Grammy Award winner, RnB crooner Anthony Hamilton is headed to South Africa to celebrate Women’s month. The song-writer, record producer, actor, will be coming to South Africa for the second time. He is scheduled to perform at Ellis Park Arena (formerly known as Standard Bank Arena) on the 16th of August, Cape Town ICC on the 17th of August, East London Buffalo Park on the 18th of August and will end the tour at Peoples Park in Durban on the 19th of August. Hamilton scored a platinum debut with Coming From Where I’m From in 2003, featuring the chart-topping hit “Charlene”. Two years later, he returned with gold-certified sophomore set Ain’t Nobody Worryin’, which spun off the No.1 hit “Can’t Let Go”. Then in 2008 came The Point Of It All with another hit “Her Heart”.
“Having children,” says the father of six, including year-old twins, “gives you another burst of energy, a new perspective – Back to Love, fourth album with smash hits like; “Woo”, “Pray For Me”, recently the No.1 most added single at urban adult radio. That energy pulsates throughout “Woo,” a feel-good, up-tempo ode to a woman whose sexiness stops men in their tracks. “It’s just another way of saying ‘Good God almighty or Lord have mercy,” says Hamilton with a laugh. “You’re minding your business, and lo and behold a woo walks by who messes up your whole focus.” Hamilton’s focus for Back to Love, however, was definitely clear: crafting a broader, more energetic sound without compromising his soul-drenched vocals, engaging melodies and lyrical imagery. Aiding him on that mission was his longtime producer and “So in Love” collaborator Kelvin Wooten, Salaam Remi, Jerry Wonda and, for the first time, industry legend Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds.
“Some people write songs to be hits,” says Hamilton, a skillful songwriter in his own right. “Some people write songs because they love it … and that brings a different feeling to the music. I was looking for the latter. That’s why working on this album was so liberating.”
Among the Hamilton-described “firecrackers and life-reflecting songs” comprising Back to Love are the OutKast-influenced “Sucka For You” and “Best of Me” – both invigorating examples of the singer’s rejuvenation. His reflective nature is embraced on “Never Let Go”, a duet with singer/songwriter Keri Hilson and “Life Has a Way”, originally written for the movie “Pursuit of Happyness.” Another standout is the poignant ballad “Pray for Me”. Co-written by Babyface, Tony Dixon and Hamilton, the track’s emotional lyrics about a lost love (“Dear God/If you’re listening now/I need you to do a thing for me … I need you to bring her back to me”) and gospel-influenced melody are signature Hamilton.
Overall, Back to Love showcases Hamilton’s distinctive, multi-faceted voice. “There are different tones in my voice that people have fallen in love with; I can go hard or real soft,” says the singer. “I pay attention to that.” Afropulse Entertainment promoter is not only excited about bringing Anthony Hamilton to South Africa but also adds; The timing is perfect – he has just released his new album Back To Love which is doing extremely well not only overseas but locally too. Anthony Hamilton is loved by South African audience both males and females, young and old and different races too. And lastly; he will be celebrating Women’s Month with us here in South Africa.
Pic:ebony