Grammy nominated R&B trio THE HAMILTONES and Anthony Hamilton's famed background vocalists delivers their long awaited project, Watch the Ton3s via Young Vintage Entertainment.
Loaded with heavenly harmonies, carefully crafted lyrics and live instrumentation that hark back to a time when you didn't just listen to music, you felt it.
The five-track project features guest appearances from Ricco Barrino and Phonte (of Little Brother) and includes the single, "Pieces".
RnBJunkieOfficial had the opportunity to interview the group to discuss their project, upcoming Essence Festival performance and much more. See HERE!
THE HAMILTONES first got their start as background vocalists for Anthony Hamilton and now the North Carolina natives and Grammy nominated R&B/Soul trio is set to release their debut EP Watch the Ton3s on June 7th via Young Vintage LLC. I caught up with the viral sensational group to discuss their debut single “Pieces”, upcoming EP, Essence Festival 2019 & more...
TERRANCE: Introduce yourselves and your individual roles in The HamilTones.
J. VITO: I’m J. Vito and I am the very black one (laughs).
TONY LELO: I’m Tony Lelo and I am the Guitar player.
2E: And I am 2E. I’m the one. The yellow one.
TERRANCE: Talk about the debut single “Pieces” and how it came together for you guys.
TONY LELO: “Pieces” is a beautiful song written by a wonderful member of The HamilTones, the black one, Mr. J. Vito. He was going through some things at the time and thought it would be a good situation to bring the song to us and we just all happened to be in love with the song and so we wanted to give the song to the people to see if they felt the same way we felt and so far, so good. That’s how “Pieces” came together my brotha’ and this is our first single leading into our freshman project and “Pieces” is the song.
TERRANCE: Detail us about the upcoming EP Watch the Ton3s which drops in June as far as producers and collaborators.
J. VITO: Well, we have a song called “Alone” produced by The Colleagues and written by The Hamiltones. There’s a young man by the name of Blanco from Atlanta. We produce as well as write, so we all play a part in the production and writing of our project. Rico Barrino [Fantasia’s brother] guest on the project as well on the song “MCBYL” and Phonte from Foreign Exchange is on the official remix.
TERRANCE: What are your overall thoughts on the state of R&B music right now?
TONY LELO: R&B is an everyday growing thing. What we want to do is show the world that there are still some brothers out there who can sang and it’s not just one or two people in the group who can sang, but it’s all three of us who can do our thang.
TERRANCE: You guys will be performing at this year’s Essence Festival in July. What are you looking forward to and what can we expect?
2E: The main thing that we are expecting is for the people to be there and have a good time. What we stand for is love, unity, one accord, being together and ultimately having a good time and that’s why when you see our videos, we’re laughing and cutting jokes on each other. It’s all about having a good time when you’re having a down time in your life. When people watch our videos, hear our music or come out to the Festival to watch us perform and leave with a smile on their face then I feel we’ve done our job.
TERRANCE: Where can the readers follow you on social media?
J. VITO: They can follow us @thehamiltonesnc on all social media. All of our shows, videos, new stuff that’s about to happen and any type of giveaways. Everything will be right there on Facebook, Instagram all the way to Twitter.
Grammy nominated R&B Singer-songwriter, author, advocate and TV personality SYLEENA JOHNSON recently released the new empowering female anthem “Woman” which serves as the lead single and title track from her upcoming 9th studio LP on January 31st. I caught up with Syleena where she updates us on her self-help book, The Weight Is Over, new music, Upcoming events and much more...
TERRANCE: Since our last interview, you’ve published a self-help book titled, The Weight Is Over: My Journey to Loving My Body From the Outside In. Update us on that and why it was important for you to share your message with the world.
SYLEENA JOHNSON: Well, I’ve been thinking about this book since 2013. I had a dream about this book actually and started writing it then. I went to a couple of ghostwriters and I stayed with Amera McCoy and sat with her and she was pretty good. She’s the only one that kinda got my vision but I still had to take over and write my own story. She showed me how to structure it though, but I had to take over because I knew that if I had written a book and my fans read it and they did not hear my voice when they were reading it, then it wouldn’t be right. I finished writing the book last year at the end of September and it came out on October 15th. I just felt like as an entertainer, you know, we sing about our life stories all the time, but I thought it would be a more intimate look into the things that I deal with as a woman and to be able to connect with other women especially since I’m a Health Awareness advocate. I advocate for black women and their health. I’m big on it and I want us to change our diets and I want us to eat better, but it’s really not so much about weight loss, it’s moreso; about depression, so The Weight Is Over is anonymously the ideology of the pressure of being a woman, you know what I’m saying? So The Weight Is Over is about changing your perspective so that the stress that’s in your life isn’t so heavy on you all the time. You change your perspective about each one.
TERRANCE: Getting into the lead single “Woman”. Talk about the events that led up to recording that particular song.
SYLEENA JOHNSON: Oh my Goodness. Well, you know what? Let me tell you something. God must’ve knew something about that song. Based on what we are going through right now as women in America and this attack with this abortion bill, it is just outrageous with the attack on women. The way that police officers are shooting us down dead and we’re being thrown to the ground. We’re being disrespected to such a high level right now and it’s outrageous and outlandish. It’s interesting because this song could not have come at a better time. It’s almost like, if you listen to the lyrics, it speaks to every problem that’s going on right now. I was pushed to write this record simply because it’s interesting, I’m on the other side of the couch now. If you think about it, Sister Circle is a press forum, you know what I’m saying? People come to us on their press runs, so at the end of the day I’ve been privy to information that as an artist I wasn’t and it changed my viewpoint on America as a woman and our role as a woman in America. When you’re an artist and I don’t mean to say this in a bad way but you’re kinda in lalaland and oh everything’s cute, great and Earthly Joys because it’s about creativity, but no that’s not what’s poppin’ in them streets. They’re out here shooting us down. Another thing too, is the internet has become a press outlet, low key, because now everyone have access to everything that’s going on in our nation. Their amplified and the fact there’s footage floating around of that woman that was shot down by that police officer. That’s not something we would have seen maybe ten years ago, we probably wouldn’t have had that type of access and so I think because I’m a little more aware, I think that record comes from a place of anger and not anger as in angry black woman but frustration, you know what I’m saying? What are we doing with our women? Why aren’t we upholding our women? What is going on in the world? When men aren’t protecting us anymore as if it’s out of style or did it get played out? What happened to where women are getting disrespected and we have to have a whole movement called #MeToo and #TimesUp with women marching and all kinds of foolishness. What’s happening to where we have to redo this? It’s like the feminist movement all over again, so the song is appropriate for the time.
TERRANCE: What can you tell us about your upcoming album Woman as far as collaborators and content?
SYLEENA JOHNSON: I’m working with a producer out in Chicago. “Toxic” is my producer and Audio One which is his production team and I’ve worked with them before on Chapter 4: Labor Pains and Chapter 5: Underrated. “Toxic” is my music husband. The chemistry between the two of us as far as music is concerned is undeniable. He gets me and he might be one of the very few people in the world that understands me musically and what I’m trying to say lyrically as well and so for me it’s not about, oh I need to go and get this producer and that producer. For me, it’s about working with talent and working with genius minds that understands the Syleena Johnson voice and vocal, that’s all I want to do. I just want creative people and people who want me to be creative and want me to be myself down to these records. I don’t think any of my music has not been me. I think that every album that I’ve ever put out has really been me at that time in my life, so I’m proud of everything I’ve put out and I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve put out any trash or anything I can look back on and be like, I don’t know who I was trying to impress that day. I don’t have any music like that. So that’s very good to be able to live with that, however; on this next project there is something that you might not have heard and it’s a piece of me that I couldn’t give before because I felt in the past that it may not have been received properly, but because we’re in such a time where you can be who you are, I just feel now is the time. One of the things I’ve always felt was like, I want to do songs that when I’m on stage, I’m in love with them just as much as the audience and so that’s been like my focal point coming from that context. I want to make records that when I sing them, I’m just as overwhelmed or getting just as much satisfaction as the people in the audience. That’s my ultimate goal.
TERRANCE: That’s the way it’s supposed to be.
SYLEENA JOHNSON: Yeah, but it’s not. You know, a lot of times we get caught up in what’s going to sell and we lose ourselves in that.
TERRANCE: I noticed you dropped Chapter off of this album title.
SYLEENA JOHNSON: I did. I let go of the Chapters because that book is done. That part of my life is done and everything that I’ve ever done has made me a better woman and it has accumulated to what you see in me as a woman. TERRANCE: What do you hope fans and listeners take away from the Woman experience?
SYLEENA JOHNSON: Like with all my other albums, I want it to be timeless. I want them to be able to listen from beginning to end. My focus is for it to be all of the different elements and emotions of a woman’s heart and mind and so it’s going to be great. It’s crazy because I didn’t even know we were going to be having such a bad time in America right now, so it’s like right on time, you know what I’m saying? So I can really just go in and turn up on the lyrics because they’re out here trippin’ when it comes to women. I want it to be something that can be played through all ages and stages of life.
TERRANCE: Besides the album, can we expect any shows or special events anywhere anytime soon?
SYLEENA JOHNSON: I’m getting ready to possibly bring out a skincare line with Kimo Bentley, so I’m just movin’ and groovin’ and when I tell you movin’ and groovin’, God is extra good right now. I’m just excited about my new album and everything that I’m doing to prepare for it, so it’s going to be a really, really great big Summer. I have some other things coming but I can’t speak on them at this time, but they are coming.
TERRANCE: I would assume one is the Clothing Partnership with NYC?
SYLEENA JOHNSON: Exactly. Oh my God. Okay, so I’m a brand ambassador with the Clothing Partnership with NYC, but we are in talks about increasing and expanding our partnership as well. Everyday women can really relate to those type of clothing because they are affordable, their beautiful, sturdy and not chimsey, slimsey and cheap and they are great quality clothes you can get at a decent price, so it’s clothing for the everyday woman and the working woman. They have joggers and a swimsuit line and I’m very, very proud of the company and the way that they have evolved with their clothes and the people that they have in their ads. You have the Kate Hudson line, Gabrielle Union line, and so I think it’s an excellent brand and I’m honored to have a partnership with them.
Rising R&B/Pop sensation STAN GENIUS is ready to take the music world by storm. The Singer-songwriter released his first project LightSkin Issues in 2017 followed by A Genius Holiday. I caught up with Stan Genius to discuss his latest single "Cross Your Mind", Upcoming Project, Musical Influences & much more...
TERRANCE: First, tell us a little about where you’re from and when you realized you were ready to share your gifts with the world.
STAN GENIUS: I'm from Atlanta, Georgia. Music is always something I knew I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to share my gift with the world by age 5, by putting on my first “homemade” concert as well as selling original CD’s.
TERRANCE: Who were your musical influences growing up?
STAN GENIUS: Michael Jackson, Charlie Wilson, Luther Vandross, and Stevie Wonder were all very influential to me at a young age.
TERRANCE: In one word describe your sound.
STAN GENIUS: FUN! It's RnB with a Pop appeal.
TERRANCE: As a songwriter, do you usually write from the experiences of your own or the experiences of others?
STAN GENIUS: Hahaha.. both. I can see something casual in life that may not pertain to me that I think is a good concept for a song, but the more personal and serious ones are usually experiences of my own.
TERRANCE: Talk about the inspiration behind your single “Cross Your Mind”.
STAN GENIUS: "Cross Your Mind" was a very fun song to write haha. Me and B (my writing partner) wrote it literally in like 30min over FaceTime. Just thinking of that place in a relationship where it seems like things have hit the fan but you don’t want it to end, which I think is a very relatable feeling for everyone.
TERRANCE: What can you tell us about your upcoming project Star Burst?
STAN GENIUS: Of course. I can definitely say that this music is the best I've ever made and I can’t wait for my fans to hear. It’s very fun and has a great energy. I believe it will make you happy!
TERRANCE: Do you consider social media fundamental to an artist career and independent music in general?
STAN GENIUS: No, I think what’s fundamental is your product, your music. Not a number of followers. I think it can be a great platform to reach people and show your work but I think it's sad that there's so many talented people that do not get the shot they deserve because everything is based off that number.
TERRANCE: From your perspective, what’s a key quality that makes an artist great?
STAN GENIUS: That artist believing that they are intact great.
TERRANCE: What are your aspirations outside of music?
STAN GENIUS: Love this question. One of my biggest goals outside of music is to buy the Falcons when I'm older.
TERRANCE: Are there any upcoming shows, special events or appearances you can tell us about?
STAN GENIUS: I will be performing at the HotLanta Music Festival this month as well as my on going High-School Tour with Hot 107.9 and MEG in Atlanta.
TERRANCE: What advice would you give to the aspiring artist who aspire to do what you do?
STAN GENIUS: Don’t let anyone tell you want you can’t do. Find ways to keep inspiring yourself to keep going EVEN when you DON'T see the results! That's what makes the difference.
TERRANCE: Any final words you would like to share with the readers, your fans and followers about yourself and your music?
STAN GENIUS: I love you all so much, can’t wait for you to hear this new music! Till next time.
Multiple Grammy Award-winning recording artist and songwriter CARVIN WINANS has released his debut solo album, In the Softest Way.
The 11-track collection is a well-balanced mixture of ballads and mid-tempo songs ranging from R&B to Inspirational. In addition, the album features guest appearances by Stevie Wonder, Kenny G., Tony Maiden and Winans twin brother Marvin and production handled by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, The Jackie Boyz to name a few.
The albums lead single "Once in a Lifetime" quickly moved up the charts followed by subsequent songs "Misunderstood" and "If You Only Knew My Heart".
Last year, RnBJunkieOfficial caught up with Carvin Winans for an Exclusive interview to discuss his project and what's to come. SeeHERE!
Emerging singer/songwriter, LORELLE HOWARD, has spent the last two years preparing a three part, experimental album based on her love of the number 7 and her fascination with the moon. Reconnecting with multi-platinum French producer, Blastar (Pusha T, Tyga, Dinos) in 2017, they began working on the independent project and finished recording the final songs in Paris. The first part, SE7EN PHASES: Moonscape, features a unique blend of genres and includes a track for each type of listener. Each song lures you in and then builds, leaving you inspired to hear more. More importantly each track has a message and discusses relatable themes. Written and recorded in Montreal and Paris, Moonscape is available across all platforms and her latest visual for her single, “Black Sheep” can be found on YouTube. If you happen to be in London, you may catch Lorelle singing one of her originals at various open mics.
'Se7en Phases: Moonscape' is available on all digital streaming music services
TERRANCE: First off, congratulations on the release of your debut
EP Se7en Phases: Moonscape. What has the feedback been like thus far?
LORELLE
HOWARD:Thank you so much. So far I've had some pretty
good feedback. I'm currently in London and I've met some incredibly talented
people who have been super supportive. It's been just over 2 weeks though, so
we will be pushing Moonscape for a
bit.
TERRANCE: How would you describe the creative process behind this project?
LORELLE
HOWARD:Moonscape
is just one piece of who I am. With this part, we wanted to actually explore
sounds that I normally didn't use. My first single, “Shadows”, was an original
I wrote and played acoustically and my producer elevated it to give it a more
current sound, but it was super R&B. We wanted to push my capabilities with
this Moonscape and it really worked.
We discussed concepts and sounds and were led by that. Every single track has a
little story behind it and that helped us to remain really creative. We also
decided to do a 3 part project because we understood that there was no way to
portray our artistry over 7 tracks. So Moonscape
is just a glimpse. Also, each part features a song that is
"other"...one that is not like the others. In this case, “The Moon”
is the track that is different than the rest. It's simply an expression through
sound. The other 2 parts will feature the same thing. It's truly an
experimental project.
TERRANCE: Talk about the story behind your single “Black Sheep”.
LORELLE
HOWARD: “Black Sheep” is a really personal song. With
Blastar, my producer, we had many conversations about my sound and his music and
I expressed feelings of self-doubt and feeling like I wasn't making popular
music. We both have so many stories about this exact feeling and we wanted to
create a song about it. Sort of how other people can put you down. It's this
idea that as an artist you should be as creative as possible, but don't be too
"other". Don't go too far or else it won't be understood. So it's a
song about trying to find my voice as an artist and sort of questioning what
I'm doing because I think everyone questions what they are doing at some point.
But at the end of the day, although I'm saying I may feel like a black sheep
sometimes, the message is to keep working and fighting for what you believe in.
No matter what.
TERRANCE: What was the filming process and experience like behind
the visual?
LORELLE
HOWARD: I love thisvisual because it was
really a last minute decision. We wanted to capture something moody and dark
and one day my producer said let's walk around Paris and film. So it's 2 half
days of footage spliced together. It was raining at one point, but it added to
the overall vibe. We had other ideas too, but this just happened to work. We
wanted to be literal. Like I'm a black sheep so I'm alone. Trying to find my
way. And that's what the clip is. Super moody, dark and me trying to find my
path.
TERRANCE: Is there a particular song on the EP that was harder to record than
others?
LORELLE
HOWARD: I'm like a speed recorder normally, but I was
sick when I finished recording “Landmine” actually. This is always difficult.
When you feel your voice wanting to give out, but you already paid for the
session so you have to make it work. “Ascent” was also interesting as I only
sang twice all the way through and we chose the best of each take. It's an
emotional song so I had to control the urge to cry during that one.
TERRANCE: What role does Brooklyn play in your music?
LORELLE
HOWARD: Brooklyn is where I spent majority of my adult
life. I have seen so many things. I've watched my neighborhood change
completely. I've worked in various places throughout Brooklyn. Majority of my
friends are in New York and so songs like “No Change”, which is about staying
loyal to the crew you have already, reminds me of Brooklyn and the people I
love there.
TERRANCE: Are there any artists you would like to collaborate with
in the near future?
LORELLE
HOWARD: Of course. As an independent artist, there are
literally a ton of independents I would love to work with. In terms of mainstream,
I would say Janelle Monae would be first. The life in her voice is incredible.
Brandy is someone who I would just like to sit in a room with and listen to her
sing. I've dreamed of working with her. Next I would say Jaden Smith and
Childish Gambino. I think they are both super talented and intelligent.
Independents would be KO-lition and Chris Brown, who actually
happen to be friends of mine. Super talented brothers who are making waves
right now. There are also some incredible artists I've met while in London:
Geo, SOA, Laura Roy and Marc TC. Great talent. Go look them up. You won't be
disappointed.
TERRANCE: Outside of music, what inspires you?
LORELLE HOWARD:I can be inspired by
anything actually. Sometimes it's one conversation with my mom. Sometimes
watching the people around me whom I love grinding. Nature. I'm inspired when I
hear the laughter of a child. Honestly, we have a lot to be inspired by.
TERRANCE: Can we expect to see you hit the road anytime soon?
LORELLE HOWARD: My main plan is to do some smaller shows in NY and Montreal,
which will hopefully turn into a tour. I also am working on the 2nd part of Se7en Phases, which will be out pretty
soon. So we will see as I still have recording to do.
TERRANCE: In the next five years, where do you see yourself as an
artist?
LORELLE HOWARD:Honestly, every day I'm evolving. My life is always changing; the
world is changing. I always try to tell stories that reflect my present and I
hope people relate. So I hope in 5 years, I'm doing something bigger that will
affect change within people. My goal is always to inspire so as long as I stay
true to that, I'm good.
TERRANCE: If you could create the ultimate throwback R&B
playlist, what songs would you feature?
LORELLE HOWARD:Aaliyah for sure. Anything Aaliyah.
Mary J. Blige - Real Love
Brandy - I Wanna Be Down
Brownstone - If You Love Me
Blackstreet - No Diggity
Ginuwine - Pony
Total - Can't You Se
TLC - What About Your Friends
Soul For Real - Candy Rain
112 - Only You
Faith Evans - Love Like This
Mya - It's All About Me
SWV - I'm So Into You
Add any Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Jodeci, Xscape, Tony Toni Tone,
702, Next and we're good.
This list can go on forever....
TERRANCE: Lastly, what
do you hope listeners take away from the Se7en Phases: Moonscape
experience?
LORELLE HOWARD:I hope people find a song that resonates within them and their
lives. Each track is so different, but each song has a message if you listen. I
also hope people love the music. A lot of work went into choosing each song. I
want people to know that this is just a taste though!
