Music has just opened the door for some amazing things. “I have met some amazing people, been to the White House to sing for President Barack Obama, and visited Nelson Mandela’s home in South Africa. He has since been nominated for 17 Grammy Awards, toured around the world and performed at the White House in 2016. His own career took off with the release of his second album Comin from Where I’m From in 2003 featuring the title track and the fan favorite Charlene. But I am also a soul singer who grew up in the church singing gospel, soul, and blues.” “I am a hip hop baby, grew up in the 1970s when rap started and even when I am singing, I want that beat to knock like hip hop because that’s who I am. His style narrows the gap between classic and contemporary grooves, his vocals based on soul and gospel influences flavoured with an edgy funk and hip hop sound. Hamilton went on to (co)write some of the biggest urban anthems of the 1990s like U Know What’s Up for Donell Jones, Thugz Mansion for the legendary Tupac Shakur, and toured as a backup singer with D’Angelo promoting the Voodoo album. His first job was working in a barbershop where he started writing songs based on the conversations he heard among customers. The self-described “country boy” from North Carolina began his path to music in his local Baptist church just like other American soul luminaries. We are just finding a time to rebuild the faith.” “Racial tensions have been rife in the US, people’s spirits have been challenged by the pandemic. This Saturday, the American singer, songwriter, producer and author who is blessed with one of the most distinctive voices among his generation of soul performers returns to the Carnivore Grounds as the headline act during the Stanbic Yetu Festival.ĭuring a conversation with the BDLife shortly after arriving in Nairobi on Tuesday, Hamilton reflected on the state of the world since he was last in Kenya. The album peaked at number three on the album chart, but he wasn't able to follow it up until 2006's Journey of a Gemini.When Grammy Award artist Anthony Hamilton first performed in Nairobi in 2013, he had delirious fans eating out of his hand, as he delivered sweet soulful grooves with style and charm. Following some time off in 2001, Jones returned in 2002 with his third album, Life Goes On. Unsurprisingly then, Jones attained impressive success with Where I Wanna Be and its singles: "U Know What's Up" and "Shorty (Got Her Eyes on Me)." Shortly after the album's release, he contributed a song to the Shaft soundtrack ("Do What I Gotta Do") and to Guru's Streetsoul album ("Hustlin' Daze," which he also contributed vocals to). He penned songs for 702 ("Get It Together," 1997) and Drea ("Not Gonna Letcha," 1998) and was well regarded within the industry as a result. Executive produced by Ferrell, Reid, and Babyface, My Heart peaked at number 30 on Billboard's R&B chart in 1996, propelled primarily by the success of "Knocks Me Off My Feet" as well as two other singles: "In the Hood" and "You Should Know."br /br /When Jones returned three years later in 1999 with his second album, Where I Wanna Be, he had become known as an accomplished songwriter. Reid and Babyface gave the blossoming artist the go-ahead to begin work on his solo debut. Following the success of Usher's "Think of You" in 1994 (number eight R&B), a song written by Jones, La Face executives L.A. He met Edward "Eddie F" Ferrell (former Heavy D & the Boyz member turned Untouchables Entertainment president), and the two formed a partnership with La Face. At one point, after involving himself with gang culture, he decided to dedicate himself to music rather than the streets. Later, he began to fall victim to the temptations of Chicago's south side, where he grew up. br /br /Born the son of a gospel singer, Jones immersed himself in music at a young age. In addition to his own music, he also wrote songs for other urban artists such as Usher ("Think of You") and 702 ("Get It Together"), among others. In particular, the latter song, originally a Stevie Wonder song from Songs in the Key of Life (1976), became a substantial hit for Jones, climbing to the upper reaches of the Billboard R&B chart and driving the album up the charts as well. His first two singles - "In the Hood" and "Knocks Me Off My Feet" - established his reputation within the competitive urban market. Beginning with his 1996 album My Heart, singer/songwriter/producer Donell Jones recorded a jazzy and soulful style of urban pop for La Face Records and scored a few modest singles in the process.