Toronto's YouTube phenomenon Tonetta digs sex and home videos

Toronto's YouTube phenomenon Tonetta digs sex and home videos

Fifty-something Tonetta thrives on sleaze. For the past 27 years, Toronto-based Tonetta has been writing and recording songs like Beat It and Grandma Knows Best, earning a reputation of being the dirtiest old man on YouTube.

Beat It (no melodic or lyrical link to the Michael Jackson hit) details how he pleasures himself but in Grandma Knows Best, it's the black bikini-brief toting Tonetta who turns hero. Its lyrics, like most other Tonetta songs, are rather elusive. Besides, when you watch Tonetta play out dumb charades for perves, you can barely focus on the words. One of his YouTube fans, junkhead81 comments on the Grandma Knows Best video: "I've never had this feeling before...I'm horrified but I can't seem to look away... like a car wreck."

The videos shot at Tonetta's pad in front of a black curtain with flashy rainbow-hued effects in the background, are nostalgia gold. Tonetta in his defence says that their tacky charm isn't aimed at drawing views and fans. He blames his lack of resources for the notorious lo-fi productions that sometimes feature a $20 guitar that he refuses to tune. Grandpa Raunchy is also unabashed about his sex fixation: "If you hear an old tune, it's about love, and love is sex. I'm just bringing it one step further. I'm getting rid of the love and making it more sexy," he has been quoted saying.

Tonetta's arresting appeal lies in his kooky dance moves and explicit-riding-on-repulsive lyrics: "You won't last a week if you won't release/ so please release all over me/let me be your drain tonight/let it rain on my face I won't complain/dump it on me/I love what pours into my mouth/Cos that's what life is all about."

His massive fan following is hooked onto lines like these even though they are the reason why he was banned from YouTube more than once. His choice of looks for the videos -- dresses, bikini briefs, leather pants and vest -- all add to the kinky image. Tonetta is currently hunting for a fashion designer who can make him a tutu, according to his FaceBook page that has a thousand-odd fans.

Just two years ago, Black Tent Press, a California-based indie label that has all of three artists on its roster (including bassist David Pajo who was briefly with American indie band Yeah Yeah Yeahs) signed on Tonetta and released an 18-track album titled 777.

The YouTube phenomenon has never performed live although an American band named The Growlers have done live shows covering his X-rated tracks. A remix version of 777 is on the charts next.

You might also stumble on Tonetta's female counterpart, who's actually err.. a male. Loco Mama, a 58 year-old Pennsylvania resident takes pride in her home videos but gets his/her kicks from more elaborate hair and make-up. Loco Mama is also a lot more vocal and shares little stories before she breaks into a song.

Hang around YouTube long enough and you'll have enough material for the freakiest Halloween show you've watched in a long time.

Also on YouTube

Loco Mama
A 58-year-old from Pennysylvania has also produced several viral hits. G strings are passe. Loco Mama aka T Roth sports a candy bra (yes it's really edible) and even has a video dedicated to it. At last count, he had uploaded some 800-odd videos including a rap song dedicated to The Jonas Brothers. Loco Mama who also goes by the moniker Zipster may just be Tonetta's transexual avatar.