Who Is Anthony Fantano? Age, Biography and Wiki
Anthony Fantano was born on October 28, 1985, making him 39 years old in 2025. He rose to fame as an American music critic and YouTuber, best known for his YouTube channel "The Needle Drop," where he reviews music across various genres. With a unique style and engaging persona, he has garnered millions of subscribers, solidifying his position as one of the most influential figures in music criticism today.
| Occupation | Journalist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 28, 1985 |
| Age | 39 Years |
| Birth Place | Wolcott, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Anthony Fantano's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Though specifics about his body measurements have not been extensively disclosed, Anthony Fantano stands at approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall. His weight fluctuates but is generally around 160 lbs (73 kg), contributing to his average build. Fans resonate with his down-to-earth appearance, which has become a part of his brand.
When asked about the merits of Fantano's reviews, veteran music critic Robert Christgau said in 2019: "[Fantano] seems to have arrived at a plausible brand of 21st-century rockcrit taste that runs toward what I'll call dark prog [...] Nowhere near as insensible to hip-hop/r&b as dark proggers tend to be, but note that very few female artists crack
his top 10s, which in 2018 was really missing the action.
Fantano seems to have figured out a way to make some kind of living by disseminating his own criticism in the online age." In his 2019 book Perfect Sound Whatever, comedian James Acaster called Fantano's best albums of 2016 list "a real music fan's Top 50" and said of Fantano: "Perhaps more than anybody else, he appreciates how the reviewer's role
has changed since the internet became a thing [...] The job of a reviewer used to be telling people what's worth their money but now it's telling people what's worth their time." In September 2020, New York Times culture correspondent Joe Coscarelli described Fantano as "probably the most popular music critic left standing".
According to Coscarelli, Fantano has successfully brought an "old art to a new medium" and has revitalized the record review format for a younger generation of music consumers.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Anthony Fantano's relationship status appears to be committed. He has been open about his long-term relationship with a partner named "Kristin," sharing glimpses of their life together on social media. Although details about Kristin are kept relatively private, social media proves they share a strong bond, often featured in videos and posts that resonate with his audience.
He is of Sicilian descent; the family surname was originally spelled "Fontana". His father, Ken Fantano, was a professional power-lifter. As a teenager, Fantano became interested in politics through the work of the musician Jello Biafra, former lead singer of the punk band Dead Kennedys, calling him "pretty much [his] political idol".
Fantano graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2008, earning a liberal arts degree concentrated in journalism, communications, and political science.
Net Worth and Salary
In 2025, Anthony Fantano's estimated net worth is around $2 million. His income primarily comes from multiple revenue streams, including YouTube ad revenue, sponsorships, partnerships, and merchandise sales. As a prominent music critic, his insights and critiques have proven valuable, while his successful business ventures have contributed significantly to his overall earnings.
Fantano was offered an album review show on Adult Swim but declined. By the end of 2017, Fantano had reached a million subscribers and diversified his content to include weekly "track roundup" videos, livestreamed Q&As, and video think-pieces alongside his album reviews.
To earn enough money to pay his editor Austen Walsh, by November 2016, Fantano was recording more regularly on a secondary YouTube channel, "thatistheplan", on which he reviewed memes and recorded "often irreverent videos that don't fall into the record review format", according to Spin.
Career, Business, and Investments
Anthony Fantano began his journey in music criticism in the early 2000s, eventually launching "The Needle Drop" on YouTube in 2009. Over the years, he has expanded his content to include podcasts, interviews, and live streams, further solidifying his status in the industry. He has also dabbled in podcasting, creating a platform for in-depth music discussions. His keen sense for emerging trends and music culture has allowed him to invest in various creative projects, enhancing his footprint in the entertainment industry.
In October 2017, an article by Ezra Marcus in The Fader accused Fantano of promoting alt-right sentiments in videos on "thatistheplan". Marcus criticized Fantano for the use of Pepe the Frog memes (which had recently been labeled an alt-right symbol) and targeting feminists.
After the article was released, multiple scheduled dates of The Needle Drop U.S. tour were cancelled, with at least one ticket booking site for a Brooklyn tour date stating that their cancellation was due to the Fader article. Fantano produced a video response calling the article a "hit job".
He disputed accusations of sympathizing with the alt-right and stated that the videos in question were satirical. The article was deleted by The Fader in March 2018, with both parties saying that the claims were settled.
In a later interview, Fantano acknowledged that there had been some "grubby, closed-minded, young, aggressive male" viewers on the "thatistheplan" channel and disavowed what he saw as the "toxic and problematic" side of internet humor, stating that the incident had led him to be more vocal in his advocacy for social justice issues.
Social Network
Fantano is highly active on social media platforms, engaging with fans and other creators. His primary platform is YouTube, where he boasts millions of subscribers. He also maintains a presence on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, where he shares brief music reviews, commentary on the industry, and personal insights, connecting with a diverse audience.
Anthony Nicholas Fantano (born October 28, 1985) is an American music critic and internet personality who runs The Needle Drop, a YouTube channel with a tie-in website and Twitch streaming channel. Self-appointed as "The Internet's Busiest Music Nerd", as a social media influencer Fantano discusses and reviews music from a variety of genres online.
Education
Anthony Fantano graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in comparative politics, a background that has influenced his analytical approach toward music and culture. His education, coupled with his passion for music, has positioned him to evaluate and critique the industry effectively, allowing him to build a thoughtful and engaged community of music lovers.
In conclusion, Anthony Fantano continues to reshape the landscape of music criticism in 2025, using his platform to elevate discussions surrounding music while maintaining a close connection with his audience. With an impressive career trajectory, relationship status, and significant net worth, he remains a prominent figure in today’s entertainment world.
