Anthony Hamilton

Some things, thankfully, never go out of style. Case in point: the bona fide soul of Anthony Hamilton. That distinctive, Grammy Award–winning voice is back on The Point of it All, Hamilton’s third official studio album. Like Ain’t Nobody Worryin’ and Comin’ From Where I’m From before it, this new album once again plays up the singer-songwriter’s natural talent: rich, soul-steeped vocals breathing sonorous life into emotion-packed lyrics.

Attracting fans right from the start, Hamilton’s unique voice draws its soulful force and storytelling inspiration from such pioneers as Bill Withers, Bobby Womack, Al Green, Johnny Guitar Watson, and Marvin Gaye. Instead of taking a cookie-cutter approach, however, Hamilton paved his own road to fame. It’s a road that stretches back to Charlotte, where a 10-year-old Hamilton began singing in the local church before hitting the local nightclub and talent show circuits in his teens.

A trek in1993 to New York City resulted in Hamilton signing with Uptown Records, the then-home to Mary J. Blige and Jodeci. Thus began a six-label odyssey that tested Hamilton’s patience and perseverance. Rather than dwell on the negative, the singer honed his chops, contributing background vocals on D’Angelo’s worldwide Voodoo tour, and making guest appearances on songs by Eve, Xzibit, and 2Pac.

Hamilton’s career-molding break arrived in 2002 when he sang the infectious hook on the Nappy Roots’ “Po’ Folks.” That performance netted the singer his first Grammy nomination in the category for “Best Rap/Sung Collaboration”—and a new label, Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def imprint. A year later his platinum debut, Comin’ From Where I’m From, was released.

Not only a fan favorite, Hamilton is also the go-to singer for other artists in a variety of genres: R&B / soul, gospel, hip-hop, pop, and country. In addition to new albums by Young Jeezy (The Recession) and the Nappy Roots (The Humdinger), Hamilton guests on upcoming projects by Dr. Dre, Nat “King” Cole, and Fonzworth Bentley.

Over the last several years, Hamilton has collaborated with a who’s who in music, including Al Green, Josh Turner, Keyshia Cole, John Rich (Big & Rich), Santana, and Mint Condition. A recent highlight was when Hamilton made a cameo appearance in the Oscar-nominated film American Gangster, starring Denzel Washington, as well as his performance on the soundtrack’s lead song, the Diane Warren–penned “Do You Feel Me.”

In addition to giving back through music, Hamilton participates in various national and local outreach initiatives, including his own TASTE Foundation (Take a Step to Elevate). And while his future plans include writing and executive producing feature films, Hamilton remains committed to music, founding Mister’s Music Recordings—an independent record label—with his wife, vocalist Tarsha McMillian.