Tom Hardy gave us Bane Voice, the most iconic and awesome voice in movie history. For that, he is forever immortalized in entertainment.
Before that, he was a rapper. This is straight out of the Mark Wahlberg playbook. Hardy never made it big as a rapper and no one knew his mixtape existed. Until now.
Edward Tracy aka Eddie Too Tall released a mixtape titled Falling on Your Arse in 1999 earlier this month on Bandcamp. The mixtape features Tommy No 1 aka Tom Hardy.
Hardy was 22 at the time and is credited for writing the lyrics. Here’s what Tracy told Complex about the mixtape.
We made the album in my bedroom with no mixer or any kit other than an Atari ST running an AKAI sampler, and two Technic 1200 decks..
[A]ll the vocals were recorded on a handheld tape dictaphone. No overdubs or editing. Tom had a click track for timing but that was it, he had to get it in one take. Raw production techniques!..
Back then we were offered a record deal on the basis of this album, but Tom’s agent said ‘no don’t do music, do acting.’ Terrible advice! Look where he is now?!
Having listened to the mixtape, I have to say, it’s pretty good. The production holds up and Hardy is lyrical enough to carry the sample heavy tracks. If this were played on the radio today, I would not be offended by it.
The rap game is lucky this didn’t come out in 1999. Between this and the Slim Shady LP, white people would have taken over the genre.
Others who have listened agree.
Tom Hardy's rap alias = Lil Bane
— Bayonet Records (@bayonetrecs) January 19, 2018
tom hardy's mixtape really has me out here feeling like my dead body is ascending to heaven
— es cocáine (@marmarlay) January 19, 2018
the leak of tom hardy’s 1999 rap mixtape has brought me immeasurable joy
— #pamcon (@duurtvader) January 19, 2018
When da club plays Tom Hardy’s mixtape, you know it’s Gotham’s reckoning.
— Connor Evelich (@stconnorpatrick) January 19, 2018
Tom Hardy is perfect.