28-Year-Old Musical Wunderkind Tony Nite Built His Empire Entirely By Himself. In his Teenage Years Tony Applied The Lessons Of self-Discipline Motivation And Drive He Learned From His Grandfather A Former Military Official Towards Teaching Himself How To Create All Aspects Of His Music. As He Left Middle School And Entered High School He Channeled His Love Of Missy Elliott Erykah Badu Wyclef Jean And Even U2 And The Prodigy Into Producing Beats For Other Musicians And Starting His Own Foray Into Singing And Rapping.