UB Anniversary ReVisit: Anthony Hamilton Talks Favorite Songs, Remakes + Influences

Over the next few months, we’ll be spotlighting features from our e-zines from the last 25 years. T M H Entertainment, T M Hxone and Urban Bridgez.

As the longest running website for R&B online, since 1999 – We’ve been able to conduct some amazing interviews with R&B Royalty.

Anthony Hamilton was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Harlem resident discovered his talent while singing in his church choir at age 10.

As a teenager, he honed his chops while making the rounds on the local nightclub and talent show circuit, performing alongside fellow Charlotte natives Horace Brown and the members of Jodeci.

In 1993, Hamilton left Charlotte for New York City, where he signed with Andre Harrell’s Uptown Records imprint. Then the epicenter of New Jack Swing and the bourgeoning hip-hop-soul movement with an all-star roster that included Jodeci and Horace Brown, in addition to Heavy D, Mary J. Blige and Guy. Unfortunately for Hamilton, the label folded soon after he completed his unreleased first album in 1995.

Following Uptown’s demise, Hamilton relocated to MCA, which put out his wonderful yet widely overlooked debut CD, 1996’s XTC. After the album’s release, Hamilton briefly reunited with his former mentor at Harrell Entertainment before landing at the Los Angeles-based Soulife label launched in 1999 by his hometown cronies Mark Sparks and Chris Dawley.

While Soulife geared up for the release of Sunshine Anderson’s “Your Woman,” Anthony recorded another album’s worth of new material and penned songs for other artists, including Sunshine’s “Last Night” and Donell Jones “U Know What’s Up,” and “Pushin’”.

Fans began paying attention to Anthony in 2002, when he sang the infectious hook on the Nappy Roots’ “Po’ Folks.” That performance netted the singer the first of 12 Grammy nominations for best rap/sung collaboration—and a label deal, on Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def imprint.

After signing with So So Def, Anthony scored a platinum debut with “Coming From Where I’m From” in 2003, featuring the chart-topping hit “Charlene.” Two years later, he returned with gold sophomore set “Ain’t Nobody Worryin’,” which spun off the #1 hit “Can’t Let Go.”

In 2008 he released “The Point of It All,” and won his first Grammy Award in 2009 for his collaboration on Al Green’s “You Got the Love I Need.”

In this ReVisit we celebrate Anthony Hamilton on his birthday.

In this interview 2005 Anthony Hamilton interview, he talks to UB about his favorite songs from his first releases, he shares what motives him and how he receives his inspiration.

Anthony also tells us what R&B song he would remake and shares an embarrassing moment.

If that’s not enough, Anthony tells us who he prefers over the other, in our R&B round-up.

UrbanBridgez.com: If you had to pick three of your favorite songs from “Comin’ from Where I’m from” and three from “Ain’t Nobody Worryin” what would they be?
Anthony Hamilton: Let’s see, from the first album; “Comin’ from Where I’m from”, “Charlene” and “Lucille.” And from my new album which I love, I would have to pick “Ain’t Nobody Worryin’,” “Preacher’s Daughter” and “Never Love Again.”

UrbanBridgez.com: Who are some artists that you are listening to right now beside yourself?
Anthony Hamilton: I’m listening to Damien Marley, also Kindred and their new album, Stevie’s new album I really like a lot. I’m also looking for this group called Sigaroise, a group from London, U.K. They are an alternative group that’s really hot.

UrbanBridgez.com: Where do you get inspiration from?
Anthony Hamilton: I get my inspirations from life and my past experiences, family and friends. Just people from day to day have something to offer you visually and emotionally, so you pick up a lot from the world.

UrbanBridgez.com: You have a unique style which incorporates a rough edginess with your facial hair. Talk to me about your style.
Anthony Hamilton: My style is like the guy from next door. It’s easy like Sunday morning. You just get up, you wash yourself off and put the nearest cleanest thing on, and then put on your favorite jacket. Grudgy, no shave! (Laughing)

UrbanBridgez.com: How satisfied were you with the success of your last album?
Anthony Hamilton: I was very pleased with it. It went platinum which is a big accomplishment for a so-called 13-year new artist. So it was great for me. I didn’t know if it would surpass gold or make gold cause it’s real music and who knew that the world was ready for it. But I’m thankful.

UrbanBridgez.com: What motivates you to make good music with the R&B; game being very boring?
Anthony Hamilton: Umm, I just don’t really compete with the radio or listen to the radio a lot a lot. I just kinda keep music that I love close to me, it keeps me inspired. Just remembering the nights when I had Oodles and Noodles and cheese toast, and when you just wanted that extra piece of chicken to go with the meal; that will make you be very creative!

UrbanBridgez.com: Do you have any plans to start your own record label?
Anthony Hamilton: Yes, I’m starting it up now just and getting everything together. It’s called True Music. Just True Music.

UrbanBridgez.com: Do you have any artists in mind to sign to your new label?
Anthony Hamilton: Tarsha McMillan would be the first person. I just really fell in love with her talent. Amazing! There are a few other people that I’m looking into also.

UrbanBridgez.com: If you were given the opportunity to redo any R&B; track and do it you’re your own justice, what track would you pick and why?
Anthony Hamilton: Hmm, a track that I could re-do my way? “Cry for You” from Jodeci. I love that song. It might not be better than K-Ci’s but I’ll give him a run for his money! That’s my favorite group.

UrbanBridgez.com: With the R&B; game being kinda bland like I said earlier, are there any artists that you’re feeling that are currently on the scene right now?
Anthony Hamilton: Yeah, there’s a lot of talent out there. Someone that really makes me say “Wow” though is John Legend. I think he’s really talented.

UrbanBridgez.com: Going back to you going on tour, do you have any artist in mind to tour with?
Anthony Hamilton: I can see maybe going out with Alicia Keys, or Dave Matthews. I don’t want to just put myself into one category. There’s a whole wide audience. We’ve talked about me and maybe Carlos Santana going out.

UrbanBridgez.com: Here are several artists. Tell me who you prefer over the other: Whitney or Mariah?
Anthony Hamilton: Whitney because she was there when I really fell in love with music.

UrbanBridgez.com: T-Pain or Avant?
Anthony Hamilton: I would have to say Avant because I really don’t know a lot about T-Pain. But Avant is amazing and makes good music.

UrbanBridgez.com: Beyoncé or Ashanti?
Anthony Hamilton: Beyoncé because she has a spirit behind her music and her vocals that really touch me.

UrbanBridgez.com: SWV or Xscape?
Anthony Hamilton: SWV, because I grew up on that.

UrbanBridgez.com: What does Anthony Hamilton do on his spare time?
Anthony Hamilton: I like to cook in my spare time. I like to be Daddy on my spare time. I like to go to Church and make sure I have God in my life. I like to help people, shop and I love to eat. Cooking and eating! Make a lil’ love, make a whole lot of love (laughing).

UrbanBridgez.com: And speaking of helping people, do you have any community projects that you’re working on?
Anthony Hamilton: Yes, I have an organization called H.E.L.P. which stands for Healing Every Little Problem. And we are going to get started with it very soon. We did something for the hurricane victims in New Orleans. I also want to do something for the homeless people in my neighborhood.

UrbanBridgez.com: Being that you go on tour a lot, have you had any embarrassing moments?
Anthony Hamilton: Yes! I’m not going to tell you though. Naw, I’m just playin. Actually it was a moment where I go out in the audience because I be hyped and I wanted to go out there and touch people like I’m a pastor. And we went out one door that we thought was going to lead us into the audience and it was on the fire escape. And it locked behind us so we were out there for about 20 minutes. So we had to end the show with the band just doing what they do. That was a good one though. I was pissed but I laughed afterwards. I was like “whoa that was funny.”

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s your favorite City to perform in?
Anthony Hamilton: My hometown Charlotte, North Carolina because I know that the love is going to be there. It’s genuine, plus I have people that know me and that know what I came from and what I’ve been through.

UrbanBridgez.com: Any last words for your fans?
Anthony Hamilton: All the times, the many times that you’ve purchased my music, I am so appreciative. I pray for ya’ll daily that my music which touch and change your lives. Keep me in your prayers and I’ll do the same. Look forward to seeing you soon!