anthony slams david again with
simple man
by Amelia “Ameliaismore” Moore Within every industry there are performers and then you have the creatives. It’s been argued that within the music industry performers tend to be the artists who represent the pop culture or the commercial sound of today’s urban music called R&B. The creatives, who generally are singers, songwriters (and in some cases producers), have been categorized as Neo Soul or Soul singers. The discussion then continues with the popularity of the two genres and its distinction. While one genre covers what’s happening now, the other gives you a feeling of something old made new again. Bronze Magazine caught up with triple threat producer, singer, and songwriter Anthony David, to discuss this topic and so much more as a prelude to his May 28th concert, the ATL Soul Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, in which he will perform along with other singer/songwriters such as Syleena Johnson, Laylah Hathaway, Rahsaan Patterson, Avery Sunshine, Angie Stone, Goapelle, and the list goes on. The ATL Soul Music Life Fest is hailed as the largest annual Soul Music Festival in the SE region. With this year marking its 2nd annual event, it is highly anticipated to be an encore experience to last year’s festival which was sponsored by McDonald’s. Last year, fans traveled from all over the U.S. for this first of its kind experience. It sold out with a record setting attendance of over 10,000 people for the two-night festival. Once again, this year it takes place at the Wolf Creek Amphitheater for all to enjoy an outdoor festival of melodically-soulful entertainment. As with any artist you haven’t seen in a while, especially a two time Grammy & Soul Train Awards Nominated Recording artist, I had to start with the question: “Where have you been?” AD: I took a little hiatus. I took about a year off to handle some business. I was on another label and now I’m on a new label, Shanachie Entertainment. I also did some acting. I’m playing the role of Maurice White (R.I.P.) and some TV and a little theatre. The play, “Chasin the Blues,” is with an Atlanta theatre company, True Colors, with director, Kenny Leone who just did the Wiz last year. I did a lot of guitar and singing in it. In the movie, “Nice Guys,” I played Maurice White. I’m also doing a project with Oprah that is like a mega church drama series. After finding out about his new album, Simple Man, which is out now, I got an opportunity to reflect with Anthony and tap into the journey he has taken in the music industry that continues to take him places which enable his art and expression to grow. I asked him to reflect on the first big record he did with India Arie called “Word,” and what that felt like for him? AD: I had been working with India Arie for years, so when the record dropped I was a solo artist. It was a switch because I had been on the road with her and Shannon so it was cool I guess. When I got the Grammy Nomination for it was when I felt like people were paying attention. Shannon didn’t have anything to do with that record. Even though when we did the song “4 Evermore” that was my first Top #20 song on the R&B Charts.
Next we spoke about what it takes to be consistent in the music industry. In order to do that we had to fast forward 12 years. I then asked: “A lot of people feel it happens overnight, but you know it takes time to be successful. What have you learned about the entertainment business both professionally and personally over the years?” AD: I learned that you can take it anywhere. It’s a business but you don’t have to treat it like the way a lot of people treat it. A lot of people treat it like some magic land. Yet, you don’t have to do that to have a career in this business. A lot of people have conspiracy theories. I think you just have to get out there and sell your stuff. You don’t really have to be immersed in all that industry stuff. In this business it’s about relationships. It’s like running your own business but a lot sexier. As the interview began to morph into a conversation we talked about how the roots or person’s origins shape them as a creative. Anthony was rooted in the church and his music seems to personify that influence so I asked, “Do you think being rooted in the church helps you with your music and dealing with the music industry?” AD: No, I’m actually an atheist. (Laughter) Christian life is where I come from but I’m not that. I do feel a sense of ethics, morality and community, and as an artist coming from the soul background I am more of a humanist. You have people listening to you, so you BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM MAY 2016
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