Anthony Hamilton (musician)

Anthony Cornelius Hamilton (born January 28, 1971[1]) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who rose to fame with his platinum-selling second studio album Comin' from Where I'm From (2003), which featured the title track single "Comin' from Where I'm From" and the follow-up "Charlene". Nominated for 17 Grammy Awards, he is also known for the song "Freedom" from the soundtrack album of Django Unchained co-written and sung as a duo with indie soul singer Elayna Boynton.

For those of a similar name, see Anthony Hamilton (disambiguation).
Anthony Hamilton
Hamilton in December 2007
Background information
Birth nameAnthony Cornelius Hamilton
Born (1971-01-28) January 28, 1971
Charlotte, North Carolina, US
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active1992–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websitewww.anthonyhamilton.com

Career

Hamilton started singing in his church's choir at age 17. He attended South Mecklenburg college where he sang in their award-winning choir under the direction of Mark Setzer. In 1992, he met producer Mark Sparks who encouraged Hamilton to leave Charlotte and head to New York City where he signed with Andre Harrell's Uptown Records. Hamilton co-wrote the 1999 hit "U Know What's Up" for singer Donell Jones.[2] In 2000, he joined soul singer D'Angelo's international tour in promotion of the Voodoo album, on which he was a backup singer. On March 25, 2016, he released his ninth studio album What I'm Feelin' featuring guitarists Gary Clark, Jr. and Vince Gill with tracks produced by Mark Batson, Salaam Remi, and James Poyser.[3] After one week, the project ranked number two on the Billboard R&B chart, representing his highest career debut.[4] Hamilton works with the background singers the HamilTones,[5] often performing soul renditions of hip hop tracks.[6][7]

Roots

Hamilton was first introduced to mainstream audiences with his singing of the chorus of Nappy Roots 2002 single "Po' Folks" which earned a Grammy Award nomination for "Best Rap/Sung Collaboration" in 2003.[8] "Po' Folks" is the second single from the multi-platinum Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz album.[9] Hamilton followed up with three collaborations on Nappy Roots next Atlantic Records release Wooden Leather with "Sick & Tired", "Push On", "Organic" and then one feature on The Humdinger on the single "Down N' Out".[10][11] Nappy Roots and Hamilton have a song together called "Bluegrass Stain'd" with Mark Ronson that was released through Elektra Records.

2004 to present

Hamilton was featured on Jadakiss' 2004 hit "Why" (which was nominated for the "Best Rap/Song Collaboration" Grammy in 2005) and two of 2Pac's remixed songs. Hamilton contributed to 2002's "Thugz Mansion" (7" remix) and 2006's "Dear Mama" (Frank Nitty Remix). Hamilton's first compilation album, Soulife, was composed of songs recorded during the early part of his career. These previous works were released in June 2005. Ain't Nobody Worryin', his gold-selling third studio album, was released on December 13, 2005.

Hamilton was featured on a track from The RH Factor's 2003 album Hard Groove called "Kwah/Home". He appeared on Angie Stone's "Stay For A While" in 2004. He made a guest appearance on blues singer-guitarist Buddy Guy's 2005 album Bring 'Em In, contributing vocals to a cover version of Bob Dylan's 1969 "Lay Lady Lay," which featured Robert Randolph.

At the 2006 BET Awards, Hamilton won the BET J "Cool Like That" Award. Comedian Dave Chappelle had Hamilton as a musical guest on his show Chappelle's Show in episode 6, Season 2 that premiered on Comedy Central. He made a guest appearance on the UPN show All of Us in Season 2. Hamilton made a cameo as a soul singer in the film American Gangster, to whose soundtrack he contributed. During the 2008 BET Awards, Hamilton performed Al Green's "Tired of Being Alone" during a tribute to Green's career. Later in 2008, he was featured on The Recession the certified Gold selling album by Young Jeezy.[12]

In July 2011, Jill Scott released her hit single "So In Love" featuring Hamilton. The track spent 19 weeks at the number one spot on the Urban AC charts.

2012 found Hamilton on two successful Def Jam releases: Big K.R.I.T.'s Live from the Underground and Life Is Good by Nas, which debuted at #1 on Billboard 200.[13] Later on in 2012 Hamilton was featured on the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained in the track "Freedom" in a duo with indie soul singer Elayna Boynton. British DJ Ben Pearce sampled vocals from Hamilton's song, "Cornbread, Fish & Collard Greens" in his 2013 song, "What I Might Do". In 2015, Hamilton made a guest appearance on the song "That One", the first single from Teedra Moses' second album Cognac & Conversation.

Further demonstrating his diversity, Hamilton made a cameo appearance on the hit Fox show, EMPIRE, where he performed "Point of It All" as part of main character Luscious Lyon's proposal to his girlfriend.[14] The episode aired February 4, 2015.

On February 24, 2016, Hamilton performed at the last "In Performance at the White House" hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle as part of a tribute to iconic singer Ray Charles.[15] On March 25, he released his 9th studio album "What I'm Feelin", which he describes as an "emotional" cleanse reflecting on some of the hurdles he has faced.[16] Hamilton partnered with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store to release a deluxe version of the album sold online and in stores across the country.[17] On March 28, 2016 Hamilton performed on NPR's critically acclaimed Tiny Desk Concerts where he performed his new single "Amen," "Best of Me," "Cool," and "Charlene."[18] Chris Brown recruited Hamilton to perform on the "Legends" remix to his hit single "Back to Sleep," which was released on April 10, 2016.[19] On April 21st, Hamilton embarked on a nationwide tour with Fantasia.

Hamilton was featured on the track "Carnival" from virtual band Gorillaz' 2017 album Humanz.

On May 15, 2020, Hamilton released his single "Back Together" featuring the late Rick James via his new imprint My Music Box, in partnership with BMG. The song was co-written by Hamilton and Ed D. Kane, and produced by 9th Wonder. It is the first single off his new album that will release in summer 2020.[20]

Personal life

Hamilton has six sons Anthony Jr (1989), Romeiro (1991), Tristen (1997), twins Nolan Michael and Aaron Anthony (2010), and Princeton (2012).[21]

Dating since 2003, he married his background singer Tarsha McMillan in 2005.[22] On November 2, 2010, Hamilton and his wife Tarsha welcomed twin boys Nolan Michael and Aaron Anthony.[23] On his official Facebook page on June 11, 2012, Hamilton announced the birth of another son, Princeton Harris Hamilton. The couple announced on June 20, 2015, after 10 years of marriage, that they were divorcing.[24] Hamilton is also a good friend of singer-songwriter and record producer Kenn Orr.

Discography
Main article: Anthony Hamilton discography
Studio albums

Awards and nominations
BET Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2004 Anthony Hamilton Best New Artist Nominated
Best Male R&B Artist Nominated
2005 Nominated
"Why" (with Jadakiss) Best Collaboration Nominated
2006 Anthony Hamilton BET J Cool Like Dat Award Won
Best Male R&B Artist Nominated
Critic's Choice Movie Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2007 "Do You Feel Me" Best Song Nominated
Grammy Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2004 "Comin' from Where I'm From" Best Traditional R&B Performance Nominated
"Comin' from Where I'm From" Best R&B Song Nominated
"Comin' from Where I'm From" Best Contemporary R&B Album Nominated
2005 "Charlene" Best Male R&B Vocal Performance Nominated
2009 "You've Got The Love I Need" (with Al Green) Best Traditional R&B Performance Won
2010 "Soul Music" Best Traditional R&B Performance Nominated
"The Point Of It All" Best Male R&B Vocal Performance Nominated
"The Point Of It All" Best R&B Album Nominated
2013 "Back To Love" Best R&B Album Nominated
"Pray For Me" Best R&B Song Nominated
2014 "Best of Me" Best R&B Song Nominated
2017 "What I'm Feelin' (featuring The HamilTones)" Best Traditional R&B Performance Nominated
NAACP Image Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2004 Anthony Hamilton Outstanding New Artist Nominated
2005 Anthony Hamilton Outstanding Male Artist Nominated
"Charlene" Outstanding Song Nominated
MOBO Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2006 Himself Best Reggae Nominated
Soul Train Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2004 "Comin' From Where I'm From" Favorite Male R&B/Soul Single Nominated
Comin' From Where I'm From Favorite Male R&B/Soul Album Nominated
2005 "Charlene" Favorite Male R&B/Soul Single Nominated
2006 Soulife Favorite Male R&B/Soul Album Nominated

References
  1. Harrington, Richard (May 5, 2006). "Anthony Hamilton: Concerts and Music Events". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  2. "Tag Archives: Anthony Hamilton". article. rnbchronicles.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-31. Retrieved 2014-03-30.
  3. "Anthony Hamilton Reveals Fifth Album 'What I'm Feelin: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  4. "K. Michelle Earns Second No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, While Anthony Hamilton Scores His Highest-Charting Effort Ever". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  5. "Must See: Anthony Hamilton and the Hamiltones Give Gospel Spin to 2 Chainz's 'Watch Out'". Essence.com. 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2016-05-21.
  6. "Anthony Hamilton Explains Why He Loves To Do Trap Covers, Talks Being A Hip-Hop Head, & More". Global Grind. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  7. Thomas, Dexter. "Put some 'respeck' on Anthony Hamilton's name because he deserves it". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. Rynne M. Cowham (2013-02-07). "Black History Month: Grammy Award-Winning Anthony Hamilton to Lecture, Perform - University of the Pacific". Calendar.pacific.edu. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  10. "Anthony Hamilton | Credits". AllMusic. 1971-01-28. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  11. Toke, Daily. "Nappy Roots Feat. Anthony Hamilton – "Down 'N Out"". Smokingsection.uproxx.com. Archived from the original on 2014-05-04. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  12. "Gold & Platinum - February 25, 2011". RIAA. Archived from the original on 2007-06-26. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  13. "Nas, Life Is Good - XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  14. "'Empire' Recap, Episode 5: 'Dangerous Bonds'". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  15. "Watch Full Episodes Online of In Performance at The White House on PBS | Smithsonian Salutes Ray Charles: Preview". PBS. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  16. "Interview: Anthony Hamilton Opens Up About 'What I'm Feelin' Album". Vibe. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  17. "GRAMMYAward-Winning Soul R&B Singer-Songwriter Anthony Hamilton to Release Exclusive Deluxe Album at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store". www.crackerbarrel.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-14. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  18. "Anthony Hamilton: Tiny Desk Concert". NPR.org. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  19. "Chris Brown, Tank, R. Kelly, & Anthony Hamilton "Back To Sleep (Remix)" (NEW MUSIC)". Global Grind. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  20. "Anthony Hamilton Shares New Song 'Back Together' Featuring Rick James".
  21. "Singer Anthony Hamilton to Be a Dad!". UsMagazine.com.
  22. "Where Did Our Love Go? Anthony Hamilton's Wife Talks Motherhood & Marriage In New Book". MyBrownBaby.com. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  23. "Anthony Hamilton and Wife Tarsha Welcome Twin Boys". Essence.com. 2010-11-03. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  24. Yolanda Sangweni; Charli Penn (2015-07-21). "Anthony Hamilton and Wife Divorce, Hamilton Responds to Divorce". Essence.com. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
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