“St. Louis has a lot of heart and soul,” said Grammy-nominated singer Anthony Hamilton. “And they show me love every time that I come to town.”
The acclaimed soul singer/songwriter will perform this Saturday, July 5 at 8 p.m. on the Budweiser mainstage of Live on the Levee.
Like the rising waters that forced the annual concert series from the bottom of the Arch to Soldier’s Memorial, Hamilton’s rise to the top of the R&B music scene has been slow and steady – yet he is an undeniably visible force to be reckoned with now that he has reached his crest.
When Hamilton had breakthrough success in 2003 with his CD Comin’ From Where I’m From (including hits like the title track, “Charlene” and “Sista Big Bones”), he was labeled the latest overnight success in urban contemporary music. His raspy, down-home soul voice and passionate lyrics were a refreshing remedy to the overtly sexual and superficial R&B trend, picking up where neo-soul left off.
Few people realized that Hamilton’s overnight success was 10 years in the making – and full of heartaches and disappointments.
“First off, when I got signed with my dream label, it was an eye opener that it was all possible,” Hamilton said.
He was signed to Andre Harrell’s Uptown MCA back in 1993 – at the peak of what was home to the urban music elite in the early 1990s. Fresh, new artists like Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Guy, Heavy D. and the Boyz were on the talent roster.
While the careers of artists like Blige continued to skyrocket (and young intern Sean “Puffy” Combs was groomed to be a mogul), Hamilton sat on the sidelines.
“I thought, ‘This is going to be really big,’” Hamilton said. “When that didn’t happen, it felt funny but I didn’t have fear. I knew that I was going to be placed somewhere – but I had to learn patience.”
Hamilton bore through the pain of personal and professional heartache, but he eventually became the poster child for the saying “good things come to those who wait.”
His faith allowed him to press forward with his musical career. In 2003, when the industry finally took notice, it did so in the highest form possible. Hamilton received Grammy nominations for his album and collaboration with Southern rap group the Nappy Roots.
Five years later, Hamilton is on top of the R&B world. Most recently he collaborated with soul legend Al Green on his latest album and participated in the tribute to the singer at the BET Awards last week in L.A.
“We had a kindred spirit – talkin’ and laughin’ and good times,” Hamilton said about his collaboration with Green. “It was like working with Uncle Al, and doing the tribute was an extension of our happy time and our happy hour.”
Hamilton is also multitasking in the music industry. He is presently working on his third studio album The Point of It All while launching a record label, Mister’s Music. His wife, Tarsha – who is also works full-time as one of Hamilton’s background singers- will serve as its flagship artist.
Hamilton offered simple advice as he reflected on his own journey from a career drought to being flooded with opportunities in the industry.
“Keep at it – keep knocking the walls down,” Hamilton said. “Use that downtime. Turn it around and put that in your music. That’s what’s people will fall in love with.”
He also had words of reciprocity for the fans that are waiting for him to take the Budweiser stage this weekend: “We love y’all and can’t wait to get back and bring some chicken that’s not too salty.”
Partying with a purpose
Charmaine Chapman Society, The United Way’s African American Leadership Initiative, is partnering with Skybox, Celebrate St. Louis, and Sauce Magazine for party with a purpose at Skybox Sports Bar and Grill on Laclede’s Landing for the Anthony Hamilton concert after-party, Saturday, July 5, 10 p.m., Skybox Sports Bar and Grill, 800 N. Third Street on Laclede’s Landing.
Stay for the US Bank/Enterprise Rent-A-Car fireworks following the show and then join us at Skybox for the official after-party. Please note that Anthony Hamilton is not guaranteed to be in attendance, but lots of your friends and colleagues will be there! A $10 cover charge will benefit the Charmaine Chapman Society’s contribution to the United Way campaign.
For more information, contact Orvin Kimbrough at kimbrougho@stl.unitedway.org.
Fair Saint Louis…LIVE Off the Levee at 8 p.m. The concert will take place in the area around Soldier’s Memorial. The area is bounded by Tucker Boulevard on the east, Market Street on the south, Olive Street on the north and 15th Street on the west. For more information and a full line up of the acts – which include Boyz II Men and Joss Stone – visit www.celebratestlouis.org.
