Anthony Hamilton Bio
Anthony Cornelius Hamilton (born January 28, 1971) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer known for his rich vocals and his contributions to contemporary R&B and neo-soul. Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, he first signed with Uptown Records, an imprint of MCA Records, where he recorded his debut studio album XTC. Although that project was shelved in 1996, Hamilton eventually reached mainstream listeners through his guest performance on Nappy Roots’ 2002 single “Po’ Folks,” which led to a deal with Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def Recordings.
His second studio album, Comin’ from Where I’m From (2003), received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), earned four Grammy Award nominations, and produced the 2004 hit single “Charlene.” Over the following years, he released additional acclaimed albums, earned gold certifications, and won a Grammy Award from twelve career nominations. Hamilton has also co-written and performed “Freedom,” a duet featured on the soundtrack to the 2012 film Django Unchained.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Cornelius Hamilton was born on January 28, 1971, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Growing up in the city, he was raised in a household that valued music, and he began singing in his church choir at the age of 17, an experience that helped shape his early vocal style and his love of soul and gospel traditions.
He attended South Mecklenburg High School, where he performed with the school’s award-winning choir directed by Mark Setzer. The school years gave him a steady platform to refine his singing and to perform in front of audiences, which laid the foundation for his future career as a recording artist.
Path to Music
After finishing high school, Hamilton’s path to the music industry began in 1992, when he met producer Mark Sparks, who encouraged him to leave Charlotte and move to New York City. Once there, he signed with Andre Harrell’s Uptown Records and began work on his first major project. In 1996, he recorded the album XTC for MCA Records, but the release was ultimately shelved because its singles failed to chart.
Hamilton continued to build his reputation behind the scenes, co-writing the 1999 hit “U Know What’s Up” for singer Donell Jones and joining D’Angelo’s international tour in 2000 as a backup singer in support of the Voodoo album. These early experiences kept him connected to the industry and helped him develop as a songwriter and performer until his mainstream breakthrough arrived in 2002.
Anthony Hamilton Career
Early Career (1992-2002)
Hamilton’s early career was defined by persistence and steady growth. After his Uptown Records deal, he released the unreleased debut XTC in 1996, and in the years that followed he contributed as a songwriter and guest vocalist. He co-wrote Donell Jones’ 1999 hit “U Know What’s Up” and toured internationally with D’Angelo in support of the Voodoo album, gaining valuable stage experience and industry exposure.
He also signed with Chris Dawley’s Soulife Records and recorded material that would later be assembled into the 2005 compilation Soulife. His mainstream introduction came in 2002, when he performed the chorus on Nappy Roots’ single “Po’ Folks,” which peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
Breakthrough (2003-2008)
Hamilton’s breakthrough arrived with his 2003 album Comin’ from Where I’m From, which reached platinum status and spawned the hit single “Charlene” in 2004. The single peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the album earned him four Grammy Award nominations, firmly establishing him as a leading voice in contemporary R&B.
He followed that success with Ain’t Nobody Worryin’ (2005), which received gold certification from the RIAA and featured guest appearances across several projects, including a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Lay Lady Lay” on Buddy Guy’s 2005 album Bring ‘Em In. In 2006, he won the BET J “Cool Like That” Award and appeared on Chappelle’s Show, and in 2008 he released The Point of It All, which also received gold certification and peaked within the top 20 of the Billboard 200.
Notable Works and Milestones
Hamilton’s signature work remains Comin’ from Where I’m From, anchored by the enduring single “Charlene.” His later gold-certified albums, Ain’t Nobody Worryin’ and The Point of It All, reinforced his reputation, while his 2012 collaboration “Freedom” with Elayna Boynton for the Django Unchained soundtrack brought his voice to a wide film audience and stands as one of his most recognized crossover moments.
Anthony Hamilton Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Anthony Hamilton has received twelve Grammy Award nominations, including four for his 2003 breakthrough album Comin’ from Where I’m From and additional nominations for collaborations such as his guest appearance on Nappy Roots’ “Po’ Folks” (Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, 2003) and Jadakiss’ “Why” (Best Rap/Sung Collaboration). These nominations reflect his consistent presence as both a solo artist and a featured vocalist across R&B and hip-hop projects.
Anthony Hamilton Awards Won
Anthony Hamilton has won one Grammy Award from twelve nominations. He also received the BET J “Cool Like That” Award at the 2006 BET Awards, an honor that recognized his growing influence on R&B and soul audiences during the mid-2000s.
Anthony Hamilton Family
Anthony Hamilton has six sons. He was married to his background singer, Tarsha McMillan, in 2005, and the couple welcomed twin boys on November 2, 2010. On June 11, 2012, Hamilton announced the birth of another son on his official Facebook page.
Personal Life
Hamilton began dating Tarsha McMillan in 2003, and the two married in 2005. After ten years of marriage, the couple announced on June 20, 2015, that they were getting a divorce. He is a father of six sons and has continued to balance his family life with his recording career and live performances.