Marvin Jones III

Marvin Jones III is an American rapper, actor, and songwriter, known as Krondon. Jones is famous for his work in both the underground hip hop scene and mainstream television, voicing roles that play with outsider status and power. He is best recognized as Tobias Whale from the CW series Black Lightning and as Tombstone in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Jones continues to take on genre television and film work, maintaining ties to the hip-hop community.[edit]

Marvin Jones III was born on July 9, 1976, in Los Angeles, California. He spent his childhood and formative years in South Central Los Angeles during the 1980s and 1990s, growing up within an environment deeply shaped by the burgeoning West Coast rap culture. As a Black man born with albinism, Jones navigated unique challenges from an early age; his appearance often drew additional stares and set him apart, even within his own community. These early experiences were instrumental in shaping his perspective, forcing him to confront and explore complex questions of identity, themes that would later profoundly inform both his music and the distinctive characters he would portray on screen.

From a young age, hip hop was an ever-present and influential force in Jones's life, immersing him in its rhythms and narratives. By the late 1990s, he began to actively engage with the genre himself, passionately writing rhymes and making his first recordings. It was during this period of intense creative exploration that he adopted the stage name Krondon, the moniker under which he would soon begin to gain recognition as a rapper. Concurrently, he dedicated himself to honing his vocal craft, developing a distinctive, gravelly delivery that would become a powerful hallmark of his artistic style and eventually open doors for him beyond the realm of music.

His burgeoning talent and dedication naturally led to local collaborations, connecting him with other aspiring Los Angeles MCs who shared his vision and passion for hip hop. These key connections culminated in Jones becoming a co-founder of the influential hip-hop collective Strong Arm Steady. Initially a more fluid collective with ties to established artist Xzibit, the group soon solidified into its core trio, featuring Jones alongside fellow artists Phil Da Agony and Mitchy Slick. By the early 2000s, Jones had transitioned beyond informal bedroom recordings to producing official releases and embarking on regional tours with Strong Arm Steady. The collective consistently put out mixtapes and albums, steadily building a dedicated following within the underground rap scene and earning significant respect across California rap circles. These years of diligent work, compelling live shows, and growing recognition laid the essential groundwork for all the subsequent phases of his multifaceted career. [edit]

Krondon first drew wider attention through his music with Strong Arm Steady. The group released several projects in the 2000s that earned praise inside West Coast hip hop. He also put out solo material and collaborated as a writer and featured artist, keeping a consistent presence in independent rap.

His screen career took off in the 2010s. Early credits included a small uncredited part in Django Unchained and a role on the legal drama Harrys Law. The turning point arrived in 2018 when he joined the cast of Black Lightning as Tobias Whale. The character appeared across all four seasons and gave Jones a platform to show range within the constraints of a comic-book villain.

That same year he voiced Tombstone in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The film won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature and introduced his distinctive voice to a global audience. Later television work included parts on The Equalizer, All American: Homecoming, and the Halo series. In 2025 he appeared in the action movie Shadow Force. These roles cemented his reputation for playing layered antagonists and expanded his reach across animation, network drama, and streaming genre projects. [edit]

Marvin Jones III, known professionally as Krondon, is respected for his authentic representation of Black men with albinism in both music and acting. His public persona is thoughtful and introspective, often discussing how his lived experience with albinism in South Central Los Angeles shapes his approach to art. In his music, he delivers gravelly, introspective lyrics rooted in West Coast hip-hop. On screen, he gravitates toward layered villain roles that explore power and trauma rather than stereotypes. Media portrayals emphasize his seamless transition from underground rap to mainstream television and animation. Fans discover him first as Tobias Whale or Tombstone and later learn of his decades-long rap career. His social media voice is low-key and professional, with a reflective tone. There is no widely recognized official fandom name; supporters are generally referred to as Krondon fans or music supporters. He maintains a mature, low-drama online presence, focusing on updates about his work and personal reflections.[edit]

Marvin Jones III currently holds no placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list, a status the iFANN Global Fame Engine confirmed as of August 2026. While his voice work and screen presence have carved out a dedicated space in genre entertainment, he has not yet crossed the threshold into the published global rankings. His audience is a distinct mix of long-time hip-hop heads who followed his tenure with Strong Arm Steady since the late 90s and newer fans discovering him through superhero franchises. This fanbase operates without a formal, branded name; there are no documented organizations, chart campaigns, or ritualistic gatherings that define a collective identity for Krondon supporters. Instead, the community exists through scattered appreciation across underground rap forums and mainstream comic book discussion boards. The most resonant moment in his recent cultural mythology occurred in September 2025 when casting news announced his role as Tombstone in the upcoming Marvel film Spider-Man: Brand New Day. This transition from an underground rapper to a major Hollywood villain sparked intense conversation among followers who viewed it as the culmination of his steady climb. Prior to this, his portrayal of Tobias Whale on Black Lightning established his reputation as an artist capable of embodying complex villains with authentic representation. Fans often cite the irony of seeing a figure known since the 2000s underground scene step into such a high-profile role, creating a narrative of artistic evolution rather than viral chaos or crowd disruption.[edit]

Krondon began recording music in 1997 under his stage name, laying the groundwork for a career that would eventually bridge the gap between the underground West Coast scene and mainstream television. He frequently discusses how living with albinism in South Central Los Angeles shaped his approach to characters who stand apart from the crowd, bringing a layer of lived experience to roles like Tobias Whale. Many fans first discover him as the recurring antagonist on Black Lightning and only later learn he spent years as an active rapper in the Strong Arm Steady crew. His deliberate choice to take on villain roles that explore power, trauma, and motivation rather than simple bad-guy stereotypes has defined his acting legacy. A significant moment in his modern legend occurred in September 2025 when reports confirmed his casting as Tombstone in the upcoming Marvel film Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Long-time followers view this announcement as a symbolic full-circle moment, bridging his decades in hip-hop with a major entry into the superhero cinematic universe. Voice work as Tombstone in previous projects like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has already fueled rumors of future live-action appearances in Spider-Man projects, adding a layer of anticipation to his public image.[edit]

Marvin Jones III keeps details about his parents, siblings, and any possible children out of the public eye. Published interviews focus on his upbringing in South Central and his experiences with albinism rather than family matters. No confirmed public information about a spouse or kids appears in major profiles. [edit]

Jones built his music career alongside Phil Da Agony and Mitchy Slick in the group Strong Arm Steady. Early connections to Xzibit helped shape the collective. On screen he shares the Arrowverse world with the Black Lightning cast and has voiced characters within the larger Spider-Verse franchise. [edit]

Public information on Marvin Jones IIIs romantic life stays extremely limited. Major profiles and interviews do not name any partners, marriages, or long-term relationships. No credible reports document specific dating history or high-profile pairings. Because of this scarcity of verified details, a full chronological summary cannot be provided without speculation. As of 2026 his relationship status remains undisclosed in reliable sources. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Marvin Jones III's net worth at $3 Million as of 2026. This figure reflects a steady accumulation of wealth driven by his dual career in music and acting. Television salaries form the bulk of his income, particularly his multi-season arc as Tobias Whale on Black Lightning which provided a significant financial foundation during his breakthrough years. Voice work on major animated projects like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse adds to his acting revenue, while his long involvement with Strong Arm Steady generates ongoing publishing and streaming income from albums, features, and live appearances. Jones continues to collect royalties and performance fees from his music catalog and takes on occasional songwriting and collaboration work within West Coast hip hop. He has avoided flashy public displays of wealth, focusing instead on steady career moves that span two decades. Recent television and film bookings suggest his earnings have grown modestly but consistently since his initial rise in 2018. No major business ventures or real-estate portfolios appear in public records, so the bulk of his wealth ties directly to creative output.[edit]