Anthony Hamilton – Interview [2003]

What has the anticipation been like waiting for this record to release? I know you’ve had some problems in the past with records not coming out and labels folding on you.

Oh my God. It’s anticipation. Is that a word we are still going to use? I’m anticipating the growth of my career. It’s been a long awaited graduation.

How was the waiting?

Wow. I waited and I waited and I am at the best I could be. I have the clearest understand of who I am as an artist and my music speaks louder now. It’s amazing.

Has it affected the music?

It’s more live, I’m producing, and I’ve allowed myself the chance to be a leader on stage. Musically it enhances the music because you get the raw me whereas five years ago I was trying to learn. Now I’m just whooping ass on the mic.

Did you think you were jinxed?

Actually no, I can’t be jinxed. I pray too hard to be jinxed. I’m not jinxed; maybe a long time ago the people around me were jinxed. I knew it was just a matter of time.

Was it the working with other artists that kept you going or was it your determination that you’d make it as a solo artist?

It was me. Those were added bonuses that allowed me to realize that I was in the game and wanted and respect. There were dark moments but it added light.

When did you first say to yourself ‘I can sing for a living?’

I was eating cheese puffs over and over again. (We laugh) I was fourteen or fifteen and I really realized that I loved what I do and wrote my first song. I knew I wanted to be something. I’ve seen a lot of wasted talent and dreams. I realized I can do it. I didn’t know how I was going to connect with the bigger picture. The desire to want it motivated me to reach for it and I got closer. It’s like swinging on the monkey bars; you keep getting closer and closer.

Did you write a lot of tracks?

I write and write and write. I continue to write. It’s like being a poet, it’s my release. In order for me to be free I continue to write.

Do you feel dually blessed that you can write and sing? Some people can do one or the other but not many can do both.

I’m totally blessed. I’m appreciative for all the gifts I’ve been given. I respect them and own them humbly.

When did you make it a point to bring back the soul?

It was me. Over the years I realized there were a lot of trends but I was staying the same and sounding the same. I realized that it was soul and soulful because when people heard, it gave them a different feeling. It gave them a flashback to the past. It’s always been the same. I realized what it is and I know what music is best for me and what I can deliver.

Do you think kids have been missing out because they aren’t getting any soul today?

They are kind of missing out, but actually this last MTV tour I had the most turn around of hip hop kids. They were stone faced in the beginning and in the end they were getting it. When you connect something from generations and generations, it’s in their blood. It’s like chicken soup. When you taste it you know it and you goin’ to get it. It’s like ‘wow, I remember this when I was sucking my thumb’.

Everyone sings in the car, who were you pretending to be?

Elvis, any individual on Hee Haw, I was the cats on name that tune, Al Green, and Marvin Gaye.

Was it your love for artists like Marvin Gaye that kept you in soul or was soul music in your soul?

Actually it was natural. I had it and the people around me knew what it was and pointed me towards it. Everyone said Bill Withers, James Taylor, Al Green and I was like ‘wow there is a comparison’. That was when I started learning more about them and their delivery.

Did you carry that into your song writing?

It was just a natural style that I had. I learned from them. I took whatever they had and whatever resembled me and studied. I loved what their music sounded like and added that to what I’m doing and added more hip-hop.

Who would you tell kids, who want to be soul singers, to listen to?

The greatest hits of Donny Hatthway. Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, James Taylor, just revisit the past and the cats who paved the way. There are so many.

What about the production of the album, was it easy or hard to produce some of the tracks?

It wasn’t that hard. It fell into place. In the past it could have been hard because I was fighting so many battles and egos at the same time. This time God and life opened up the gates. I knew it was my turn and that it would come out right. The hardest part was trying to translate it. I don’t speak the music lingo to these real educated cats that went to school for it. But when you soul talk they get it. When they got real educated I was like ‘huh, what the hell ya’ll talking about. Pipe it down, don’t be so damn smart.’ (We both laugh)

What was it like to be the band leader in a sense?

It was great. It was my talk show and it was like ‘if you could please allow yourself to accommodate me then it’ll be cool’ they knew I would let them speak. It was just give and take.

It has to be fun to be in charge.

It feels good to lead. I know how to lead now.

Is the world ready for the soul revolution?

They’ve got to be ready for it. You either roll with it or get rolled over.

+ Charlie Craine