Behind every record-breaking tour and electrifying stadium show stands a meticulous, often unseen force. For Grammy-award winning artist Chris Brown’s biggest sold-out tours and stadium shows to date, that force is HansTolo Enterprises, the dynamic tour management and production team led by co-founders Tone Lopez and Raphiki Rhodes. Far from just logistics experts, Lopez and Rhodes are redefining the art of touring, infusing cultural authenticity into every production while strategically expanding their empire beyond the music industry.
Their recent achievements speak volumes: Chris Brown’s 11:11 Tour in 2024 saw over 450,000 tickets sold across North America, with 36 sold-out shows delivering two hours and ten minutes of high-energy performances. Internationally, they orchestrated two sold-out shows in South Africa, each drawing over 90,000 attendees, and two back-to-back sold-out shows at Brazil’s Allianz Parque Stadium (55,000 capacity) in less than a week. These monumental feats, however, are just another day at the office for HansTolo.
“We’re so numb to this right now, bro,” admits Tone Lopez, reflecting on the scale of their success. This “numbness” isn’t indifference, but a testament to their unwavering focus and the sheer volume of high-profile live events they manage, including global tours for 21 Savage, Lil Baby, Kid Ink, and Lil Pump. Their excitement, they clarify, is primarily for the artists they serve, ensuring every show is a masterclass in execution.
From Passion to Powerhouse: The HansTolo Genesis
The partnership between Lopez and Rhodes was forged in a shared passion for music and a keen observation of the industry’s inner workings. Lopez, deeply embedded in pop culture since the late eighties and nineties, honed his skills as a “student of music” at Howard University, gravitating towards management. He recalls a pivotal moment when a mentor, DJ Mugs, recognized his meticulous organization, suggesting he’d make a good tour manager. This led to his first opportunity with GZA’s The Grand Masters, touring Europe, Australia, and the U.S.
Raphiki Rhodes’ journey began in Compton, leading him to serendipitously host a hip-hop show on a college radio station in rural California. He taught himself to DJ, eventually landing a 10-year stint at Power 106 in Los Angeles. “Touring was the one thing that gave me that same feeling, that same energy,” Rhodes explains, comparing the thrill of a hot record dropping to the roar of a stadium crowd when the lights go up.
Their paths, though separate, were intertwined by mutual friends and a deep understanding of the music landscape. They recognized a glaring void: “Whenever I’d see behind the stage, there was nobody that looked like us,” Lopez recounts. This realization fueled their mission to create a more diverse and inclusive environment in live production.
Cultural Fluency Meets Corporate Discipline
HansTolo’s signature is its blend of cultural authenticity and rigorous discipline. Rhodes vividly recalls an early encounter with a dismissive stage manager at a Danny Brown show, who scoffed at their one-page rider. “I was like, ‘You know what? I’m gonna show these dudes,'” Rhodes asserts. They hit every mark, on time, leaving the manager impressed. This experience solidified their approach: “We know the stigma that comes with urban acts… We run our company very disciplined. We run our touring very military.”
This doesn’t mean sacrificing their roots. Lopez describes their office energy as akin to a “barbershop,” while Rhodes emphasizes their “cultural fluency” – a superpower that allows them to connect across genres and demographics. They actively cultivate a diverse team, including women, Spanish, Asian, and Black professionals across all departments. “Everybody has a seat at the table,” Rhodes states, emphasizing that regardless of background, everyone feels the same energy and can communicate effectively.
They are unyielding in their pursuit of excellence, even with challenging artists. “We’re never yes men to none of our clients,” Lopez declares. They’ve successfully “corralled” artists like Lil Pump, teaching them the importance of punctuality and professionalism, transforming them into reliable performers.
The Art of the Stadium Tour
Executing a stadium tour is a monumental undertaking. Rhodes breaks down the process: “The biggest things that you have to think about is just the logistics and getting everybody out there.” This includes meticulous planning for flights, transportation, and hotels for a large crew, as well as securing the right production equipment. A stadium, he explains, is simply a larger version of an arena, but the scale amplifies every challenge. Smooth logistics are paramount; any hiccup can ripple through the entire production, affecting morale and performance.
Beyond the Stage: A Vision for World Domination
HansTolo’s ambition extends far beyond music tours. “World domination,” Lopez quips, encapsulates their drive. They envision a future where their business is “70% corporate and 30% music,” focusing on massive artists or emerging talents they genuinely believe in. Their expertise, they argue, is transferable to any live event.
“We want to do the runway at and for Prada,” Lopez asserts, or run an installation for the Dodgers. Their recent appointment to oversee production and tour management for Aminé’s Tour de Dance 2025 World Tour is another step in this expansion. Rhodes dreams even bigger: “I want us to do something in the Olympics.” They are not seeking DEI quotas but opportunities to prove their unparalleled capability. “We will run circles around most of these people,” Rhodes states confidently.
The long-term vision for HansTolo is to build a lasting legacy. They aspire to own their own rehearsal facilities and studios, creating an infrastructure that supports the next generation of talent. “We are ambassadors to our culture,” Lopez says, aiming to be role models for young people exploring careers in live entertainment. Like a versatile smartphone, HansTolo has many capabilities yet to be fully utilized. They foresee managing artists, songwriters, and producers, establishing themselves as a comprehensive entertainment powerhouse.
Tone Lopez and Raphiki Rhodes are not just tour managers; they are innovators, cultural architects, and business strategists. With every sold-out show and every new venture, HansTolo Enterprises is not just pushing boundaries—they are redefining the entire landscape of live entertainment, one meticulously planned, culturally vibrant, and impeccably executed event at a time.