In 2014, Yonkers rapper @BigStickTom_ recorded "5 Cell Phone" in an attic for $20. Nearly 12 years later—after being evicted, living in his car, and staying at a homeless shelter—Tom worked to blow the song up.
He posted on TikTok and Instagram every day, and his clips started to get traction, with @lilyachty and @SwaeLee liking his posts.
Eventually the underground took notice, and after @xaviersobased brought him onstage, he’s appearing on bills alongside osquinn, @1feardorian, and @sprain_.
Talking to Tom on the phone, he expressed nothing but gratitude for the newfound success and validation that came with his decision to revisit a song from a decade ago.
It’s already changed his life significantly: "It's the same song from 10 years ago…Now there's different people."