FIVE QUESTIONS WITH RAPPER ANTHONY "THE DEMON" HALEY

Anthony “The Demon” Haley is a Hamilton rapper, musician, producer, artist, designer, muralist, and show promoter. When he’s not promoting DIY hip-hop shows in support of the Hamilton rap community, you can find him booking and running shows for Art Battle. In his home town of  Hamilton, Ontario, he’s become one of the most fearless creators the city has to offer. Thinking for himself, always adapting and continuously striving for anew challenge, Anthony has definitely earned his stripes by taking the road less traveled. 

You can catch Anthony Haley live in support of his new record "Wow! You're an Artist?" on October 28th performing at ILLSCARLETT’s ILLOWEEN 2 with Illscarlett, Toronto’s  Zebra & The Bandit and Hamilton’s Bad Communication at Corktown Pub. are selling fast and the show is expected to sell out. 

WHEN AND WHERE DID YOU START? 

ANTHONY HALEY: I started rapping back in 2004 but didn't really get into the Hamilton scene until 2011 at the Steel Gold shows. 

WHAT WAS THE FIRST CONCERT YOU WENT TO?

ANTHONY HALEY: Technically the first concert I went  to was Barenaked Ladies when they were touring Gordon. That was with my parents though, my first concert on my own, I'm pretty sure was Alexisonfire at the Burlington Rec Center early 2000s, I think. Gone to too many shows over the years since then. 

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST “BIG SHOW”? 

ANTHONY HALEY: My first big show would've been the Steel Gold School Reunion back in 2018. From 2011 to 2014 we were throwing a monthly event called Steel Gold, encompassing all the elements of Hip Hop. In 2018 I put together a show that brought the whole community back together for one night in support of SACHA. 

WHAT WAS YOUR WORST SHOW OR FUNNIEST SHOW MEMORY? 

ANTHONY HALEY: Worst was when my former partner and I were supposed to do our first real show in front of the Hamilton Hip Hop community. He was sloshed and on our way up asked me the first few words to his verse. Something common with rap, you tell me the first few words I'll remember the rest of my verse. Except he asked me the first few words to the name of a song that we never wrote, didn't exist. I had to turn him around then and there and cancel our set. 

Funniest was performing for the other acts on the bill. No one showed up so we just had a blast with no effs given. There's been a few of those over the years to be honest. 

ANTHONY HALEY: I just released a new album over the summer called "Wow! You're an Artist?" That's available on all streaming platforms under Anthony Haley aka The Demon. So I've been slowly pushing that and starting it with a new backing band. You'll see us perform our first show together October 28th at the Corktown Pub opening for illScarlett for their illOween Show! 

*BONUS QUESTION* 

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE FOR HALLOWEEN? 

You'll have to wait and see at the illOween Show October 28th at Corktown!

TICKETS FOR ILLSCARLETT'S ILLOWEEN 2 ARE MOVING FAST.