It's funny, the story about that symbol. I remember when I did the symbol. I had mine made with diamonds in a necklace as a symbol. Prince had a symbol but he never had diamonds in his. We were in the elevator in Memphis, Tennessee, hanging out with him there. When he saw my T, he said, "Wow, you got a symbol, too. You got diamonds in yours." The next time I saw Prince, he had diamonds in his. It was cool. When he saw my symbol, he had a true appreciation for it.
My symbol's evolved because being an artist, I always saw it as an extension. When you look at it, it's a straight line and the top of it was this figure. What I did over a couple of years was mess with it, move it around, shape it. Then I created another symbol. I have like three or four that I've created. It became fun because it was a part of my expression. In all of my paintings, instead of signing my name, I have my symbol incorporated in it. Not just scratched on there like a signature but in the actual painting. I started incorporating it in my second album, Birdseye, and its energy helps me stay connected. I believe firmly that everybody should have some type of symbol. When you create your own symbol, it's something that came out of your mind.
For more information on Tony Rich, visit his official website.
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