ATLANTA — Formerly of Griffin, Anthony Cruz, has been announced as a Georgia State University Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 honoree.
Cruz, 37, is a music engineer who has climbed his way to the top after pivoting and pursuing his dream.
After graduating from GSU with a bachelors in English in 2008, Cruz decided to follow his heart and love for music.
He credits his dad, Thomas Grier, with guiding him toward music. He said the passion came from Grier, who would educate him on hip-hop, jazz and other genres.
“Music’s always been a part of my life,” Cruz said. “From even younger, I was always very interested in music production.”
Cruz has been around music since a teen. Originally from Oklahoma, he moved to Griffin in 1999 and graduated from Griffin High in 2003.
In 2009, he said he abandoned corporate America and relocated to Florida, where he attended Full Sail University in Orlando. There, he studied recording arts.
After completing the program, his passion took him to New York. In the Big Apple, he interned at Roc Nation before becoming a full-time A/V tech for the company. As a tech, he’d work on audio and video equipment at the 40/40 Club.
Through Roc Nation, he was able to work with notable artists such as Ne-Yo, Ryan Wesley, Meek Mill, Ricky Martin and Coldplay.
His most meaningful memory is working with Ricky Martin on “Adrenalina,” which featured Jennifer Lopez, Wisin and Yandel. It was the official song for the World Cup Series.
Being Cuban and Mexican, he said the experience spoke to his roots.
“It just felt like a moment of validation for me,” Cruz said. “It kind of was a turning point for my family on the Spanish side.”
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Though being around big-name celebrities feels great, Cruz said his dad prepped him to handle interactions with them. He said Grier told him to “treat them as human beings.”
He currently spends his time in the studio with rapper Meek Mill, working on the artist’s newest project.
He said he worked on Meek Mill’s recently released “Expensive Pain” and has been appointed as A&R director by the rapper.
In 2016, at the Billboard Music Awards, Meek Mill’s “Dreams Worth More Than Money” won Best Hip-Hop Album — an accomplishment that included Cruz, who worked on the project.
Cruz said he’s been nominated for a Grammy award five times.
To be named one of GSU’s 40 Under 40, he said the feeling is amazing. He’s set to attend the celebration in Atlanta in March.
Cruz is founder of Break It Down Entertainment, a company that offers tools for up and coming engineers. Through the business, people can get a head start on their musical journey.
He also founded Break It Down Foundation, which is his way of giving back to the “under-represented minority youth who have music aspirations but no funds or access.” Free workshops and free educational opportunities are available.
If he could go back and speak to his former self, the young boy who began chasing his dream, Cruz said he would tell him to not change anything, to keep going, follow his gut and not listen to anyone.
He tells others: “Go all in. Give it everything you have, and put in your 10,000 hours.”
More information: breakitdwn.com, breakitdownfoundation.org and breakitdwn on Instagram.
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