Anthony Hamilton – Interview [2006]

There is a tradition in classic black music that goes back to the smooth crooning of Sam Cooke, the earthy gritty sound of Otis Redding, the lyrical beauty of Curtis Mayfield and the unfiltered intensity of Donny Hathaway. It’s a combination of church-rooted hallelujah praisin’ and tell-it-like-it-is storytellin’ . Few contemporary artists are equipped to carry the torch with any sense of authenticity. Anthony Hamilton may be the sole – indeed, soulful – exception. Filling an obvious void in today’s marketplace, Anthony’s pure unadulterated emotion-filled vocals mixed with a no-holds-barred approach to truth-telling appealed to music buyers worldwide as evidenced by the response to his platinum-plus 2003 set COMIN’ FROM WHERE I’M FROM. Simply put, Anthony proved to be the real deal, as audiences discovered during an almost two -year–long road trek performing night-after-night before packed crowds of – as he puts it – “young thugs, white and black, mothers with babies on their knees, old school G’s and kids looking for something they could feel and relate to”.

Now with the release of his much-anticipated new set AIN’T NOBODY WORRYIN’, the Hamilton tradition – born of his Southern roots and the pathway created by soul greats such as Bill Withers, Bobby Womack, Al Green and Marvin Gaye – continues. “I didn’t approach doing this new record with the intention of outdoing the last album,” says Anthony. “I wanted it to have the same amount of quality, putting raw emotions and experiences to music, you know, re-living as much as possible what I’ve been through in the past few years of being out there, being on the road, singing songs that keep the listeners interested.”

We interview Anthony Hamilton.

HIP: How long did it take to finish the record?

Anthony Hamilton: This record took a particularly strained route because I bruised my vocal cords and had to be quiet for three months.

Wow.

From touring for two-and-a-half years and this album took about year to get it how I need it.

What happened? How did you bruise them?

My body was tired and going to the studio from working on the album my body wasn’t ready. It wanted to chill.

ANTHONY HAMILTON

That had to be the scariest thing.

That was the scariest blessing I ever had.

Blessing?

Yeah. I was tired. I wanted to stay home. I got a new house and new life and wanted to enjoy it. After touring it takes about as long as you’ve been gone to get readjusted to yourself.

Were you writing during that time?

Yeah. I would write here and there and go into the studio to find something that would work. But for the most part I just took the time off completely.

Twenty or thirty years ago your style would have fit perfect—but it really stands out now. Was your style natural?

My style was just who I was. It was about my attitude. My style is how I hear it.

Have you ever been asked by a label to change your style?

Yeah. Did they try to make me into Bobby Brown?

(We both laugh) Yeah.

They tried. They want you to see it their way. But that is cool. I stuck to my guns even though I gave them a little of what they needed.

It’s your thing. Is writing the same way?

Yeah. I hear stuff with my style. It’s the old southern type of gentleman way—that’s how I sing it.

Are there any artists you get into today?

The last Dave Matthews album is good. I also like John Legend and Damian Marley.

You’re all over.

Yeah.

I would think those different styles would help your creativity.

Yeah. I think people get bored. I don’t feel the same way everyday so I need something else.

Growing up—when did you realize you had that voice?

When people kept telling me and I paid attention to it. I was thirteen-ish.

Was it the attention or the fact you had skill that kept you going?

I knew I had this singing thing everyone wished they had. I just enjoyed it. And it got the girls. I didn’t have other skills—but I could belt out a tune.

ANTHONY HAMILTON

When did you come up with the idea of creating music other than singing other people’s songs?

Around fourteen or fifteen and it turned out well. I was like ‘wow, I can sing and write?’

Do you see it as a gift?

I see it as a skill and gift? It’s all that. Any time you have something that is demanded it’s beneficial to you to utilize it to support yourself.

Do you write a lot?

I try not to trash stuff—but I won’t approach the music if I don’t feel like it’s special. It has to already be platinum. If I’m not inspired to write I won’t so I pick the ones that really need to be heard.

Do you carry a recorder?

Yeah, or I’ll just call my cell phone and leave it on my answering machine.

Do you ever keep those messages?

Oh yeah.

You should put that out on the website or something.

Some of it gets used. Some of it never gets sung at all.

It would be cool to hear the ones you use—too hear the early…

…stages.

Yeah. Do you have lyrics or are you just scatting a melody?

Depends. Sometimes its just music. Sometimes lyrics.

+ Charlie Craine