, Connecticut. He is of Sicilian descent and his father, Ken Fantano, was a professional power lifter. He became interested in politics and music at a young age, influenced by the punk rock singer Jello Biafra, former lead singer of the band Dead Kennedys.
He pursued a degree in liberal studies at Southern Connecticut State University, where he worked as a music director for the college radio station. He graduated in 2008 and started working at Connecticut Public Radio (WNPR), where he hosted The Needle Drop podcast.
Career and Achievements
Fantano launched The Needle Drop website in 2007, where he posted written reviews of music. He later shifted to video reviews on YouTube in 2009, starting with a review of Jay Reatard’s record. He followed a numerical rating system ranging from 0 to 10, and has given a perfect 10 score to only three albums so far: The Money Store by Death Grips, To Be Kind by Swans, and To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar.
He gained popularity and recognition for his honest and insightful reviews, as well as his humorous and quirky personality. He won the YouTube On The Rise contest in September 2011 and the MTV O Music Awards for Beyond the Blog in October 2011. He has also interviewed several musicians and celebrities, such as Tyler, the Creator, Hopsin, Logic, Lil B, and Cal Chuchesta, his alter ego.
He diversified his content to include weekly track roundups, livestreamed Q&As, and video think-pieces alongside his album reviews. He also runs a second YouTube channel, fantano, where he talks about music with guests and conducts interviews. He also had another YouTube channel, thatistheplan, where he reviewed memes and internet culture, but it was deleted in 2017 after a controversy involving The Fader magazine, which accused him of promoting alt-right sentiments.
Personal Life and Divorce
Fantano married Dominique Boxley in 2009. They met online and bonded over their love for music. They lived together in Middletown, Connecticut, with their dog, Bubbles.
However, in 2024, rumors of their divorce started to circulate on the internet. Neither Fantano nor Dominique confirmed or denied the rumors, but some fans speculated that they had separated based on their social media posts and Fantano’s absence of his wedding ring in some of his videos.
The reasons for their possible divorce are unknown, but some fans suggested that it could be due to their busy schedules, different interests, or personal issues. Some fans also expressed their support and respect for their privacy.
Conclusion
Anthony Fantano is one of the most influential and popular music critics on the internet. Anthony Fantano is an American music critic and internet personality who runs The Needle Drop, a YouTube channel with a tie-in website and Twitch streaming channel. He is known for his reviews of albums and songs from various genres, as well as his commentary on music-related topics.
He has built a loyal fanbase and a successful career with his passion and knowledge for music. He has also faced some challenges and controversies, such as his alleged divorce from his wife, Dominique. He continues to create content and share his opinions on music, as well as other topics, with his audience. He is a unique and inspiring figure in the online music community.