OAKLAND, Calif. — Bay Area hip-hop is mourning the loss of Anthony Douglas Gilmour, better known professionally as Tone Capone, a veteran producer and DJ whose work helped define the sound of West Coast rap during the 1990s and beyond.
Tone Capone died on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at age 59, according to reports citing information shared by members of his family. His passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from artists, fans and people connected to the Bay Area music scene.
Although his name became internationally associated with one of hip-hop’s most recognizable songs, Capone’s career extended well beyond a single production credit. His catalog included collaborations with some of the most influential artists in Bay Area and Southern rap.
Remembering Tone Capone
Born Anthony Douglas Gilmour in Berkeley, California, and raised in North Oakland, Capone developed an interest in music at an early age.
He began DJing while attending Berkeley High School, eventually moving from performing and collecting music into production and beat-making.
That early foundation helped lead him into the rapidly developing Bay Area hip-hop scene, where independent artists, DJs and producers were creating a distinctive regional sound.
Capone became part of that movement, contributing production that would eventually reach audiences far beyond Northern California.
Tone Capone and “I Got 5 On It”
Capone’s best-known work came through Luniz’s “I Got 5 On It,” released in 1995.
The song became a defining Bay Area hip-hop record and went on to achieve national success, reaching the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
Its instantly recognizable production helped make the track one of the most enduring songs associated with the region’s rap scene.
More than two decades after its original release, the record found another generation of listeners when director Jordan Peele incorporated a slowed and darker version of the song into the 2019 horror film Us.
The use of the track in the film demonstrated just how deeply Capone’s production had entered popular culture.
A Career Beyond His Signature Hit
While “I Got 5 On It” became Capone’s most recognizable credit, it represented only one part of his extensive production career.
He worked with numerous prominent artists, including E-40, Mac Dre, Celly Cel, Dru Down, 3XKrazy, The Jacka, Scarface, Devin the Dude and 2Pac.
His collaborations also helped connect Bay Area hip-hop with artists and musical communities outside California, particularly in Houston.
Among his other notable production credits were Celly Cel’s “It’s Goin’ Down,” 3XKrazy’s “Keep It on the Real,” and songs by Mac Dre including “Fire” and “Not My Job.”
He also contributed to Scarface’s The Untouchable, including work associated with “Smile,” Scarface’s collaboration with 2Pac.
The Sound of Bay Area Hip-Hop
Capone’s career unfolded during a particularly influential period for Bay Area rap.
The region developed a sound and identity distinct from other major hip-hop centers, with local producers and artists creating music that reflected the culture and personality of Northern California.
Capone became part of that musical foundation.
His production helped provide the sonic backdrop for artists whose work would go on to influence later generations of rappers and producers.
For many Bay Area listeners, his music was connected to an era when regional hip-hop was establishing a much larger national presence.
Anthony Douglas Gilmour’s Early Musical Influences
Gilmour’s musical interests extended across genres.
Growing up in the Bay Area, he listened to artists and groups including Earth, Wind & Fire, the Crusaders, Parliament, Kool & the Gang, Curtis Mayfield and Donald Byrd.
Those influences helped shape his understanding of rhythm, instrumentation and groove.
His transition from DJing into production allowed him to combine those musical influences with the emerging sound of hip-hop.
The result was a production style that became associated with the distinctive character of Bay Area rap.
Tone Capone Cause of Death
The cause of Tone Capone’s death has not been publicly disclosed.
Reports confirming his death did not immediately identify a specific illness, accident or medical condition.
For that reason, no particular explanation should be presented as the cause of his death unless his family or another authoritative source provides confirmation.
The lack of publicly released medical information also means that speculation circulating online should be treated cautiously.
At present, the confirmed information is that Tone Capone died at age 59 on September 12, 2026.
Tributes to a Bay Area Producer
News of Capone’s death has resonated throughout the hip-hop community because of the lasting influence of his production.
For artists and fans who came of age during the height of Bay Area rap, his work represents a significant part of the region’s musical history.
His contributions also reached beyond California through collaborations with artists from other parts of the country.
The longevity of his music is perhaps one of the clearest indications of his impact. Songs produced decades ago continue to be played, sampled, referenced and rediscovered by new audiences.
Tone Capone’s Lasting Legacy
Capone’s legacy cannot be measured solely by the success of “I Got 5 On It.”
That song may remain his most recognizable contribution, but his broader catalog demonstrates how deeply he was involved in the development of Bay Area hip-hop.
He worked with artists at different stages of their careers and helped create records that remain important to fans of West Coast rap.
His music also illustrates how regional sounds can eventually become part of the wider cultural landscape.
The continued popularity of “I Got 5 On It,” including its renewed visibility through Us, ensured that Capone’s work remained recognizable long after the era in which it was originally created.
Funeral and Memorial Arrangements
At the time of the available reports, specific funeral, visitation or memorial arrangements for Tone Capone had not been publicly announced.
Additional information may be released by his family or representatives.
Those wishing to pay their respects should rely on official announcements rather than unverified information circulating online.
Tone Capone Obituary: What We Know
The currently reported details include:
- Name: Anthony Douglas Gilmour
- Professional name: Tone Capone
- Age: 59
- Born: Berkeley, California
- Raised: North Oakland
- Died: September 12, 2026
- Known for: Music production and DJing
- Most famous credit: Luniz’s “I Got 5 On It”
- Notable collaborators: E-40, Mac Dre, Celly Cel, Dru Down, 3XKrazy, The Jacka, Scarface, Devin the Dude and 2Pac
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
- Funeral arrangements: Not publicly announced
Additional details may become available as his family and representatives share information.
A Final Tribute to Tone Capone
The death of Tone Capone at 59 marks the passing of a producer whose work became an important part of Bay Area hip-hop history.
From his early days as a DJ to his career as a producer, Anthony Douglas Gilmour helped shape the sound of an influential generation of West Coast rap.
His work on Luniz’s “I Got 5 On It” gave him an enduring place in music history, but his legacy extends across a much broader catalog that includes collaborations with some of the most respected names in hip-hop.
His production helped artists turn performances into lasting recordings, while his connection to the Bay Area scene helped preserve and amplify a distinctive regional sound.
For longtime fans, his music will remain connected to an important era of hip-hop. For younger listeners discovering those records today, his influence continues to live through the songs he helped create.
Tone Capone will be remembered not simply for one iconic track, but for a body of work that helped give Bay Area hip-hop its distinctive voice and lasting place in American music.
May Tone Capone rest in peace.
This article is based on reports confirming Tone Capone’s death and information attributed to his family. His cause of death and funeral arrangements had not been publicly disclosed in the available information and should not be subject to speculation.