Anthony is a singer, songwriter and producer. In short, I just love singing. It is in my blood. This is what I know how to do. As you can see, it brought me to Kenya. Besides singing, I am a father of six boys and I love it. Not to forget that I am a barber too. Oh yes, I used to cut people’s hair in my home town. I can still do it if need be.
Tell us something about your background.
I was born in small city called Charlotte in North Carolina, USA. It is a beautiful place although it is made up of low income earners. Despite what some may think about the US, I could walk around the entire neighbourhood without the fear of anyone harming me. There were no guns in my home area when I was growing up. Well, each location has got its funny elements and Charlotte may have had some too.
When did you realise you could sing?
I started my career singing for our church choir — Macedonia Church — when I was ten. By the way, my dad would sing too but never took the opportunity seriously. I could watch people singing on TV for hours on end. I could follow music wherever it was. This may sound crazy but many times when walking along the paths around my home, I would stop and listen to men singing as they took some wine. They loved singing when high on wine. Actually, this paid off. I was able to join the choir at South Mecklenburg High School. We won a number of awards with the school choir. We even performed at several nightclubs in town with some friends.
How did your music career progress?
I moved out of home in 1993 for New York where I signed a deal with Uptown Records, then under Andre Harrell, the following year. I hoped to make it big. They had handled Puff Daddy and Mary J Blige before. I did a number of background vocals before financial problems forced the label to go under in 1995. They folded with my album. Then came MCA records in 1996 where I recorded the single Nobody Else. It didn’t do so good on the charts. I moved on to Soulife in Los Angeles in 1999. We went for a tour of Europe and Brazil and came back to find Soulife is under, too. I needed something better than the string of tragedies in my career.
Did things change?
They finally did. In 2003, I performed in Los Angeles in a show attended by some great names in music, including Michael Mauldin. He was a great fellow as head of Columbia Records and his son was in music too. These guys saw the vision. I was hooked up with their label and did great albums. I had waited ten years for this you know. You must hang in there if you know what you want.
What are some of your great pieces?
In 2003, I sang a chorus for Nappy Roots “Po” Folks and won a Grammy Award for best collaboration. Then the big album, Comin’ From Where I’m From with a single under the same name. This one got a Platinum in 2004. I had another single, Charlene, that peaked at 19 on Hot 100. Then there is Ain’t Nobody Worryin’. Nairobi will get more of these during the performance this weekend. (The performance took place last weekend in Nairobi.)
You say you have listened to some African musicians. What do you think of their work?
Africa has got talent. I have been listening to Atemi (Carol) and the stuff is great. West Africa has got Fela and Femi Kuti not to forget Zonke. I am visiting the academy (Tusker Project Fame) to see what more they’ve got. There is talent in the continent waiting to be discovered.
This is your first visit to Kenya. What are your first impressions?
Kenya is a great country. Its got a lot of culture. I have visited a few places and the people are just great. Its like coming home. People are also busier than I initially thought and that’s good. I have been to South Africa and I like the pace of life on this side. I went to Nairobi Park National on Thursday last week and it was great to be in the wild a few minutes from this hotel (Nairobi Hemingways).
What do you look forward to in your stage performances?
I love connecting with the audience. This is what I hope to achieve in Nairobi. I need a crowd with energy.