Club Shay Shay - Anthony Hamilton Part 2

Summary

Club Shay Shay – Anthony Hamilton Part 2

Podcast: Club Shay Shay
Host: Shannon Sharpe (iHeartPodcasts and Shay Shay Media)
Guest: Anthony Hamilton
Date: November 12, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and wide-ranging conversation, soul legend Anthony Hamilton joins Shannon Sharpe for the second part of his Club Shay Shay interview. They discuss Hamilton’s musical journey, collaborative spirit, family life, personal struggles, business lessons, and connections with icons from Al Green to President Obama. Hamilton’s candid stories and warmth give insight into the soul behind the music—and the importance of staying true, both as an artist and a father.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Grief, Angie Stone, and Being There for Friends

[02:41–04:34]

• Hamilton shares the difficulty of singing at Angie Stone’s funeral, recounting facing his fears to view her body and finding peace in her appearance.
• He recalls a cherished memory with Angie: heading out of a New York studio into a blizzard, struggling to find a cab. Their “country” background made the city snowstorm a funny misadventure.

“She had a smirk on her face. Like, I told y’all, I’m serious, man. In all Angie Stone fashion.” —Anthony Hamilton, [03:14]

• On D’Angelo’s losses (mother and father), Hamilton voices empathy and hope for comfort and healing.

Collaboration Across Genres & Risk-Taking

[05:20–07:03]

• Hamilton describes seamless transitions between genres (rap, country, rock), drawing on authentic love and understanding of each.
• He’s currently working on a country album, inspired by his own roots and artists like Beyoncé who risk audience expectations.

“People want to control your destiny and your happiness… No, I know who I want to be, and I know all the many me’s I want to be.” —Anthony Hamilton, [06:42]

Brushing Shoulders with Legends

[07:03–10:54]

• Stories include visiting Prince’s Paisley Park, late-night jam sessions with music royalty, and moments at the White House with President Obama.
• Meeting Nelson Mandela was planned but fell through due to Mandela’s illness. Hamilton met Mandela’s family and felt the leader’s spirit in his home.

“His house… the spirit of who he was, it was permeating throughout that house. It was very strong.” —Anthony Hamilton, [10:00]

Nerves, Artistic Excellence, and Songwriting

[10:54–14:24]

• Hamilton opens up about feeling more pressure singing at award shows, due to the immediate judgment of peers.
• He distinguishes between being a great artist and a great writer; great records can be made regardless of who pens them.
• On writing “You Know What’s Up” for Donell Jones, Hamilton describes writing specifically for an artist versus bringing a unique flavor that pushes boundaries.
• He explains the evolution of songwriting credit splits, from by-the-line negotiations to the modern more collaborative, even distribution.

Behind the Music: Tupac, Song Placement, and Writing for Others

[14:24–16:46]

• Details the process of writing and singing on Tupac’s “Thugz Mansion,” channeling what he believed Pac would want to hear about heaven.
• Hamilton reflects on balancing writing for someone’s style without stifling his originality.

“They called you in for a reason, for you to give them something a little different.” —Anthony Hamilton, [15:45]

Grammy Wins & Working with Al Green

[17:07–22:41]

• Winning a Grammy with the legendary Al Green stands out as a career highlight, most gratifying for the validation it brought his family.

“The moment I said, you know, I’m singing with Al Green… they were like, ‘Oh, baby, I knew you was gonna make it.’” —Anthony Hamilton, [22:25]

Eclectic Collaborations & Dream Pairings

[22:41–27:02]

• Hamilton lists his diverse range of collaborators (The Roots, Nas, Rick Ross, Fantasia, Jill Scott, etc.), emphasizing a desire to create with those “moving the needle.”
• Dream collaborations include Lauryn Hill (“I’ll wait on her. Same outfit, ’cause I picked it out for her.” – [26:36]) and unreleased songs with John Legend, Ty Dolla $ign, and Jacquees.

Family Ties & Early Career

[29:35–32:27]

• Hamilton discusses his familial connections with Jodeci, realizing they were related after both achieved success, and the wild experience of touring with them early in his career.
• Transitioned from opening act to headliner—“I can shut the curtain now.” —Anthony Hamilton, [32:09]

Reflections on Touring & Who's Next

[32:27–34:11]

• Hamilton praises past tours (Maxwell, Joe, Fantasia) and names new acts he admires (such as upcoming singer EJ—“the chosen voice… he sounds like Johnny Taylor.” —Anthony Hamilton, [33:47])
• Expresses admiration for artists like Michelle Ndegeocello and the impact of great venues (Hollywood Bowl, Chastain Park).

Industry Realities: Streaming, Money, and Ownership

[44:00–51:02]

• Candid about the financial drawbacks of streaming for artists. “They trying to kill us… robbing you… you have to spin so many times to get anything worth taking home.” —Anthony Hamilton, [44:08]
• Reminisces about the tactile experience of buying music on vinyl, cassettes, or CDs.
• Opens up about business lessons: greatest purchase was his first home, and he values investments and financial advice over “just having” money.

“If you don’t know how to invest it the right way, then it’s just… sitting there and it’s not really doing a lot.” —Anthony Hamilton, [49:54]

Upbringing, Trauma, and Family

[57:56–73:58]

• Hamilton raises six boys, four of whom live with him most of the time; he’s hands-on as a father, handling school drop-offs, meetings, and tutoring arrangements.
• Describes the challenge of ending a marriage with kids involved and commends the value of both parental presence and healthy relationships.
• Recounts his own fraught upbringing: being adopted at 14 by a family friend, dealing with unresolved anger, and witnessing a traumatic shooting at age seven.

“I just felt like you being a parent, you should know better. You should be able to… do a little different.” —Anthony Hamilton, [72:16]

Staying Humble, Giving Back, and Maintaining Connections

[76:31–79:32]

• Hometown pride in singing for the Charlotte Hornets and support from Michael Jordan.
• His journey from barber school (“I’m good with the clippers!” —[74:36]) to keeping his sons’ hair fresh.
• Parting gifts and shout-outs to up-and-coming talents from Charlotte; emphasis on gratitude and supporting the next generation.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I know what it means, and I know what it should feel like, and I love it. So, you know, it’s just… It’s an extension of who I am. I never feel like I’m out of my character.” —Anthony Hamilton on genre-hopping, [05:50]
• “Do you ever get impressed?... I’m impressed to be right here on the show, Club Shay Shay.” —Anthony Hamilton, [23:41]
• “When you bring writers in, sometimes you get in the studio with people who are greedy… those are the writers you want to stay away from.” —Anthony Hamilton, [12:52]
• On touring with Jodeci: “I thought I wanted to be in the music business… but the amount of women… I was a little nervous… Not ready.” —Anthony Hamilton, [30:31]
• “The more you make, the more somebody need it.” —Anthony Hamilton on wealth, [49:30]
• About parenting: “I want to give you a voice… guide you based on who you are as opposed to making you be who I think you should be.” —Anthony Hamilton, [68:48]
• “I don’t want them to resent me later on when money can’t… fix it.” —Anthony Hamilton, [58:57]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Singing for Angie Stone’s funeral: [02:41–03:37]
• Crossing genres and future of collaborations: [05:20–06:19]
• Career highlight – working with Al Green: [21:22–22:41]
• Family, divorce, and parenting reflections: [57:56–60:28]
• Business and ownership lessons: [49:30–51:02]
• Music industry and streaming reality: [44:00–45:40]
• Early life trauma and adoption: [71:08–73:32]
• Shout-outs to emerging artists & hometown pride: [78:46–79:47]

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Tone & Takeaways

Hamilton’s tone is open, genuine, and warm throughout. There’s plenty of laughter, Southern storytelling, and honest conversations about hardship, legacy, and love for music and family. He’s humble in his reflections, passionate about his craft, and resolutely grounded despite stardom.

For listeners, this episode offers an intimate look at the realities of a soul icon—his struggles, joys, values, and the ongoing grind for greatness and authenticity.

Transcript

[Jason Timf]

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[Anthony Hamilton]

I turned off news altogether.

[PayPal Announcer]

I hate to say it, but I.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Don'T trust much of anything. It's the rage bait. It feels like it's trying to divide people. If we got clear facts, maybe we can calm down a little.

[Interviewer]

NBC News brings you clear reporting. Let's meet at the Facts.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Let's move forward from there.

[Interviewer]

NBC News Reporting for America.

[PayPal Announcer]

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[Anthony Hamilton]

See paypal.com promoterms Subject to approval. Learn more at paypal.com payin4paypal inc.nmls910457 thank.

[Interviewer]

You for coming back. Part two is underway. Also, someone you were very close to. Angie Stone.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah man.

[Interviewer]

And she tragically lost her life in an automobile accident. And then you had to sing. You sung at the funeral, singing both of them.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, that was pretty hard. And, you know, and they wanted me to go and view her body and that before going to view it, I was just like, I don't want to see her all messed up and mangled up. I just don't want to see that.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

It's hard enough that, you know, she's gone and the way she left.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And so she's like, no, just come, please. And I went. And she looked amazing. I'd never seen anybody lay to rest looking so peaceful. And she had a smirk on her face. Like, I told y', all, I'm serious, man. In all Angie Stone fashion.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

So it was just good to be able to be there for a family, man.

[Interviewer]

What's one of your favorite Angie stories?

[Anthony Hamilton]

So me and Angie were working on the duet that we had, and we were in New York City down in the Village, and it was. We had let out the studio at 4am and it was a blizzard.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

So we had to all get in the same cab first. We had to get a cab that wanted to pick our black tails up. And so we end up, you know, slipping and sliding in the snow. And that was one of the funniest things because, you know, Angie, she almost busts her butt, and we laugh about it. And just being on tour, we did a silk and sandpaper tour. So we always would bring that blizzard, the snowstorm in New York City. You know, country. We country. We wasn't used to that.

[Interviewer]

Right. Angie and d' Angelo have. So, I mean, think it's gotta be tough for him. He loses mom tragically now. Tragic passing of his father, and now he's motherless and fatherless. I can't.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I can't imagine.

[Interviewer]

I can't even imagine it.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I can't. I wouldn't want to want my kids to ever have to go through that. Well, anyway, yeah. Yeah, I just. I just pray for him. I just make God comfort him in a way. Send him the best person that can help men that.

[Interviewer]

Did you go to the Drake and the Drake d' Angelo show in Toronto?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely. Yeah, I did. Yes. Actually, I went with Drake. Did you see d'? Angelo?

[Interviewer]

Okay, yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I was down there working with Drake, and he was like, d' Angelo's in town. It's like, let's go. So we all, you know, got in this big car, Bentley or Rose, whatever, one of them big cars, taller than me. And we went and we. And we Saw the show, man. Right? Yeah, it was. It was pretty cool. It was pretty cool.

[Interviewer]

You one of these unique artists that you can really cross over. Like, you mentioned you can do rap. You collab, you know, Jadakiss and Drake and some of these others. Is that something that you always strive. Did you always want to be like. You know what I mean? Collabing with other R and B, that's easy. Cause we've seen that so much. But to see the crossover appeal which.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You have, you know, I always knew I love music, and I understood it if I heard it. If it's a rap song, I know how to be Anthony Hamilton on it.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

The country songs I've done with Josh Turner and John Rich from Big and Rich. I'm a country boy. I know it rock Carlos Santana. I know. I know what it means, and I know what it should feel like, and I love it. So, you know, it's just. It's an extension of who I am. I never feel like I'm out of my character.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

So it's just. It's fun.

[Interviewer]

Would you do a country album?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely. I have so many country songs, and I'm actually working on one.

[Interviewer]

Really?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Cause I think it's so impressive because not a whole lot of people are willing to take that risk, that you be one genre, and I know you for this, and that I'm willing to step out of my comfort zone and do that. I tilt my hat off to Beyonce.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely.

[Interviewer]

Because she's at the top of. She's at the top of the here. She's here. She's a pantheon. And she say, you know what? I'm gonna do something else. I'm gonna do this.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. You have to be brave and to today's society, because people want to control your destiny and your happiness and dictate who you should be for them. When he's like, no, I know who I want to be, and I know all the many me's I want to be. So you just have to go for it.

[Interviewer]

When you was at, I think Drake calls his house the Embassy, you go there and you recording. Do you ever get in awe when you meet people? You've met a lot of famous people. You had a conversation. You was at the White House, and you met President Obama and you met Mr. Mandela, and you met all these. Do you ever get. Do you ever get in odd. Do you ever, like, man, I'm just a country boy from North Carolina, and here I am. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm Him.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. Yeah. The first time going to Prince house was like, whoa, this is in Genesis, huh?

[Interviewer]

In Minneapolis.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I went. I went to the Genasis house.

[Interviewer]

That's.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, I went to the. What's the name of the studio?

[Interviewer]

Paisley Park.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Paisley Park. I went to Paisley Park.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

His house is in la.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

So after the award shows, he has these big jam sessions. So you had Stevie Wonder on Keys, Quest Love on drums, like everybody.

[Interviewer]

Wow.

[Anthony Hamilton]

There after these shows. And he wants me to sing, but I'm trying to party. I'm trying to get a little drink and go down here in the hot. He would always fire me, tell somebody to fire me, to make me come and sing. I remember one time I was singing the Lord's Prayer. He was. That Anthony. He must have. He must have got in some trouble or something. He was a funny cat, man. We were sitting and watching some of YouTube. Me, him, and Shelby Johnson. Shelby J. Who was one of the last singers to sing with Prince, but another country, just a Southern girl.

[Interviewer]

Is it true that he wouldn't let people eat meat, drink, smoke at one of his. At his sessions?

[Anthony Hamilton]

So d' Angelo was supposed to go. We were supposed to go meet Prince years ago with d', Angelo, and we were all excited. But when he said all that, you know, the drinking and the smoking and all that, D was like, man, forget that, you know? But it wasn't out of no disrespect. It was just like, I don't want to be uncomfortable and I don't want to make y' all uncomfortable. Well, Prince turned. He turned it around, though, eventually, you know, we were able. He had food, he had drinks, and just. I think he started to change.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know, I think when you start to grow and realize, like, hey, my path is my path and yours is yours, so we can all be here at the same time and have a good time.

[Interviewer]

What was it like meeting Mr. Mandela? We know his story. 20 plus years in Robbins island, what he fought for, the having the work and the rock quarries being beaten. And still he forgave his oppressors.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know what? I was supposed to have met him, and he had taken sick. So as I was flying out, basically, they were taking him to the house that he was born in. So unfortunately, I didn't get to meet him, but I met his family, the rest of all his kids and family. I sat in his house on his couch, and I was like, this is. This is amazing. You know, the spirit. The spirit of who he was.

[Interviewer]

Yes.

[Anthony Hamilton]

It was permeating throughout that House. It was very strong.

[Interviewer]

Do you ever get nervous around famous people?

[Anthony Hamilton]

I think it's harder for me to sing at award shows.

[Interviewer]

Really?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. For some reason, I feel like they. It's so much judgment.

[Interviewer]

They judging you.

[Anthony Hamilton]

They judging me, you know, And. And I don't get a chance to. You don't get a chance to warm it up.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

So with my shows, I can coast, warm it up and get to where. My sweet spot.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You got to be able to be on. Go of the muscle. Yeah. And I think that's one of the. The challenges that. That took the longest.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

You got an opportunity to perform in front of President Obama and. And.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And.

[Interviewer]

And Michelle Obama.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, absolutely. A few. Few times I've been to the White House. He invited me to his birthday party as well after that. That was. That was pretty surreal, too. Yeah, yeah, yeah. They take your phone so you ain't in there taking pictures and all that. So he was able to walk around.

[Interviewer]

And just be and have a good time.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely. Came and talked to me, and I took my son, one of my sons, and he came and spoke to us for at least a good 10 minutes.

[Interviewer]

Wow.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Just down to earth, man. Yeah. And I met Michelle a few different times.

[Interviewer]

Getting to your writing is. It is only natural. Can you be a great artist without being a great writer?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely. I think a hit record can change anybody's life, whether you wrote it or anybody else. I think the music makes way for the artist to be either great or just mediocre or good.

[Interviewer]

You wrote write on Darnell Jones. You know what's up.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. Co wrote that. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

So I'm always fascinated is that when you write a song, do you have anybody particular in mind when you're co. When you, like, if you just write a song, do you have somebody particularly in mind that you want to give this piece to?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely. A lot of times you do. A lot of times, just like, this sounds like R. Kelly. This sounds like Beyonce. This sounds like her or Jasmine Sullivan. You. You hear that person's voice because the music represents a different. A certain sound.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And for the Daniel Jones, we actually went in to write for him.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

So these guys are the same writers that wrote for Jaheem. And so they had a really nice sound, but I didn't know that song was gonna be a success. Right.

[Interviewer]

So when you go. So let's just say, for the sake of argument, I'm an R and B singer, and I call people in. I was like, look, I want you guys to help me write something. For my album.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

So we invite. Whether you invite five, six, seven people in, and you guys sit around and they get. Do you just go, or do they give you kind of a direction to go in?

[Anthony Hamilton]

I think you. You start throwing out ideas, okay. And sometimes that's challenging because, you know, their ideas can. Can kind of, you know, make you lose your train of thought.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And sometimes you get in the studio with people who are greedy there because they know if you wrote back in the day, if you wrote more. More words, you get more percentage.

[Interviewer]

Okay?

[Anthony Hamilton]

And so those are the writers you want to stay away from. But I think, you know, you throw ideas out, whatever's the strongest tends to stick out. I remember being in writing. Why for Jada Kids, I think it was Pharrell, and a whole bunch of people were in the studio, a lot of producers and writers, and it was me that went in and started saying, oh, that I've been given it's pain that I've been living. And everybody had been trying to get that hook right. And it wasn't until I did that that it. It's like. That's the strongest thing we've heard, right? And it's different. So it just takes that one line that, like, I'm a dog, I'm a mutt, right? When you hear a line like that, it's like, okay, we got to pay more attention to this writer, right? Because they got. They got it, you know? So it just. It depends on the session, the sound, the music, and the group of people you're with.

[Interviewer]

So you said the old days, the more lines you wrote, the more you got paid. Is it still like that?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Currently, I think now people are more. You know, it's more of a. Hey, let's split it down the middle, okay? Because the paperwork is a headache. Yeah, I wrote 0.5%. Let's just split it three ways. If the three of us. And I think a lot of times it's more of a barter system.

[Interviewer]

Now you wrote and sung on Tupac Thug's mansion.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

When you hear that. So, I mean, how did. How did you. I mean, I wouldn't. I ain't gonna lie, and I ain't. I ain't picturing you in pac.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know, man, I'm a thug. I'm a thug thug out here in these streets. Nah, man. Tupac was one of my favorites. Yes. He had a different delivery man. And when I got the call to be a part of that, I jumped on it right away and just started writing. Ain't no Place I'd rather be Only places right for me I stopped crumbed out paradise in the sky I was like, what would he want me to say? And how would the heaven that he's speaking about, what would it look like? And so I just had to go from Pac's, you know, perspective, point of view, or his idea.

[Interviewer]

The idea.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And.

[Interviewer]

And. And that's what you came. So you have, like, when you say, when you're writing, I kind of have an idea of who this person is and kind of the direction that they'd like to go. So. And you says a lot of time you have to be careful. Cause it'll suppress your natural ability to write. Because you get so caught up in trying to write something specifically for them.

[Anthony Hamilton]

A lot of times you do that and you miss the mark. Sometimes you think, oh, I'm gonna go in and write a song. Like what? He's already used to something in that vein. But no, they called you in, called.

[Interviewer]

You for a reason.

[Anthony Hamilton]

For a reason for you to give them something a little different.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

To get them out of their, you know, out of their box.

[Interviewer]

Do you like for them to say, look, you write, don't worry. We're gonna take what we take. But you just write. Don't worry about that. You're writing this for me about whatever you just. I want you to be. I brought you in here because you're Anthony Hamilton and you have an ear, you have an eye. I just want you to do that.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. I like when, you know, you get that freedom. But after you do it, a certain amount of times, you. You have some success under your belt, you kind of gonna go in there and do it how you do it.

[Interviewer]

Anyway.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Now I'm gonna do the Anthony Hamilton every time.

[Interviewer]

Right?

[Anthony Hamilton]

So. And if they don't need that much, then I'll dial it back. But from the gate, I'm gonna give.

[Interviewer]

Them what I think and the Tupac song. Did you feel pressure?

[Anthony Hamilton]

I think I was so excited that it. It outshined the pressure. You know what I mean? Like, this is Tupac. I gotta get this. You better not fail this one. Don't mess this up, man.

[Interviewer]

I wouldn't, you know, and did, like, research. You like, man, that's Anthony Hamilton.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, yeah, man.

[Interviewer]

Do you get surprised? Do people get surprised when they know that certain songs that you like, man, I ain't know you wrote that.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, yeah, a lot of times. Certain songs. Yeah. Especially the Downell Jones people didn't know that I had a hand in that.

[Interviewer]

You got to win your grammy with Al Green. And you know Al Green. Hey, we grow. If you grew up in the South, Come on, man.

[Anthony Hamilton]

That was what that was one of. That's one of the most exciting times in my career.

[Interviewer]

Really?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely.

[Jason Timf]

Hey Jason. Tim Fear the NBA on prime is back this Friday with another exciting Emirates NBA cup doubleheader. First Bam. And a bio in the Heat take on Jalen Brunson in the Knicks. Then Steph Curry and the warriors square off against Wemby and the Spurs. If you're not a Prime member, just sign up for a 30 day free trial. Heat Mix Warrior spurs Coverage starts at 6:30pm Eastern only on Prime. Restrictions apply. See Amazon.com Amazon prime for details.

[Lenovo Pro Announcer]

Pro drivers live for race day, but for small business owners, every day is race day. That's why going pro with Lenovo Pro matters one on one advice, IT solutions and customized hardware powered by Intel Core Ultra processors. Keep your business on the right track. Business goes pro with Lenovo Pro. Sign up for [e-mail] Pro Lenovo Lenovo.

[PayPal Announcer]

This podcast is sponsored by PayPal. Okay, let's talk holiday shopping. When you want to make the most of your Money, head to PayPal's app before you check out. They give you the flexibility to pay in four no fees, no interest. And this is big. Bigger than the 12 foot snowman on your lawn right now. You can get 5% cash back when you pay later with PayPal. So whether it's the must have merch or for that signed jersey you've been eyeing, PayPal helps you make the most of your money this holiday. Save this offer in the PayPal app expires 1231.

[Anthony Hamilton]

See paypal.com promoterms Subject to approval. Learn more at paypal.com payin4paypal inc.nmls9104 Today's.

[Degree Cool Rush Announcer]

Episode is brought to you by a scent that's made a legendary comeback degree. Original Cool Rush. The OG is back and better than ever. Cool Rush isn't just a scent, it's a movement fan favorite. It's the kind of fragrance that guys remember, ask for by name and rave about online. It's bold, fresh and delivers all day sweat protection with that cool, crisp vibe that made it a legend. Whether you're heading to the gym, the office, or just trying to stay fresh on a long day, Cool Rush has your back. It's the go to for millions and for good reason. So if you haven't tried it yet, or if you've been waiting for a sign, this is it. Head to your Local Walmart or Target and Grab degree Cool Rush, the fan favorite scent from the world's number one antiperspirant brand.

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[Anthony Hamilton]

To work with Al Green yeah, so I was in the studio with Al. So they invited, they said if he say the certain word, a code word, that means he's ready to go, right? I mean, he ain't feeling you. So I didn't ask for no pictures. I didn't do none of that. So we're in the studio. He come in, hey, how you doing, Al? And so it's time to sing. And you know, Al's on the mic here and I'm on the mic over here, and I'm like, I'm about to lose it. Not only am I excited for myself, but my mom and my aunts now they think I'm somebody. Right early in my career, they was like, cut out all that racket. Cut out all that noise. The moment I said, you know, I'm singing with Al Green. I'm doing a song with Al Green. Oh, baby. I knew he was gonna make it. I was already. Y' all had already Been singing. But this was big for. For my whole family.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Cause we did. Because in the South, I mean, Al is Al. Is it Everybody, My mom, my aunts, every. My grandmother knew who Al Green was. Like, hey, put that Al Green on.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolute spending my day. Ah. You know what I mean? So, I mean, I still get chill. I want. I want my picture. Al. Al Green. Ms. Al Green, Rev. Wherever you are out there, I want my picture.

[Interviewer]

Now, I'm looking at some of the collabs that you've been with the Roots, Babyface, Nas, Rick Ross, Ambrosia, Marsha, Ambrosia, Boosie, E40, Jennifer Hudson, Jill Scott Jeezy, Chris Brown, Meek Mill, Eve Jadakiss.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Wow, bro.

[Interviewer]

That's a very eclectic group. There are some similarities, but there are some vast differences.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Wow. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Is that when you got into this business? Is that kind of direction that you wanted, like, not just be in one box? You wanted to be in a lot of different boxes?

[Anthony Hamilton]

I just wanted to work with all the people who I thought were great. I wanted to work with, you know, people who were moving the needle.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know, and so being able to do that, man, it's been a. It's been an honor and a. And a blessing.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

So. Yeah. You. Because you don't know. Once you get into business, you think you have an idea. Yeah. Of what's going on, but you really don't know how things are gonna go.

[Interviewer]

So do you ever get impressed? Because you, like. Like when you sit down and read.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I'm impressed to be right here on the show Club Shave.

[Interviewer]

I appreciate that. This is gonna do really well out here.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, man.

[Interviewer]

They like when we have conversations and you tell them the backdrop of the story of the song, and then you actually sang the song. But, like, when you hear somebody say, like, man. You know. Cause sometimes you just take for granted until you hear them and they're singing and they're not on an album, but they're actually singing, and you can hear it. Like when. When you hear Fantasia, people be playing, man.

[Anthony Hamilton]

She ain't nothing she call she ain't.

[Interviewer]

Nothing to play with.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Don't, don't, don't come behind if you don't know what you're doing.

[Interviewer]

Jasmine Sullivan. I'm talking about. You talking about people that got. I'm talking about can really. They can sing, you know? Ain't not no sing. They can sing, man.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I've been watching Jasmine do that since she was 11, 12 years old in Philly. I would go down to Philly to hang out and me and music, Soul Child, all of us would be at a place called the Five Spot that the Roots had a jam session. So she had to come in with her parents because she was underage.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Killing it. Exactly how she's doing it now. I was like, whoever she is, I never forgot her. I was like, I've been looking for her. So when she finally came out, I was like, that's her.

[Interviewer]

I knew it.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I knew it.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, she's something.

[Interviewer]

So let me ask you this. Like, when you like Jasmine Sullivan, Jill Scott, Fantasia, you tour a little bit right now with Fantasia. When you go in. So. So what's your mindset when you go in and you get ready to do a song with, say, a Jill Scott, or you getting ready to do a song with a Jasmine Sullivan? What's. What. What is Anthony Hamilton's mindset?

[Anthony Hamilton]

I want him to like it. I want him to love it so much, you know, I just want to. I don't know. I want to find the perfect song. I want them to be able to express themselves and, like, the idea or the direction that I'm going. I want to love the idea that.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

That they have for me because I want to be able to do my best.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

So I want to be able to give them what. What they expect of me. But it super exceeded.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

So you. You want to be a situation like, who is this? Stephanie Mills and. And. And. And Teddy P. Come on, man. Rick James and what's our girl name? What's up?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Tina Marie.

[Interviewer]

Tina Marie.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Defying desire. You want that kind of passion when Stephanie Mills is singing and she's looking up at Teddy P. I love that.

[Anthony Hamilton]

That's one of my. Yeah, that's.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, that's. That's kind of the collab. That's kind of the connection that you want to have.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. You want the synergy, man. You want the energy to. To make sense. You want people to feel the energy that you're creating from. Because that's ultimately what's going to sell the record Right. Until you get it out live.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You got to have that energy in. In there. You want to. You want to be able to have that. That kinship.

[Interviewer]

Give me a dream collab, man. Wow.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Definitely. I was. Me and Dee had talked about getting this tour. Deangelo was definitely one, but Lauryn Hill, I think.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

To get in with Lauryn Hill. Ah, man.

[Interviewer]

She might be late, though.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I mean, I'll wait on her.

[Interviewer]

He might be, you know, I mean.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I'm gonna wait on her just go ahead. Here's Lauryn Hill.

[Interviewer]

Go ahead and schedule.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I'll take a nap.

[Interviewer]

I'll go schedule it for Monday. Yeah, but know you gonna see her on Thursday or Friday.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely. I'm gonna be right in there waiting on her. Same outfit. Cause I picked it out for her.

[Interviewer]

Ever. You have released unreleased songs with John Legend, Ty Dolla and Jacques.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yes. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

You ready for him to come out?

[Anthony Hamilton]

What's up? I think the John Legend definitely. It's a. It's a big record, man.

[Interviewer]

You a legend on one.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, man. It's a song. Actually. He wrote it and it was a song that he sent me a few songs and that one stood out to me. And I can't wait for the world to hear that one. The song with Jacques is. It's pretty dope too. Yeah, yeah. And Ty. Ty is just so. He's a maniac with a pen.

[Interviewer]

Do people ever call you say, nah, I'm good, but you more pleasant than that. You know what? I'm busy. I gotta look. You know what? Let me check my refrigerator light. I'll get back with you.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know what? I have. And one that I really regret not really making time for. It wasn't the fact that I didn't like what they were doing, but I was just touring so hard. Pitbull really got. Don't matter, Pick. I'm. I ain't on tour right now. Pitbull. Give me one more chance Give me, give me, give me one more chance. So, yeah, I just love what he's done, man. And at that moment, it was early in his career and I was moving around a lot, but that's one of the one I just keep kicking myself about.

[Interviewer]

You did, I think a video did a song with Dababy Charlotte.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, homeboy. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

So what's. What's it like? I mean, because, you know, there's something about a homeboy. There's something about someone from North Carolina.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely.

[Interviewer]

He's from North Carolina. You're from. You're from, you know, right here in North Carolina. So what. What was that. What was that endeavor like?

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know what, man? You know, working with the baby like he was on fire. I mean, he came out and I heard about his name, but he. When he came out and he hit, he was on fire. So I was like, okay, know he's going to have a lot of energy. Yes, he's got that baby energy. But I knew we was going to speak to a similar lingo when I was in the studio, when it Was after the Grammys, we went into the studio, I sang on a song with him, and we went in the studio after that, and we wrote blank. And I started saying a word that only North Carolina people would say. She gonna make me blank. You're gonna have me pulling out a pistol and certain words like, well, you're gonna make me blank.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

He know what that is, right? You're gonna make me go crazy. I'm gonna act a donkey. Or if you shell. Shell as hell.

[Interviewer]

Oh, yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

So these lango, we start talking about just being in Charlotte and just a certain conversation that we have and certain lingo that we have. So we just. Just, you know, bonded on that.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Being North Carolina. And I think that opened the door for him to just trust me.

[Interviewer]

You mentioned that you and Jodeci are related. When did you realize that you guys were related? After you guys had made it or you knew. You knew each other, like, growing up, when you had family function, they came and you were there. You're like, oh, we related.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I think, you know, a few times my family tried to tell me, you know, they, you know, you skinning them through the Truesdales. I was like, oh, okay, cool. But I didn't, you know, I ain't paying no attention.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

But then as. As time go and I started looking at them, I said, well, they kind of look like my people.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And it wasn't until Casey said, well, you know, we cousins, Truesdale. And I was like, well, maybe. Maybe it's true.

[Interviewer]

Maybe there's some truth to it.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. And so my, you know, I started asking around and was like, yeah, yeah.

[Interviewer]

That'S your family you got. You ended up opening for them.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yep. The first tour I ever been on was the tour with Jodeci. The freaking you tour.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And you talking about, I thought I wanted to be in the music business. I thought I wanted to be around the girls. But the. The amount of women that will come to those shows and the after parties and the.

[Interviewer]

You like? Yeah. I picked the right profession.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. But I was a little nervous. I was like, boy, this is a little more than what I. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Do what you envisioned.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, it was a lot. It was a lot. I mean, they were able to just get there back then. I think people had access to be in your space a lot more.

[Interviewer]

Yes.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Than they do now. And I was like, I'm not ready. I wasn't ready. I had to.

[Interviewer]

So what was. I mean. I mean, like, I got. I mean, we got family, you know, we tour and I gotta open Up. I mean, you say that's your first tour. You don't wanna mess up. Even though, you know, we might be related. We're related. But I still want. I still wanna do right by him.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely. Absolutely. And even still, now we've shared some of the same stages. Cause KC was like, Anthony, my cousin, but I'm gonna have to. So we all joke about him.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

One of the guys in the tones is our cousin as well. The guy in the middle. Jbto. Okay. So it's always a friendly competition, a family competition, you know? Cause he's a bad boy, and I learned a lot from him. But, yeah, you. You know, you want to make them proud and you want to represent them, and it's fun, too.

[Interviewer]

But you know what the thing is, is that you're trying to make a name for yourself. You want to represent them, but, you know, you don't always want to be the open and act. You want to be the close that you want to, you know, pull the curtain, shut the curtains.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely. I can shut the curtain now. I can shut the curtains now. You know, I made a name for myself when it comes to hitting the stage. I perform really hard. I give a lot.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And it's kind of hard to come behind me. If you don't have the same passion, you can't measure up. It's gonna be a problem if I get.

[Interviewer]

Who would you like to go on tour with?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Wow.

[Interviewer]

I'm gonna get. It's a tour. It's three of y'.

[Anthony Hamilton]

All. Oh, three. Shoot. I think that one of those tours I've done.

[Degree Cool Rush Announcer]

Really?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Maxwell and Joe. Oh, boy.

[Interviewer]

Maxwell Anthony. I ain't gonna lie. I mean, I think I done saw Maxwell like eight times in concert.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. And incredible every time.

[Interviewer]

He is unbelievable.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely.

[Interviewer]

I'm trying to figure out how he still move like that.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I'm trying to figure.

[Interviewer]

He got bonding knees.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I'm about to say them knees. He didn't get them knees from Teemu.

[Interviewer]

Nah, they're not.

[Anthony Hamilton]

No Teemu knees, you know. Incredible, man. And Joe is absolutely flawless. Vocals is always on point, you know. Another great tour. Fantasia and I, we do really well.

[Interviewer]

Yes.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Wow.

[Interviewer]

Fantasia, you next.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, man. Man. Another tour. I. It's so many out there, man. I like to do her, me, her, and.

[Interviewer]

Oh, yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

It's a young guy coming up. His name is ej.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

The chosen voice. He's a young. I mean, he sounds like Johnny. Not Johnny Guitar Watson, but Johnny Taylor.

[Interviewer]

Okay. Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

This young guy, man, look him up, man. He's incredible.

[Interviewer]

Oh, you know who I would like to see you do a song with?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Who?

[Interviewer]

Michelle. Ndeggio Chello.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Love her. And I was trying to work with her too, and she was ready and I don't know what happened. I think my manager got me busy and you know, but I still. I love you too. Michelle Ndeglia. I had to learn how to say that.

[Interviewer]

Ndeggio Chello.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. See you fancy. You got all that fancy education.

[Interviewer]

But I've seen her probably, she's a proud eight, 10 times. And from Colorado to LA to Atlanta, the Variety Playhouse. I saw a little small intimate thing. Yeah. Like when I, when I like something, I'm going, yeah, I'm going.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, that's good.

[Interviewer]

And, and I look. I love that. So, you know, I, I don't got old now. I can't be in all that noise. I just want to sit down.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. And enjoy yourself.

[Interviewer]

Have a good old time. Yeah, go to Chad, you know, Atlanta. Go to Chastain Park.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, man, that's a beautiful man. You know another spot that's good too. The, it's in la. What's the one that's outside we sit.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. The Hollywood.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Hollywood Bowl. That's a nice.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, yeah. Man, I saw Maxwell there, saw John Legend there.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh yeah, I've seen a little bit of John there.

[Jason Timf]

Hey, Jason. Tim Fear. The NBA on Prime is back this Friday with another exciting Emirates NBA cup double header. First bam. And a bio in the Heat take on Jalen Brunson in the Knicks. Then Steph Curry and the warriors square off against Wemby and the Spurs. If you're not a Prime member, just sign up for a 30 day free trial. Heat, Knicks Warrior spurs Coverage starts at 6:30pm Eastern only on Prime. Restrictions apply. See Amazon.com amazonprime for details.

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This podcast is sponsored by PayPal. Okay, let's talk holiday shopping. When you want to make the most of your Money, head to PayPal's app before you check out. They give you the flexibility to pay in four no fees, no interest. And this is big. Bigger than the 12 foot snowman on your lawn right now. You can get 5% cash back when you pay later with PayPal. So whether it's the must have merch or for that signed jersey you've been eyeing, PayPal helps you make the most of your money this holiday. Save this offer in the PayPal app.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Expires 1231 see paypal.com promoterms Subject to approval. Learn more at paypal.com payin4paypal inc.nmls9104 Today's.

[Degree Cool Rush Announcer]

Episode is brought to you by a scent that's made a legendary comeback degree Original Cool Rush the OG is back and better than ever. Cool Rush isn't just a scent, it's a movement fan favorite. It's the kind of fragrance that guys remember, ask for by name and rave about online. It's bold, fresh and delivers all day sweat protection with that cool, crisp vibe that made it a legend. Whether you're heading to the gym, the office or just trying to stay fresh on a long day, Cool Rush has your back. It's the go to for millions and for good reason. So if you haven't tried it yet or if you've been waiting for a sign, this is it. Head to your local Walmart or Target and grab degree Cool Rush, the fan favorite scent from the world's number one antiperspirant brand.

[Total Wireless Announcer]

This podcast is sponsored by Total Wireless, the official wireless partner of ufc, so when you're streaming the fight or sharing those takedown highlights, you need a wireless provider that keeps you close to the action. With Total Wireless, you're covered by the Verizon 5G network, so you don't have to worry about your connection being knocked out at the biggest moments. It's not something you can usually say about a wireless provider, but Total Wireless really has your back. They're in your corner every second of the day, so you never miss a thing. They keep you covered for just $25 a month with four lines without sacrificing the essentials like speed. With Total, you get unlimited 5G data so you can stay ahead of the action and keep up with every knockout. Total Wireless understands you can't afford surprise blows any more than your favorite fighter can. That's why the price is guaranteed for five years, taxes and fees included. The best fighters don't make it to the Octagon alone. They have all in support along the way, and it shouldn't be any different for you. So visit totalwireless.com or visit your local Total Wireless store to learn more about how Total Wireless can be in your corner. 5G access requires a 5G capable device and a 5G service area. Monthly rate on the Total Base 5G Unlimited plan for new subscribers applies only to the monthly rate. 4 year plan. Additional terms apply. See website for details.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I think I was there for a minute. It was some kind of function going on. But I saw Chance the Rapper there. That was incredible. Oh, he's incredible too, man.

[Interviewer]

I'm gonna check that out. You mentioned you were, like, in transition from, like 93 to 03. And then you signed with so. So Death. You signed with Jermaine Dupri, who had a. A part of who's up on the Arista, if I'm not mistaken.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yes.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. So what was that? So how did. How. How did. Where did you. How did Jermaine stumble upon you?

[Anthony Hamilton]

His father. His father heard me singing at a Grammy brunch.

[Interviewer]

Really?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. And this is when, you know, I didn't have a deal or anything. And I was just like. Had been working with Mark Batson, who allowed me to come, who produced Charlotte, Charlene and Can't Let Go. He produced Coming From Where I'm from. But he would let me come down and just sing it, right? For free because he was just a fan of my boy, right? And that's how these songs came about. So the Grammy brunch, they invited me to sing. And before I went on stage, I'm sitting in the back and Kimora Lee Simmons was staring at me, and I was like, okay, this feels weird. And I didn't even know who Michael Malden was. Isaac Hayes introduced me on stage. I sang Coming From Where I'm from, like, it was the last song I ever had a chance to sing. Because at this moment, I was ready to give up again, right? The moment I got off stage, Michael Malden came and said, hey, I have somebody I know. I think you should talk to my son. I said, okay, My son is Jermaine Dupree. I said, oh, wow. And say, we just had a conversation about this type of singing and this type of music. Do you mind having, you know, if I hook y' all up or whatever, say, absolutely not. But mind you, I had met Jermaine Dupree back in the day when he was running around and taking. Crisscross around, right?

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And I wanted his attention because I wanted him to know, like, I want to sing, right? But he was busy. He wasn't rude, but he was just busy. I was like, I never signed with him. I told him this, right? Saying I never signed with him. I was just in my feeling. God said, if you want to make God laugh, make plans, right? And, you know One of the best collaboration. We're still great friends right now.

[Interviewer]

Wow.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Sampling. You okay with letting the young artist jump on something of yours?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely, Absolutely. I think it's. You know.

[Interviewer]

You ever tell them? No. You ever told anybody?

[Anthony Hamilton]

No, no. I don't think I had to. I think they come to me with the right stuff. If you come to me talking about killing, shooting, I kill you.

[Interviewer]

Kill you.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Kill you twice. I may not want my music on that. You know what I mean, But. Or anything that's being disrespectful.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

To any. Any walk of life. But for the most part, I think they do me well.

[Interviewer]

Right?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Who are some of the young R B artists that you. That you. That you like that. You know what? I can. I can. I can rock with this.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I love her. I like giveon. I like Friday. What's his name? Lucky day.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I think he's a bad boy. He's a great writer. Wow. Who else I like? There's a few really good ones. October, London. Came out. Right? He came out the Marvin Gaye.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Yeah, that's. That's Snoop's guy, isn't it?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, Snoop's guy. Yeah. Who else I really liking right now? Leon. I like Leon Thomas. I like what he's doing. There's a few out there. It's really, really good. Yeah. Bj, Chicago kid. That's my boy. Oh, man, he's dope. He's a dope. He's a dope, brother.

[Interviewer]

When you're driving around, do you listen? What do you listen to? When. When Anthony is in his car and he's driving around.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

What are you listening to, man?

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know what? I make these playlists with different artists on it. I might listen to Gunner.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I may. Then I go to Tupac, and then I, you know, I may go to Al Green.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

So it just depends on what mood I'm in. You know, I do like to have an open playlist because, you know, I want to be able to have these different emotions and it be all right.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know, and there ain't no better place than in your car. You be singing, I'll be singing the heck out. Hell, I might even sing Charlene if it come on at the right time. Really? Yeah. I might give it to you at the red light.

[Interviewer]

Have you ever been on, like, a taxi or Uber and your song come on?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely.

[Interviewer]

And then look in the mirror like New York. That's your part right there.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. I just start singing and, you know, they don't know Sometime I tell them, sometime I don't.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

But if you start singing, it's like, man, you sound good.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you sound good. I say, yes, that's. That's absolutely actually my song. Right. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Streaming. What are your thoughts on streaming? Because I get different, you know, different people say different things. Some people say, you know, you make good money. Some people say, are you trying to kill it?

[Anthony Hamilton]

They. I mean, they trying to kill us. I mean, it's just. It's just robbing. You're just robbing you, man. You have to. You have to spend so many times to get anything worth taking home, man.

[Interviewer]

Right?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. Yeah. You know, they really did us in with that one. And I'm. I'm shocked and disappointed that we didn't stand up and speak out. Yeah. Like the actress and actresses did. I think it got too far gone.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

It's probably not going. Because I don't know if we're ever going to be able to. You're going to ever be able to sell the hard copies like you once did? I don't think. Excuse me. The Tower records are gone now. All you have is specialty mom and pop shop. They still sell vinyls.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, yeah.

[Interviewer]

But what used to be. It used to be a thing. You know, we go and listen to.

[Anthony Hamilton]

It in the headphones.

[Interviewer]

You put it.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Come on, man. Yeah, I missed that.

[Jason Timf]

Yes.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Virgin Records and Towers and, you know. Yes, those were the good days. Now it's just.

[Interviewer]

And you get. You get the eight track, you get to record and everybody had to be quiet because you could hear it in the background. A track.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely.

[Interviewer]

That was. Those were the times, man.

[Anthony Hamilton]

The great times. That's what made me want to be a part of the music business. Now. It's just, you know, you. You. You make your living and you, and you and you make. Make your fan base happy and enjoy yourself. But in terms of the music, how. How it feels, it's pretty sterile, pretty disconnected if you ask me.

[Interviewer]

You were a struggling artist. You go to New York, you got less than 70 bucks in your pocket.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

What made you so convinced that you were going to make it?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Cuz I. I not making it wasn't an option? No, I had to. Cuz I had been living it and breathing it and it was in my blood too deep. Like I. That's who I am. It's like me dying.

[Interviewer]

Did you ever want to quit?

[Anthony Hamilton]

A few times. But not enough to really do it right. You know?

[Interviewer]

Who could you call it when you were having those moments where Things weren't going your way, and there were times that you felt like giving up. Who was someone that you could call, and they say, anthony, it's just right around the corner.

[Anthony Hamilton]

My best friend, Chop, who used to drive me from Charlotte to New York numerous times.

[Interviewer]

Drive you?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, we met in barber school, so I'm a barber, you know, went to school to cut hair and do men and women's hair. Yeah, he used to drive me. He had a. He had a white BMW back then. And he. We'd get in there, and we'd drive all the way up to New York. Singing, playing jokes.

[Interviewer]

Your best friend.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Everybody drive you there?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. And Eddie Kane, my friend, Ramon Montgomery. Eddie Kane? Yeah, man. Those two, they. They saw the gift.

[Interviewer]

Hold on. This might be Internet, because, you know, you can't believe everything on the Internet. You can't believe everything you read.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And my Aunt Joanne. Aunt Joanne, too.

[Interviewer]

Nick Cannon bought you a car?

[Jason Timf]

Your first car?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, man. Yeah. Nick Cannon did. Yeah. How'd you beat Nick on the video set? He did a song called Can I Live Paying. Paying respect to his mom for not aborting him. And so it's a song called Can I Live? So they wanted me to be. You know, I did the song, but they wanted me in the video. The night of the video, I was supposed to have flown out right on the red eye. And so, you know, it's going to be really quick. We're going to get you in and get you out. I was there for hours and, you know, didn't complain, ended up getting wet. It was a scene. I wasn't really supposed to be in the water. I was wet, never complained. And he kept saying. He's like, man, he's just being so grateful and gracious. I want to do something special for him. And so I had been eyeing this old station wagon. Gold. And it's like, he loves that car. And don't. You know, Nick wrote that man a check that night for that car. That was my first car ever. Owning Nick bought my car, my first car before I could buy it.

[Interviewer]

A station wagon, huh?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, 1971. Same year I was born.

[Interviewer]

Damn.

[Anthony Hamilton]

It's a. It's a.

[Interviewer]

Had the wood paneling on it and everything.

[Anthony Hamilton]

No, not this one. But I do like the wood. I did want the wood panel. I wanted the truck, the Wagoneer, but it's a station wagon. 71 gold. And it's beautiful. I had it repainted.

[Interviewer]

You still got it?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, absolutely. It's beautiful.

[Interviewer]

You still got it, really?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, it's beautiful.

[Interviewer]

You ain't gonna never let it go, huh?

[Anthony Hamilton]

I ain't gonna let that one go. Nah.

[Interviewer]

Because you'd had a lot of cars since then. Yeah, but you go keep that one.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, I had too many. I haven't had. My first car that I bought was a Dodge Durango. And then after that I got an Infinity, a used one. Then I finally got the Big Boy now. Yeah, the 2025. But yeah, not a lot of cars. You know, my ex wife had a few.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

But nah.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, I mean, it's kind of hard for. You have anything nice? You got six kids. I mean, you know, you got. You got a little bus, you got a splitter, sprinter, man.

[Anthony Hamilton]

See what happened when you come to Club jj.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

With six boys, man, look. Yeah, that's why I sing. I ain't you available? Hell, yeah, I'm available. And tomorrow, too.

[Degree Cool Rush Announcer]

Oh, man.

[Interviewer]

Well, obviously you've been in the music game for two decades, made good money. What is the one thing that you learned about money?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Wow. The more you make, the more somebody need it. Well, you know, money is one of those things, like, it's. It's great to have, but if you don't know how to maneuver with it, then it's almost not. It's almost like not having it right. You don't know how to invest it the right way. Then it's just. It's sitting there and it's not really doing a lot.

[Interviewer]

It's not working for you, like, not.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Working for you like it's supposed to. And, you know, I'm looking at these people like, man, how is it that they have so much wealth? The right deals, the right investments, Very important.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I mean, you know, what do you.

[Interviewer]

Think your best purchase? Which. What's the best purchase that you had?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, my home. My home. Yeah. My first house under a million. You know, my financial advice at the time was a. A black sister like, you don't need no house under a million and woo the woo and all that.

[Interviewer]

You can't be still.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I'm still in it. Still in. I'm about to sell it, though. Boy, I got some equity. Celebrate. I'm about to sell the hell out of it. Excuse my French. Yeah, I think that's the. That was very. A very smart move.

[Interviewer]

Yes.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And always got to have a place.

[Interviewer]

To call home, man.

[Anthony Hamilton]

That takes a lot of the stress away, man. Yeah, yeah.

[Interviewer]

One place. You don't need 15 places.

[Anthony Hamilton]

No, no, no, no. I tried that, having a place in la and yeah. It's just. It Just wait. It's just too much. It's just too much. Just like, stop.

[Interviewer]

Did you see single Kevin McCall, like, EBT?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Wow, that was heartbreaking, man. Such a great writer and he had a promising future.

[Interviewer]

Yes.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know, I just think sometimes my personal stuff get in the way of. Of, of of, you know, our growth and relationships are important, you know, you gotta. You gotta cherish those relationships.

[Interviewer]

Yes.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

And it's. It's like you said, I mean, when you make so much, it's not how much. And I tell people it's not how much you make, it's how much you keep.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely.

[Interviewer]

There've been a lot of people that's made a lot of money but didn't keep any of it. So what have you actually done? What have you actually accomplished?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, I'm afraid of that. I don't. I don't want to be poor no more. In no way, no form, poor, spirited or, you know, just want to be better.

[Interviewer]

You're an American gangster. Did you get to meet today? You get to meet Denzel?

[Anthony Hamilton]

What? I met denzel at the 75th anniversary of the Apollo.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And don't, you know, he remembered that.

[Interviewer]

Really?

[Anthony Hamilton]

He asked me on the set of American. American Gangster. I bet you don't know. I bet you don't know. The first time we met. I bet you don't know it. I said, yes, I do. He said, where was it? I said, the 75th anniversary at the Apollo. That's right. That's right. Did that. It's good to have you here. Such a class act.

[Interviewer]

How is it. I mean, we get an opportunity. We've never been on set with him. All we see is the finished product. But to be there and to watch him jump in character. I hear he's very serious about it. He takes his profession to the up team.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely. And, you know, people there excited and wanted pictures. He said, no, we're not here for no pictures. We're not here for pictures. We're here to make this amazing movie. We're here to be great and all that. Classy, though. But you don't feel offended, right? And he goes and he nails it.

[Interviewer]

What do you think it is that makes him special? Because we've seen him do Malcolm X and he looks like Malcolm X. We've seen him do Hurricane. We seen him do American Gangster. We've seen him in Spike Lou, Spike Lee's movie Inside man, and we've seen him Devil in Blue Dress. And we've seen him in so many things.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. Book of Eli.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Oh, man. What is it that makes him special?

[Anthony Hamilton]

He keeps a little piece of Denzel in it. Nobody else can be that. I think that's his special sauce, that Denzel. The Swag. You know, even when he's these. What's the gangster movies? Equalize.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, I caught on to those. Oh, my God. I didn't know they were so good.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, well, I remember the TV show that used to come out. Used to come on.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Wow. I had no idea. But there's always a swag. There's always a personality that only he possessed. And he knows how to become the character. When you forget he's Denzel, man, I was so mad at him in Training Day.

[Interviewer]

Did he play that thing or what?

[Anthony Hamilton]

I just didn't. I just didn't like him. I was mad. I was like, man, God, he's such an evil man, but he was so.

[Interviewer]

Great, Jake, I'm gonna get that money.

[Anthony Hamilton]

How do you transform yourself into this character? That deep man?

[Interviewer]

And he. What he's able to do is he make you. He'll make you believe that he's that.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yes.

[Interviewer]

I mean, when you watch him in Malcolm X, you couldn't tell me that wasn't Malcolm X. I mean, they did a great job with Malcolm with makeup, but the way he spoke.

[Total Wireless Announcer]

Oh.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Bodied it. Incredible.

[Interviewer]

He's incredible. You also on the set of Empire with Terrence Howard?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, yeah. Terrence is a buddy of mine. Terrence likes music, too. He plays guitar.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, yeah. What is that? When he was singing. What's the name of that song? When he was in Memphis.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Interviewer]

What was the name of that movie? Hustle and Flow.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Hustle and Flow. Hustle and Flow.

[Interviewer]

Hustle and Flow.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, hey, he loves music. He's a music head, man, and he's a character. Every now and again, every couple years, he called me. He'll find my number and call me. It's been a couple years. Terrence, where you at? Where you at, Ted? But he normally keeps in contact, man.

[Interviewer]

You was on the Chappelle Show.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

You know what I think, look, that you can have a lot of guys, but the way he's able to. To tell a story.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, he.

[Interviewer]

He's at the top of the. He's at the top of the food chain right now.

[Anthony Hamilton]

He is the top. He is, absolutely. He's such a man. He's such a technician when it comes to taking comedy and making it more than just comedy.

[Interviewer]

Yes. Because he. I mean, you know, you take real life events. You take your events and you make them funny.

[Anthony Hamilton]

He's so clever.

[Interviewer]

He can weave.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Incredible. He's. He's. He's. He's the goat. He.

[Interviewer]

He absolutely.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Chris Rock is another one who's incredible, y'.

[Interviewer]

All. I love Rock.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I saw both of them at the Radio City Music hall, and they were.

[Interviewer]

At the Hollywood Bowl a couple years ago also.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, that's. That's a really great. If you can see those. Kevin Hart. I was. Was able to, you know, go check out a show and hang out backstage with him.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Incredible.

[Interviewer]

Oprah. You're on the show called they Call Me dad. You on Oprah's show?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, I did, absolutely. I almost forgot that. Yeah, me and my younger three. Yeah, yeah, that was. That was big. That was.

[Interviewer]

So what's the age range? So you got the older three. That's what. How old are the oldest?

[Anthony Hamilton]

My oldest has turned 37.

[Interviewer]

What?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, I'm 37, too. I don't know.

[Interviewer]

So you got an early start. Early. Early.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Which clock are you counting? So, look, I was very young. I was probably 16.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, you were singing then, huh?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. You was singing. Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

She was older than me. I think I need to bring her up on charges. How far can you go back?

[Interviewer]

Not that far.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You better watch yourself. But no, it was my high school sweetheart.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

So, yeah, 37, 34, and 28.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And then my ex wife had my. My twins, about to be 15.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

In a couple days. And my baby boy is 13.

[Interviewer]

All of them with you?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. But. Well, four of them are in Charlotte.

[Interviewer]

Charlotte.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Anthony Jr. He lives in Charlotte.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

But in his own home. But my younger three are with me, like 75, 80% of the time when I'm home. They.

[Interviewer]

They drive you. You carpool, dad. You do all that, huh?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Every morning? Yep. Except for this morning. I had to come here and do the club.

[Interviewer]

I appreciate that.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

So when, like you said, like, when you're on the road, your ex will take them?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, yeah, they go there.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And sometimes she takes my little dog.

[Interviewer]

Really?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. What a nice lady.

[Interviewer]

Having six boys, that's a huge responsibility. What do you. Because you said, and I find this. I see this a lot, is that when the father is not around, you try to make sure you're more around because you try to get away. You know what it was like not to have a dad. And you don't want your kids to feel like that.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely. I work really hard to make sure that they know I'm present. Like, I go to school meetings. You know, I try to Help with homework. My brain. My brain different.

[Interviewer]

I got tutors.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Cause they gonna fail my bass.

[Anthony Hamilton]

My bass player. His. His daughter, you know, been tutoring my boys for years. So I make sure you got everything that you need.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

But, you know, I just want them to know, like, it matters. Like, I'm just not gonna shove money in your hand.

[Interviewer]

Right. And say, that's gonna make it okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

No, that's not gonna make it okay.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Cause they're gonna resent me later on when money can't, you know, offer them.

[Interviewer]

Can't fix it.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. Can't fix it.

[Interviewer]

Some things money can fix, but there.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Are gonna be things they can.

[Interviewer]

There are gonna be some things that money can't fix.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Exactly. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

You were married. You mentioned you were married, what, 15 years?

[Anthony Hamilton]

10 together. 13, 14.

[Interviewer]

How hard is it to end a marriage when kids are involved? Because I'm not so sure kids really understand. They just like, okay, mom to dad together, and then now mom and dad not together.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know, that's one of the things that make you want to fight a little harder because you don't want to break it up. Break that up. You want them to have that perfect family. I think we all dream of having a perfect family. Mom and dad in the house. But you get to a point to where it's like, do I want them just in the house around something that's not as healthy as it should be.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, it's hard.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, it is.

[Interviewer]

It's hard when, like, staying together just for the kids, because. Yeah. While we want to do the right thing, but we're miserable. I. I mean, how long are you going to be miserable?

[Anthony Hamilton]

I don't want them.

[Interviewer]

I'm not going to say that you were miserable. I'm just saying.

[Anthony Hamilton]

No, I get it. I get it. I don't want them to think it's okay to accept anything that's not, you know, up to what you. What you deserve.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. You know, the quality of life, man. It starts with the relationships you allow yourself to be in as well.

[Interviewer]

Would you get married again?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

You gonna have more kids? That wasn't sure. That wasn't so quick with that.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know what? It depends. I know. I'm praying. I'm like, lord, what is going on?

[Interviewer]

You trying to hold on. That means you be going to high school graduation at 71.

[Anthony Hamilton]

They like, see, you shouldn't do that.

[Interviewer]

They say, little Marcus shouldn't do it. Your grandfather.

[Anthony Hamilton]

But I have on sneakers.

[Interviewer]

That's my grand. That ain't my grandfather. That's my daddy fool.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I wear some sneakers.

[Interviewer]

I'll be wearing some Air Jordan.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I'll be wearing some sketches. Yeah, yeah, I know. You're a sneaker head too.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. You gonna wear them sketches, huh?

[Anthony Hamilton]

I might have to. I might have to go. I might have to. I might have to go to some special shoes. You know, that's, that's a hard one for me.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know, because it is like starting.

[Interviewer]

You still on the road.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Still on the road and, you know, changing Pampers and all that stuff. The hard parts that I've made it through.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Do I want to do that again? So that's when you're dating or trying to be in a relationship at this age, you know, whoever you choose to date, you have to take all that in consideration.

[Interviewer]

Well, I'm taking in consideration she of still of childbearing years.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I mean.

[Jason Timf]

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[Interviewer]

Oh well, you move around, move on what's the dating scene like for Anthony Hamilton? Are you. Are you a difficult date?

[Anthony Hamilton]

I'm pretty simple. I like good food and good conversation. You know we're gonna have a good wine. Make it a good one. Yeah, yeah. I don't.

[Interviewer]

Dating is different. Is dating different after you get. After you've been married for the length of time that you've been married.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Cause you off the market for a minute. So. Is dating different now than when you first. Let's just say when you first started and you were dating. Is it. How much different is dating now than it was then?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Well, you. You want to be able to go somewhere and be regular. Yeah. I think that's the harder part. Like being able to go somewhere and sit down and have a meal without interruption. Interruptions and you know, and choosing people that. That you. You feel have really good intentions.

[Interviewer]

Yes.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know, that's. That's weaving through that hard. Yeah. And then I don't want to talk about my favorite color and all that. I don't. I don't care, but ain't no color. I just. Yeah. All that. Yeah. You get up to a certain age, it's like, so what?

[Interviewer]

So, so. So what? You got to talk about something at. Would you talk about what you like to cook? What's your hobbies? What's the place you like to go?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, I mean, you know, you do it, but just.

[Interviewer]

Damn.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Just.

[Interviewer]

I really don't care. Your favorite color is just wear.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I'm. I'm wearing it. Cut the comments. Cut the conversation short now. I'm just kidding. You know, you get to know people.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Listen to their stories and you share stories and, you know. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

How long do you date before you bring someone around the kids?

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know, I. I think that take. That's a. That's a very, very protective space for me.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. I don't just let anybody in my house. I don't even have parties and stuff.

[Interviewer]

At my house because, you know, they're going to go back and tell Mama, you know, that's, you know.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Nah, I mean, if you ignorant. I mean. Yeah. You know, she has a right to know who's around her.

[Interviewer]

Absolutely.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Because I want to know.

[Interviewer]

Yes.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Because I pull up. Yeah. What's going on? But yeah, you, you know, you. I think the spirit will start to speak. Some might take a little more time and some don't ever make it. And then others use. Like, this person is pretty decent. The energy is good. And you know what makes you take more time? When they're trying too hard to be a part of your kids.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Be in a space.

[Interviewer]

When am I gonna meet the kids? 20.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Never. Never get 20. Never. Yeah. That bothers me.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

When you're trying too hard.

[Interviewer]

The relationship with your parents. How different are you with your kids than when your parents Were with you.

[Anthony Hamilton]

There's some similarities because I bust you out, tear your tail up. But, you know, I want to. I want to give you a voice. You know, at a certain age you should have be able to express yourself. And I hear you.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And. And just take that and start to guide you.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Based on who you are as opposed to making you be who I think you should be.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

So I think back then they didn't know no better. Now we have access.

[Interviewer]

It wasn't no reason.

[Anthony Hamilton]

It wasn't no reason.

[Interviewer]

My grandpa used to say, you don't reason with a child.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yep. Yep.

[Interviewer]

They tell you what you was gonna eat. They tell you what you was thinking. They tell you what you were doing. It wasn't. No. Well, what would you like to do today?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Interviewer]

You gonna do what I tell you to do? Eat what I put on the table?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. Yeah. I got a little bit of that in me. So I try to keep a good balance.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Be friendly without, you know, blurring the lines of the respect line.

[Interviewer]

Because I think to now, in today's time, we got too many parents wanna be friends.

[Anthony Hamilton]

That's where they go wrong.

[Interviewer]

I'm not your friend. Your friend down the street.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Our dynamic won't ever change. No matter what. I'm always gonna be dad. You're always gonna be the child.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely. I told him I was born first for a reason.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know, and you know, we can have a good time, we can hang out, have fun and watch movies and all that, but when I tell you to do something, I need for you to do it.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And do it with excellence.

[Interviewer]

But you know what we couldn't ask? We couldn't ask our grandparents why when they said do something, we couldn't say why.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, get smacked in the mouth. I done got smacked in the mouth so many times.

[Interviewer]

Or suck you.

[Anthony Hamilton]

What? Oh, ya, ya. I didn't know that was cussing. Uh. Oh. I didn't know that was cussing. So all that's cussing? Those are curse words. I didn't know that until that backhand. That backhand hit me in the mouth. Yeah. My mom, my little mama didn't play. My grandma, she was with the switches. My mom was with that backhand. She had a mean, quick backhand.

[Interviewer]

Get up close on you.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, man. So I learned to run really fast.

[Interviewer]

Because the thing is, Anthony, the way you and I was brought up, you can't raise kids like that. You going to jail.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely. You know, go to jail. But I'd be so upset at Times I might call the police so they can watch. But, you know, their kids now, they have a lot of rights.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Too many, I think.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I think they have too many rights, and they know it. Yes. And they'll manipulate you to manipulate the system and. And so on. These kids now, they look crazy.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I love y', all, but y' all look crazy. You look crazy.

[Interviewer]

You mentioned earlier that at the decision. I think it's 14. You had to make a decision that you was gonna give. You got adopted by a family friend.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Someone I went to school. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Really?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

So when you told. Did you. How did you break that news to your mom?

[Anthony Hamilton]

It was in. Actually in a court.

[Interviewer]

Damn. You didn't tell her beforehand?

[Anthony Hamilton]

I just was over there already. Yeah. It's like I'm. You know, I'm just gonna go over here.

[Interviewer]

And she said no.

[Anthony Hamilton]

At that moment, I think she was just trying to figure out what was pushing me to that.

[Interviewer]

Mm.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And so she really, you know, really didn't have a say. I just kind of. Just kind of left.

[Interviewer]

Did you and her have a conversation before it got to the point that you wanted to leave or you felt that you needed to leave? Were there ever any conversations between you two?

[Anthony Hamilton]

That was just anger in me.

[Interviewer]

You so angry you couldn't talk.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah. I just felt like you being a parent, you should know better. You should be able to, you know, do a little different. And so I'm just. I was just mad because I couldn't. I couldn't help everybody.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know? You know, I just saw a lot of people needing their lives to be different, and so I couldn't change that. So I just followed all that up.

[Interviewer]

But you had some trauma. You dealt with some trauma earlier. At the age of seven, you saw your uncle shoot your cousin. Cousin's husband.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, that was pretty crazy. Yeah. It was a nice man, too.

[Interviewer]

Had you ever experienced death before? Did you know what death was?

[Anthony Hamilton]

I knew by going to funeral, but I didn't really know.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

That was the first time seeing something like. Like that.

[Interviewer]

That was what caused him to get so upset.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I have no idea. I have no idea. Uncle. Uncle. Uncle Jay was. He used to hunt and do all that stuff, so he was a wild man. Anyway, I just think, you know, they had words, and he didn't like it, and I think he had been on the bottle, so I think that had. Probably had a lot to do with it, but I don't even think he made a lot of time.

[Interviewer]

Really.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I don't think so.

[Interviewer]

Now Back then, they ain't send people to.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

I don't know what happened. I don't know what it was, but back then, people ain't really getting no time.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Like, they get. You shoot somebody like that now, you go to jail.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, yeah, absolutely.

[Interviewer]

Until they. Until they stop making coffee.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, that. That I never. I can still see that. Really never get that vision? No, you never. It wasn't like a bunch of blood or anything. I just remember them laying a pillow under his head after this. I heard the shot. I saw it. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

It was outside or inside?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Outside. And we were in my grandmother's house, looking out the screen door.

[Interviewer]

Heard him argue. And the next day, you know, a gun goes off.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, I heard him yelling, come. You come outside. Da, da, da. And he came outside. I don't. I don't know if I would have no.

[Interviewer]

Back then. That's what, you know, you asking for it. Meet me such and such.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Now.

[Interviewer]

I'm good. I'm gonna drive right on past.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, yeah. I'm not. You know, my ego is intact.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I'm staying in the house.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know, it's a smarter.

[Interviewer]

You. You mentioned that you got your start. You went to barber school. You good? You good with them clippers?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, absolutely, absolutely. I might not look like it because I choose, you know, just. Just started making me groceries.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Hamilton]

So I'm gonna keep it. I don't want them to miss, mishandle the check and send it to the smooth face guy. But. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm still, you know, I got six sons, you know, you want to save some money, you better.

[Interviewer]

Oh, you cut that. So you cut off. You cut the hair.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, absolutely. Four of them have locks now.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

But they still want it faded and shaped up and. Yeah, so.

[Interviewer]

So you good with the razor, huh?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, yeah.

[Interviewer]

Did you razor shave? Did you do.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely. You had to. To finish school 1500 hours. Yeah, so I did perms. I did cherry curls back then. There they was. Yeah, yeah. The little smelly curl. I put the little paper on that thing.

[Interviewer]

Oh, yeah.

[Anthony Hamilton]

That looked like something else, but it's Jerry curl. That's Jericho, right? Yeah, man.

[Interviewer]

Hey. Oh, that little.

[Anthony Hamilton]

That strap for that strap, man, you have to. Yeah, you had to. You had to learn to do that taper fade.

[Interviewer]

Yep.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And I think the curl. The curl. You had to be able to do a curl.

[Interviewer]

You still. You ain't gonna let that go. You're gonna clean this up.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You know what? Sometime I. Sometime I do, and sometime I. Then it gets Boring. Then I want to, you know, grungy, no shade. You know, man, it's like, this is that Carolina dirt.

[Interviewer]

You kind of known for the struggling beard now, huh?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yo, cats used to be mad at me when coming from where I'm from. Came out and I end up. I cut it, right? It was so upset. It's like, man, that's the struggle, right? It represents a struggle for a lot of people. You look like you struggle like me. And really, people were really upset. It's like, fine, I'll grow it back or whatever. Whatever it's doing, growing up, appearing, I'll appear it back.

[Interviewer]

I'm getting an opportunity to sing for your state team, the Hornets, the national anthem. Michael Jordan on the team.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

You ever make Michael?

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, absolutely. Michael. He supported me from day one. A lot of the tours and stuff, sponsored a lot. A lot of things for me, and I've been getting some Jordans for.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, yeah. I see you had a couple of pair over there.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, I know you're a sneaker head. I was like, I got. If he try it.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, yeah, I see that. Yeah, I see that.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I had a few pair one of.

[Interviewer]

Look at that look with you.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Oh, yeah. Oh, these old things.

[Total Wireless Announcer]

So.

[Anthony Hamilton]

So I know you got a few pair, but see, these are the ones Jordan, I won one through 30. Yeah, but you only could pick two colors, right? So if it's black and white, all 30 pairs are gonna be black and white. So me, Carmelo Anthony, Brigitte Barrett, and Kawhi Leonard, we was on the team, so we had to out design people, right? So we out designed them. We did the. The number ones because they used to make his feet bleed. So we created a number one called the Bloodline. But I won. We won. Our team won. So we all got 30 pairs. So this the level one of. Yeah, yeah. Nobody has the chocolate with the bubblegum bottoms, So I got 30 of these if y' all want to buy on the thing. And these are Camelos. I was like, I know you ain't got these either. No, but I seen you got some. You got some joints.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, I got some heat, but I sold some, I think. What was that? November of 24th.

[Anthony Hamilton]

You did?

[Interviewer]

Yeah, yeah, I sold like 300 pair.

[Anthony Hamilton]

God dog. You sold 300, so you still got.

[Interviewer]

Probably like 275, maybe another three.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Good God. Now. Yeah, you got me big. Yeah, man. I got hats, though.

[Interviewer]

Oh, you a hat guy.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Yeah, I like. I like my hats. God dog. So you sold 300 pair?

[Interviewer]

Yeah, yeah, I think 323 13, 323.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Wow. Yeah. And, you know, sneakers now, they go, yeah. And they yours. Yeah, yeah. You ain't got to do this no more.

[Interviewer]

I just, you know, the thing was, I was like, you know what? Somebody need to get some use out of these. I'm not wearing them. I wear the same sneakers all the time.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Me too. You know, now after you get so much stuff, man, it's like, it's just hard. I realize now I'm starting buying the same old jean jacket, just a different button or something. So you realize, just cut it out.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just, man. Anthony, thank you for coming by. Thank you for performing. Thank you for telling your story.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Absolutely.

[Interviewer]

I'm absolutely certain our audience is gonna love this because we sit down and have a conversation. You talk about this song. You performed the song, man. I can't thank you enough.

[Anthony Hamilton]

I appreciate it, man. Thank you. Absolutely. Thank you.

[Interviewer]

Appreciate you, man.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Appreciate you. Before I go, I have a gift.

[Interviewer]

Okay.

[Anthony Hamilton]

It's for life. It's a young designer out of Charlotte, North Carolina, and he knows about your career and we want you to have this for life.

[Interviewer]

Thank you.

[Anthony Hamilton]

His name is S Dub. Yeah, man. Numeral three. And he's a designer out of Charlotte and an amazing musician.

[Interviewer]

Appreciate you, bro. For life.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Anthony Hamilton.

[Total Wireless Announcer]

All my life been grinding all my life Sacrifice hustle, paid the price, wanna slice got to roll the dice that's why all my life I be grinding all my life look all my life been grinding all my life Sacrifice hustle.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Paid the price, wanna slice got the.

[Total Wireless Announcer]

Rolling dice to swap all my life I've been grinding all my life.

[Degree Cool Rush Announcer]

Pro.

[Lenovo Pro Announcer]

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[Anthony Hamilton]

Lenovo.

[PayPal Announcer]

Ah, greetings from my bath festive friends. The holidays are overwhelming, but I'm tackling this season with PayPal and making the most of my money. Getting 5% cash back when I pay in 4.

[Anthony Hamilton]

No fees, no interest.

[PayPal Announcer]

I used it to get this portable spa with jets.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Now the bubbles can cling to my sculpted but pruny body.

[PayPal Announcer]

Make the most of your money this holiday with PayPal.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Save the offer in the app ends1231.

[Jason Timf]

See paypal.com promoter points can be redeemed.

[Anthony Hamilton]

For cash and more.

[PayPal Announcer]

Paying for subject to terms and approval.

[Anthony Hamilton]

PayPal Inc. And MLS 910457 when you say LEGO Star wars, the first thing you think of is imagination.

[PayPal Announcer]

Or action.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Or both.

[Total Wireless Announcer]

Definitely both. Like with Jango Fett's Starship. I mean, with stud blasters, seismic charges.

[Anthony Hamilton]

And three minifigures, your kid is going to be creating stories until the Banthas come home.

[Total Wireless Announcer]

And for yourself, there's the Jango Fett's.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Firespray Class Starship LEGO set from the Ultimate Collector series. Enjoy some Jedi Master level mindfulness during your building time. Shop now for Star wars lego sets on lego.com or in Lego retail stores. Okay, only 10 more presents to wrap. You're almost at the finish line. But first, there the last one. Enjoy a Coca Cola for a pause that refreshes. You know what a girl's best friend is? Not diamonds her lawyers.

[Degree Cool Rush Announcer]

From executive producer Ryan Murphy comes a fiery new legal drama.

[Anthony Hamilton]

It's our own boutique women representing women.

[Degree Cool Rush Announcer]

You can't afford to miss.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Make it ring. Showtime, ladies. Stand up straight, then breeze into that room like a storm no one saw coming.

[Degree Cool Rush Announcer]

Hulu Original Series All's Fair now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney plus for bundle subscribers.

[Anthony Hamilton]

Terms apply.