Anthony (DAT) Braccia was born on June 25th, 1978 in Gravesend Brooklyn. Anthony lived his whole life on West 7^th Street between Kings Highway and Highlawn Avenue. He obtained his education in our community schools. He attended PS 97 grammar school, and then went to Mark Twain intermediate school. Anthony also attended both Xaverian & FDR high schools through-out his high school years.
He resided at home in Gravesend (Brooklyn), with his Mother, Father and Sister.

He worked extremely hard to have been lucky enough to build his own professional recording studio within his basement apartment where he worked everyday creating and producing new material.  He acquired his moniker DAT because of the countless number of hours he spent on his favorite Digital Audio Taping machine. He worked closely with many young adults who are interested in becoming singers, or anything to do in the music field. He would often spend time helping them make demo tapes and teaching them techniques that might be helpful to them in their journey to the music industry. He has spent endless hours working with some of music’s most unrecognized talent. 

 

To spite all the time and effort Anthony put into music, He also spent 5 years of his life in the real estate industry.  Soon after that Anthony decided to learn about his dad's business and quickly became a big help in running the company.  But his true passion was always producing and writing his own Music and Lyrics. Which he had hoped one day, would pay off.

His love of music was instilled in him through his Uncle Donny A.K.A. "DIMPS" who is a professional sound engineer.  His uncle virtually taught him how to mix and blend records at the age of 13. He has since spun records at local Brooklyn Lounges and in some of New York City's hottest night clubs. He has also deejayed many of our community schools proms, benefits and events.   His specialty was Hip hop, Rap and Reggae but anyone who knew Anthony knows anything he did was done to perfection.

He has also had the honor of meeting and working with producers such as LT Hutton, artists such as SixNine(69) and maintained a special friendship with both 69 and Eddie Griffin. He has traveled out to L.A several times to work on tracks for his career. He worked in studios such as Enterprise (LA), Hit Factory (NYC), and Step 1 Studios (BKLYN). He has met with Bones Thugs&Harmony, Krrupt,Snoop Dogg, Canibus, Busta Rhymes, Rampage, Jay Z, Beanie Sigel, Sean Combs, Angie Stone, M.O.P., Red Man, Rahzel, Mos Def,Kool G Rap.  Anthony had also been working hard on  creating his own record label, Dat Productions.

 

Anthony was a great achiever in all he did, he spent most of his Tuesday and Thursday nights with his softball team Gravesend helping to lead them to 3 championship victories in the Expo League. Just like any other 27 year old man, after long hard work weeks Anthony loved to go spend some of his weekend time with his family and closest friends at Coney Island beach.  Directly after the beach he and all of his family would return to have bbq’s and quiet nights on his front porch where he would sit and enjoy the beautiful weather.  His family and closest friends were his life. He loved to have everyone together.

Anthony was a well known individual, always known for his warm heart and compassionate ways.  If one of Anthony’s friends had a problem he was there to help them anytime. He has love for all including animals. His love of cats show through the 4 he has. If Anthony would see an animal in need he would take them into his home until he could find them one, no matter how long it took.

 

There wasn’t one person who didn’t enjoy his one of a kind personality and his ability to light up the whole room when he entered it. Anthony always knew how to make everyone laugh and always put a smile on frowning faces.   On Sept 5^th 2005, someone took it into their own hands to end his life. No answers nor clues were left to as who or why someone would do this to such a loved and cherished person. All that was left for his devastated family and friends were his memories.   Anthony last mass was held in St Simon and Jude church and was laid to rest in Greenwood cemetery on September 9^th 2005.

 

Rob Chopak has created  the Anthony Braccia Memorial League in his honor.