Tony Scales (born June 13, 1983), known professionally as Chef Tone, is an American record producer and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. He is best known for his songwriting work for numerous releases by American singer Trey Songz, including his 2009 single "Bottoms Up", which peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. Following its success, Scales has since been credited on albums by Justin Bieber, Jamie Foxx, Dr. Dre, Plies, Jacquees, Maejor, Queen Naija, and Sean Paul, among others.
In 2007, Scales, from Chicago, Illinois, connected with an entertainment manager and moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Within six months of relocating, Chef was offered an exclusive producer songwriter deal with Atlantic Records, the first by this label.[1] As a songwriter, Scales's first placement was with Florida rapper Plies, on his single "Please Excuse My Hands," featuring The-Dream and Jamie Foxx. The song peaked at number 66 on the Billboard Hot 100, which led to Scales' long-term deal to write, produce, and develop talent with Atlantic Records funding. Record executive Lyor Cohen, North American chairman and CEO of Warner Music Group, specifically constructed the deal to mimic the success of the Motown-era with Scales at the helm. Scales manager at the time submitted several songs to Craig Kallman, Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Records, who then passed them on to Mike Caren, Executive Vice President of A&R for Atlantic Records. Caren immediately sent Scales to LA for a meeting, offered him a deal, and matched him with R&B recording artist Trey Songz. Their collaborations yielded the hit song "I Invented Sex", featuring Drake, on the multi-platinum certified (RIAA) Ready album, which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and number two on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. Scales also penned Songz' singles "Bottoms Up," "Love Faces," "Say Aah," "Yo Side of the Bed," and "LOL :-)," which he wrote and produced, along with several other album tracks.
Scales' success with the aforementioned artists earned him a mentorship with Dr. Dre. Scales' was then credited as a songwriter on 50 Cent's 2014 single "Smoke", featuring Trey Songz, from the former's Animal Ambition album. Scales' credits expanded to include Ludacris' "Sex Room," Jamie Foxx's "Best Night of My Life" and "Gorgeous,"[2]Flo Rida's "Respirator," Sean Paul's "Entertainment" featuring Juicy J, Nicki Minaj and 2 Chainz, Maejor's "Lolly" featuring Justin Bieber and Juicy J, among others. Bieber's "Heartbreaker" topped the iTunes charts at number one in 63 countries, and peaking at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Scales' fastest rising release. Bieber's album Journals was released on December 23, 2013, by Island Records. It was available as a digital exclusive on online platforms.
Scales first earned his nickname on the basketball court, where he served good passes, also known as "dishes," to his teammates, his name carries through to his career in the music industry. Scales' Aye Girl Records, first launched in 2007, entered a joint venture with Interscope Records for the signing and release of American singer Wash's 2015 single, "Can't Trust Thots", featuring French Montana.
