Anthony Fantano, ’08, has been named one of Rolling Stone’s “25 Most Influential Creators” of 2024.
Known as the “internet’s busiest music nerd,” Fantano has gained widespread recognition for his unique music reviews on his YouTube channel, The Needle Drop, which has garnered 2.9 million subscribers and over 437 million views to date.
His journey began at Southern, where he immersed himself in media studies, focusing on journalism, political science, and communication.
“Southern provided places like the radio station and the school paper—training grounds to learn the ropes of journalism and broadcasting,” said Fantano in an interview in the Spring 2019 edition of Southern Alumni Magazine. His involvement with WSIN, the college radio station, was particularly influential. “I was the general manager for two years; the music director for a year before that,” he shared.
Fantano’s unique style, which blends humor with in-depth musical analysis, has attracted millions of followers. “I wanted to give reviews in a way that was different,” he explained, describing how his Southern education helped him develop the distinctive voice that now resonates across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
His reviews have sparked significant conversations in the music industry, and his influence continues to grow. “Whether it is going on a new platform or engaging more with my viewers, it is all about keeping it music, keeping it funny, and having a good time,” Fantano said, underscoring the passion that drives his work and the foundation laid during his studies at Southern.
Click here to read the story on Fantano from the New Haven Register.
