I am Anthony Fantano, founder of The Needle Drop, and I've been told by Spin that I'm "today's most successful music critic." Some message boards online have also said I'm a meme. Ask me anything!

I met you at the travis scott concert and we talked for a bit but when I asked for an autograph you called me a “light 4/10 boy” and made me fortnite dance for the autograph. My question is why did you do that?

you deserved it.

If The Needle Drop wasn't successful, what would you see yourself doing right now?

political reporting or accounting.

what current movement or genre in music do you think will have the biggest impact going forward over the next decade? what artists specifically will be looked back on in ten years as highly influential to the direction of music?

probably guys like frank ocean or some of these emo trap artists. i know the catalog doesn't seem like much, but they're hitting an emotional nerve with current generations few other artists are.

Did you ever hear anything from the guy who wrote that Fader article? Like an apology?

lol no

who is the second busiest music nerd????

nardwuar :-))))))))

How often do you relisten to old albums that you gave “meh” reviews, (5-7)?

usually they're just 7s, and only once in a blue moon. skipping the tracks i disliked.

have you ever thought of reviewing classical music?

yes, but i know little to nothing about it.

i'm probably too dumb to process it or something.

What led you to become vegan?

liking animals.

liking vegetables.

being vegetarian for a while and learning to cook more without animal products.

What's been the most fulfilling aspect of gaining an audience through music criticism?

i get a lot of cool recommendations. :-)

Have you always had the best teeth in the game or did the dentist help?

the teeth are all natural. just starting telling people they were the best and it worked.

tho if i ever see anderson .paak it's on.

Anthony, what does an artisr need to do to get a 10 in your opinion?

there's no set criteria. the number is just a reflection of my level of enjoyment.

Who is your daddy and what does he do?

ken fantano.

he chills and plays mario kart 8, mostly.

What musical trope do you think will rise to popularity in pop music after trap elements start to die out? Love your videos by the way.

future music will just be whatever makes ppl dance on tiktok. the end is near. get ready.

What is your most played album of all time?

not sure. i stopped scrobbling years ago.

What were your favorite artists/bands you listened to when you were growing up?

rage against the machine

the offspring

tlc

weird al

coolio

boyz ii men

rhcp

ice-t

green day

bush

those were some of my early tapes, and then there was all the hits i'd record off the radio with my lil boom box.

Best kind of melon?

water

How many more classics does Kendrick need to solidify a top 5 all time rapper spot?

2

Favourite video game soundtrack?

i like a lotta the SNES hits: super mario world, chrono trigger, earthbound, donkey kong country 1 & 2, zelda a link to the past

and pretty much every mega man game.

Spaghetti or Ravioli?

spooget

Does your job effect how your enjoy music in your off-time?

not as much as just everyday life getting in the way, no. sometimes i'd rather listen to laurie anderson than fix the dishwasher, ya know?

Will you please do a Redux Review of Plastic Beach? It seems to have grown on you in the past few years and I'd like to see if it's earned yellow flannel status!

thinking about it.

Pink Floyd best to worst ?

i'd like to say "yes," but then you'd be expecting more than i think i can deliver.

How do you avoid burnout with your insane level of output?

not sure. enjoying what i do and making sure i'm taking decent breaks. doing other things? spending time with loved ones, cooking, exercising, chilling.

All time favorite Kendrick verse?

might be his whole deal on how much a dollar cost or u.

What is the last song you have listened to or are listening to now?

listening to the new jessie ware album rn. it bangs.

I am from Brasil and love your Channel. What's your favorite Brazilian artists/albums?

os mutantes and sepultura are two of the best there ever was.

ana frango electrico is a new favorite. <3

What kind of videos/reviews are your favorites to make? Love the content and you've helped me find artists I didn't know about before.

positive reviews and let's argue videos, right now. :-P

what era of musical exploration do you feel like was the strongest? as a followup, do you think music is currently headed in a direction that is favorable?

not sure about the first question, tbh.

i think music will continue to move in a good direction as long as the culture it comes from remains in control of its creation and dissemination, not greedy record labels. what we have now isn't perfect, but the internet gives more artists control than before. more control and a fairer financial deal is what artists need to seek otu in the future.

What genre fusions have you not seen explored much but would like to see/think would be interesting?

dance pop and black metal.

​

MAKE IT HAPPEN!

What’s your process Of reviewing these records? How many listens do you give it before you have a final opinion ?

typically it's 4-7 depending on my familiarity with the artist, genre. it's just a lot of listening, searching, writing, re-writing.

How do you feel about your image in certain communities as being a 'meme'?

i'm fine with it. honestly, i feel like if people are meme-ing, they're engaging. that's what you want as a content creator.

Has your meme status elevated your career, or vice versa?

probably. memes make the world go round.

what are your head dimensions?

watermelon dimensions

Do you ever take breaks or vacations? It always seems like you're putting out content.

rarely, no.

i don't know how to stop.

maybe i have a problem.

what's the best and worst reaction to a review you recieved by a musician?

a very nice e-mail from the guys in WEEN telling me a classic review i did was one of the best they've ever gotten and was more impressive than all the coverage they got through the 90s, LOL!

What’s your favorite music from before the modern rock n roll era like Woody Guthrie and Louis Armstrong? Etc really anyone from before the 50s.

probably pre-war blues or very very old gospel music.

Would you ever drop any original music??

probably, but i'm not sure i have any interest in becoming a commercial artist, honestly. i respect the grind and obviously i couldn't be doing anything i'm doing without commercial music existing. i just don't have any interest in making it or promoting it like it's my job or paying my bills depends on it.

What made you start reviewing music and albums in general?

just wanting to share my thoughts and see if i'd get any others in return. covering music professionally just seemed like the most sensible way of making it a part of my life in a way where it could be constant around the time i was trying to forge a career path.

What are the best ingredients to put in a vegan burrito?

beans, rice, guac, corn, salsa, hot sauce, sauteed peppers.

What are your guilty pleasure listens?

none. enjoy what you enjoy.

i don't give a fuck if anyone catches me listening to ICP or billie eilish. if i like it, i like it.

Anthony, I love your hair . What's your secret?

cut it short

Is this still the thread you'll be using?

yep

Have you ever heard Holiday Rap by MC Miker G and DJ Sven?

yes, goddamn. haven't thought about that track in years.

How do you stay so thiccc while being vegan?

when you go vegan, you still have access to fats, proteins, calories, and exercise. all the other vitamins and minerals, too. just don't starve yourself and hit some weights or bodyweight exercises.

Do you think that UK culture makes it harder to understand the messages in UK music?

i don't think UK culture makes it HARDER, but because it's a culture Americans aren't familiar with the dialect seems alien and lingo goes over their heads. so, yeah, it can create a bit of a barrier, i suppose. however, i think that's something people should get over to try and enjoy something that's different and exciting.

What is your go-to song to eat Italian food to?

LOL, i don't usually like listening to music when i'm eating.

Do you find it hard to approach music from a different culture of origin? For example, when reviewing K-pop or maybe rap in another language, does not being able to understand the lyrics affect your enjoyment of that music, and does that reflect in your reviews? I thought it would be different when it comes to a single critic, rather than places like Pitchfork who may have a more diverse staff on hand to give opinions.

i'm not gonna lie; it can be. i think i just try to do the best i can do translate what the enjoyable qualities of the album will be for a listener who won't go into it naturally understanding those aspects of it. because music is so steeped in whatever culture it comes from, the types of barriers are going to be there. and that's ok. not everyone can understand and be an expert on everything. and at the end of the day, i'm just trying to engage enjoyment. it doesn't matter of me if i'm enjoying a weezer album or a natalia laforcade album. i'll do my best to state what it is about the album i find to be special.

Your thoughts on Capital STEEZ?

one of the great losses of the 2010s. could have helped change music if he stayed with us, i think.

What do you think of Billy Joel?

dig the hits, never got too deep into his discog, though. nothing against him as an artist tho.

Haiiii King fantano crocs when?

i gotta hit up crocs for the endorsement.

thoughts on the new microphones record?

excited to listen to it, for sure.

Abel or Frank? Better singer?

abel is a more skilled singer, but frank's got better songs, imo.

Favorite young thug song?

good question. this is probably one of my favs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OpdjbzTIhM

Do you watch any music reviewers (other than yourself)? If so, who would you recommend?

personally, i like a lot of the content on YT that's more commentary and essay-based. guys like deep cuts, blacky speakz, finn mckenty. i still watch dead end hip hop and spectrum pulse, tho.

Hey Anthony, I'm a big fan of your content, so cheers for putting the time in to entertain us all.

I'm not sure if you've answered this before, but which review of yours would you most like to change the score of in a retrospective? Has reception of your score ever caused you to reconsider?

Thanks again Anthony

any of these: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiXWqnT-NCg

a few times, but that desire usually goes away quickly.

Hello, sorta of a new fan. I found you while looking up clippin newest album.

Have you ever listened to Trevor Something? Do you have a favorite album of his?

can't say i have, but thank you for hopping aboard! <3

Favorite video game?

maybe secret of mana

How often do u shave ur head?

every few weeks? you can literally gauge this for yourself if you just look at my youtube history, lol.

I notice that you put emphasis on the mixing and mastering of a song when reviewing, my question is have you ever heard a song that still sounded great even though the mic may have been a little muddy or not up to par with commercial standards?

sure. all the time. how a song is presented sonically is important, but it's not everything. things can still sound a bit "off" and the music still be perfectly good / enjoyable.

Pancakes or waffles?

i dunno how to make vegan waffles, tbh. if i did tho i'd probably fuck more with a waffle.

First album you remember loving as a kid?

evil empire, maybe.

What are your thoughts about the drill rap scene in NYC right now? Any favorites?

i didn't know it was taking hold in NYC as well.

well, i guess i was aware of pop smoke, but would like to know more.

What album have you changed your opinion on the most since you reviewed it (good or bad)?

i've done a few vids on albums i've changed my mind on, but i'm not sure which one i've change don THE MOST

Do you agree big KRIT is the best rapper of the 2010s??

not the best, but one of the best.

What is your work ethic? How are you able to pump out so much content?

give up your sanity? lol.

i think it's probably a case of just enjoying what you do.

What’s your favorite up and coming artist that you’ve yet to mention on video?

up until recently i would have said backxwash, but i'll just say BACKXWASH

What's your favourite interview with an artist and why?

probably my new lingua ignota interview. hayter was just throwing out great answers and killed every question.

Drugs?

not now.

Best Zeppelin album?

physical is my personal fav

Have you ever been in a poly relationship?

lol no

Favorite emo record?

diary comes to mind pretty quickly. just great performances, songs, production all-around. not so steeped in misery it's self-indulgent or killing the quality of the music.

Why did you feel the need to make a video mocking Death To Mumble Rap when, in reality, we all know it's by far the greatest song ever created?

it was ripe for meme-ing and i thought luke would be a good sport about it. he was and seems like a good guy. loved my interview with him.

what are your thoughts on iLoveMakonnen and his music?

mostly neutral on it at this point, tbh.

Can your wife be in more videos?

not interested. too many creep-os out there. the bigger TND gets, the more important it is to keep a barrier between what i do and my private life. my loved ones are a part of that private life, and my wife has been a driving force in my decision on this.

Anthony, how did your collaboration with James Acaster come about?

he was just a fan of what i do and through my platform would be a good place for his thoughts on music and his book. he's got killer taste so i invited him on to say his piece.

What's your favorite album of all time?

not sure i have one at this point, tbh.

main inspiration for reviewing music, melon?

just other youtubers and late 00s content creators "reviewing" things they were passionate about. i figured i wanted to take the music reviewing experience and turn it into that.

What are your thoughts on the newest The Alchemist and Boldy James album?

it's ok. alfredo's much better, IMO.