Thug Life Army

After struggling for a decade amidst false starts, folding record labels and singing backup for artists ranging from D''Angelo and icon rapper Tupac Shakur, to the queen of Philly, Eve; Charlotte, N.C. native Anthony Hamilton is finally getting his due.

Comin'' From Where I''m From, his first release since 1996, went gold. He's collaborated with Twista, Nelly and Nappy Roots, and now he's toured with soul legends Gerald Levert and Frankie Beverly.

With a manly ache in his voice, a jumping rhythm and a down-home sense of humor (Cornbread, Fish, and Collard Greens), Hamilton creates vintage-flavored R&B. It's a sound that Hamilton said doesn''t exactly fit in with the trendy neo-soul sound.

Q: What is it about the neo-soul tag you don''t agree with?

A: I just think, neo? My music, it's not new. Erykah Badu and Jill Scott have more of a new twist to their music. What I''m doing is church, soul and R&B that has been around for years. I''m what people sample. I don''t consider it new.

Q: You''ve had label setbacks and two unreleased albums since you left for New York some two decades ago. Were you ever so frustrated you wanted to throw in the towel and come back home?

A: I''m human. We all get frustrated. We''re programmed to get things in a certain amount of time. When it don''t go according to exactly how you want it to be, then you get frustrated. But the bigger picture was in reach for me. So I just kept being patient, working harder. There were little signs letting me know it was attainable. Every time the door shut I just worked harder, made louder music.

Q: What's next after the tour?

A: I look forward to creating the new album. I have a duet with Angie Stone from her new album Stone Age. I also have the next single for Jadakiss coming out. It's a very political song. It's definitely going to create some turbulence, which is good. I also did a song with Talib Kweli and Common.

Q: Tell me about the Jadakiss single. How is it political?

A: It's call Why. It's asking a lot of questions: Why does the government allow things to happen in a certain pattern? Why do people think in a certain pattern? Why do certain people succeed and others don''t? Why did Halle Berry have to sleep with a white man to get an Oscar? Why did Denzel have to be crooked before he took (the Oscar)?

Q: Why do you think so?

A: It's just certain things, subliminal patterns. When we do succeed and win an award, it sets up the next black actor to be interpreted a certain way. You can''t do it with a movie like, like Love Jones. That was a good movie, a good love story. Why couldn''t Love Jones receive an award? Two Can Play That Game was a great movie. But then you turn some black woman on her knees sleeping with some white name — it's not really positive. It just creates a mental thing for up-and-coming talent. Like wow, I might have to do it this way if I want to be known worldwide and receive this Oscar. Source