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Autisten und interessierte Zeitgenossen

Soon after they jumped off the bus that afternoon, the teens from Redwood Valley High in rural southwestern Minnesota had one question: Where's 50 Tyson?

Moments like that have kept Antonio's family, teacher and coach shaking their heads. They still find it hard to believe that a 17-year-old with autism has gone from an unknown in north Minneapolis to a larger-than-life Internet rap sensation.

Antonio hosts parties and performs at trendy nightclubs. Celebrities sport his 50 Tyson T-shirts. Comedians refer to him in their routines. There was even a rumor floating around school that a Hollywood starlet wanted to book him for her birthday party.

[...]

The online performances are part of Hudson's plan to keep Antonio fresh in music fans' minds until his album release next year. He advanced Antonio $20,000 when the teen signed with Hudson Records. As part of their two-year contract, the former Minnesota Timberwolves point guard also started a website to market Antonio as the "face of autism."

[...]

According to Hudson's website, $1 from every T-shirt sold will benefit Autism Speaks, a New York-based advocacy group; The organization has yet to receive a dime, a spokesman said last week.