| Welcome to HerndonDavis.com! Home of The Herndon Davis Diversity Reports Educational, Inspirational, Motivational |
| Empowering The World's Diversity |
| The Life and Songs of |
| Anthony Antoine |
He has released a total of 8 music projects and has appeared on
countless others. His non-traditional lyrics offer his listeners a
diversity of messages which speak from his own poetry, activism,
and work in HIV prevention. In addition he tackles hot button
topics dealing with sex and sexuality as well as inspirational themes
of learning to overcome adversity through the power of dance.
In fact he calls himself the Price of Edutainment as he is blessed
with powerful vocals that can rap as well as belt out powerful
house tunes. His name is Anthony Antoine, a pop, hip-hop and
R&B infused artist who has taken his music to a bold level of
empowerment and affirmation.
countless others. His non-traditional lyrics offer his listeners a
diversity of messages which speak from his own poetry, activism,
and work in HIV prevention. In addition he tackles hot button
topics dealing with sex and sexuality as well as inspirational themes
of learning to overcome adversity through the power of dance.
In fact he calls himself the Price of Edutainment as he is blessed
with powerful vocals that can rap as well as belt out powerful
house tunes. His name is Anthony Antoine, a pop, hip-hop and
R&B infused artist who has taken his music to a bold level of
empowerment and affirmation.
| by: Herndon L. Davis |
| The Early Years |
Anthony Antoine grew up poor in the urban dwellings of Newark, NJ. His
father died when he was 6 years old and his mother shouldered the
responsibility of the family, enduring numerous challenges and sacrifices.
In fact Anthony, can still recall this phase of his life with crystal clarity adding
that “The most significant event that impacted my childhood was my father
dying…I remember being really depressed about that, not knowing it was
depression. And then coming to terms with my sexuality was high on that list
too. I think my mom being a survivor, a fighter with undeniable spirit has
created that activist spirit in me too. I often tell my mom that the fruit does not
fall far from the tree when she is amazed at the leaps that my brother and I
have made in life.”
After intense struggle and pain people often find their release, refuge and
affirmation through other means or vices. For Anthony, music was high on his
list. “I'm a child of 80's music. I loved Prince and the Minneapolis sound; I loved
all the old school greats including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Marvin
Gaye, and Patti Labelle.” These early influences would later on help to form the
style and comfort of Anthony Antoine’s music.
father died when he was 6 years old and his mother shouldered the
responsibility of the family, enduring numerous challenges and sacrifices.
In fact Anthony, can still recall this phase of his life with crystal clarity adding
that “The most significant event that impacted my childhood was my father
dying…I remember being really depressed about that, not knowing it was
depression. And then coming to terms with my sexuality was high on that list
too. I think my mom being a survivor, a fighter with undeniable spirit has
created that activist spirit in me too. I often tell my mom that the fruit does not
fall far from the tree when she is amazed at the leaps that my brother and I
have made in life.”
After intense struggle and pain people often find their release, refuge and
affirmation through other means or vices. For Anthony, music was high on his
list. “I'm a child of 80's music. I loved Prince and the Minneapolis sound; I loved
all the old school greats including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Marvin
Gaye, and Patti Labelle.” These early influences would later on help to form the
style and comfort of Anthony Antoine’s music.
| Anthony Antoine’s Evolution |
At the age of seventeen, the headstrong dreamer moved to London and began
his recording career. "I wanted to create a story to tell for my life similar to
young Madonna's move to New York." And create a story for himself is exactly
what Anthony did.
For six years he spent what he calls his “college years” in Europe becoming a
vocal sensation working with some of London’s best producers such as Paul
Hardcastle. He later became a recognizable artist in Europe releasing Billboard
charting singles and soon had songs in radio rotation, videos on MTV and a
strenuous European tour schedule which included being an opening act for
C&C Music Factory.
When he moved back to the states, Anthony’s musical and artistic evolution
continued to flourish. He graduated from college with honors and began
releasing music CD’s in America which combined both his personal and
professional experiences into savvy, socially conscious yet entertaining
products.
“My music is certainly black & gay all day. It's music FUBU (for us, by us). Its
music interesting enough for mainstream society but truly, its music especially
made with gay folks in mind, particularly black gay folks.”
And with technology, an entrepreneurial spirit and of course talent, Anthony
has amassed a fan base that circles the world of diversity and tolerance.
“I'm amazed by people who find my music. Naturally, black gay folks are my
biggest supporters. The people that know my music swear by my music and
know the individual place on their iPod or CD player that I hold. Not many
artists are doing what I do. But the truth with the internet, iTunes and other
website sites to sell my music - especially CD Baby - I know there are people in
Thailand with Anthony Antoine music.
There are people with my CD on their iPod in Europe and Africa . That keeps
me doing what I do. Even if it’s not millions, its hundreds to thousands and
that motivates me. I appreciate that blessing.”
his recording career. "I wanted to create a story to tell for my life similar to
young Madonna's move to New York." And create a story for himself is exactly
what Anthony did.
For six years he spent what he calls his “college years” in Europe becoming a
vocal sensation working with some of London’s best producers such as Paul
Hardcastle. He later became a recognizable artist in Europe releasing Billboard
charting singles and soon had songs in radio rotation, videos on MTV and a
strenuous European tour schedule which included being an opening act for
C&C Music Factory.
When he moved back to the states, Anthony’s musical and artistic evolution
continued to flourish. He graduated from college with honors and began
releasing music CD’s in America which combined both his personal and
professional experiences into savvy, socially conscious yet entertaining
products.
“My music is certainly black & gay all day. It's music FUBU (for us, by us). Its
music interesting enough for mainstream society but truly, its music especially
made with gay folks in mind, particularly black gay folks.”
And with technology, an entrepreneurial spirit and of course talent, Anthony
has amassed a fan base that circles the world of diversity and tolerance.
“I'm amazed by people who find my music. Naturally, black gay folks are my
biggest supporters. The people that know my music swear by my music and
know the individual place on their iPod or CD player that I hold. Not many
artists are doing what I do. But the truth with the internet, iTunes and other
website sites to sell my music - especially CD Baby - I know there are people in
Thailand with Anthony Antoine music.
There are people with my CD on their iPod in Europe and Africa . That keeps
me doing what I do. Even if it’s not millions, its hundreds to thousands and
that motivates me. I appreciate that blessing.”
| Anthony’s Socially Conscious Yet Sexually Charged Message |
On some tracks he’s sensual while others he’s downright sexy, all telling a
unique story of HIV Prevention, intense sexual encounters that later need
hepatitis vaccinations, issues dealing with gay marriage, as well as the need
for perseverance to overcome adversity through the art and energy of dance.
“The stories of my life and the stories of my friends around me: I tell stories
with my music and truly, I can't make myself write a song. I live my life and
allow the songs to come through me. I pay attention to my world and I am
inspired to write a song by life itself. That's my creative process, to live life
and pay attention.”
In fact Anthony’s musical stories are a vibrant tapestry of experiences from
within the Black gay community, a segment that has often become the
whipping boy for all that ills Black society. Yet through it all there is a
positive, educational, and uplifting message to catch between the bump,
rhythm, grind, and rap of his Anthony’s music.
He quips that “You'll never hear an Anthony Antoine song that parade lyrics
contrary to feeling good about yourself and where you are in the world. I
have a 16 year old daughter and know the influence of music on the
younger generation. I know and watch this closely first hand. It's clearly
relevant to put messages in music because music is raising a generation of
kids these days.”
But there’s no greater reward for a musical artist than when your fans truly
get your message, understand your vibe, and give you both the affirmation
and the confirmation that yes, you’re living out your ordained purpose in life.
“One person sent me an email breaking down every song on my CD, telling
me what the song meant to them. It was deep because some of what I was
feeling when writing and recording the song, he got it. I was so moved.
That's so important to me.”
unique story of HIV Prevention, intense sexual encounters that later need
hepatitis vaccinations, issues dealing with gay marriage, as well as the need
for perseverance to overcome adversity through the art and energy of dance.
“The stories of my life and the stories of my friends around me: I tell stories
with my music and truly, I can't make myself write a song. I live my life and
allow the songs to come through me. I pay attention to my world and I am
inspired to write a song by life itself. That's my creative process, to live life
and pay attention.”
In fact Anthony’s musical stories are a vibrant tapestry of experiences from
within the Black gay community, a segment that has often become the
whipping boy for all that ills Black society. Yet through it all there is a
positive, educational, and uplifting message to catch between the bump,
rhythm, grind, and rap of his Anthony’s music.
He quips that “You'll never hear an Anthony Antoine song that parade lyrics
contrary to feeling good about yourself and where you are in the world. I
have a 16 year old daughter and know the influence of music on the
younger generation. I know and watch this closely first hand. It's clearly
relevant to put messages in music because music is raising a generation of
kids these days.”
But there’s no greater reward for a musical artist than when your fans truly
get your message, understand your vibe, and give you both the affirmation
and the confirmation that yes, you’re living out your ordained purpose in life.
“One person sent me an email breaking down every song on my CD, telling
me what the song meant to them. It was deep because some of what I was
feeling when writing and recording the song, he got it. I was so moved.
That's so important to me.”
Without burden, pain, sacrifice or challenges, we would not understand the
true value of our worth, the talent that we possess inside and the
spirituality that guides us to it. This has been the case many times for
Anthony as he continues to navigate his way through the choppy musical
seas as both an independent and openly gay artist.
But amazingly Anthony views his biggest challenges in life as having not
been the external forces of racism, homophobia or industry competition, but
instead it has come from himself.
“I am my biggest challenge and simply living life itself. I work a full time job
and to promote your music is a full time job. I have a 16 year old daughter
that lives with me - that's a full time job. That's 3 full time jobs with other
duties I haven't mentioned. That's the biggest challenge in promoting my
music.”
But still there is a particle of light which shines brighter each day from
within the essence of Anthony Antoine that drives him further towards his
goals. His life is driven through a connection to a higher source of Power
and Light and as a result he interjects this vibrant connection into his
music.
“I'm extremely spiritual and my creative process is spiritual. That's how my
spirituality comes out in my music. I believe my journey is ordained and so
again, I live my life, pay attention, then tell my story. That's a spiritual
process to me. When I need church, I call my mom. She's a very religious,
spiritual person and she keeps me close to God. Mom ministers to me often.”
true value of our worth, the talent that we possess inside and the
spirituality that guides us to it. This has been the case many times for
Anthony as he continues to navigate his way through the choppy musical
seas as both an independent and openly gay artist.
But amazingly Anthony views his biggest challenges in life as having not
been the external forces of racism, homophobia or industry competition, but
instead it has come from himself.
“I am my biggest challenge and simply living life itself. I work a full time job
and to promote your music is a full time job. I have a 16 year old daughter
that lives with me - that's a full time job. That's 3 full time jobs with other
duties I haven't mentioned. That's the biggest challenge in promoting my
music.”
But still there is a particle of light which shines brighter each day from
within the essence of Anthony Antoine that drives him further towards his
goals. His life is driven through a connection to a higher source of Power
and Light and as a result he interjects this vibrant connection into his
music.
“I'm extremely spiritual and my creative process is spiritual. That's how my
spirituality comes out in my music. I believe my journey is ordained and so
again, I live my life, pay attention, then tell my story. That's a spiritual
process to me. When I need church, I call my mom. She's a very religious,
spiritual person and she keeps me close to God. Mom ministers to me often.”
| The Challenges within Anthony Antoine’s Life |
The activist and Atlanta resident is busy again cranking out yet another
music project this time a full length CD that’s even more in-your-face and
filled with topical messages which address current conditions of the day in
both America and the world.
“My next CD is titled ‘Activist Freak: the Sex and Social Justice Mixtape.’
I'm so proud of what's next for me musically. This is a mostly hip-hop CD
with some poetry and a few ballads but mostly hip-hop. The first single is
probably going to be ‘You Ain't Hard’ about what I see in youth being so
influenced by hip-hop and how everyone wants to be hard, even gay kids.
It's a song about the pervasive pseudo-masculinity I see in gay clubs
today. There's also a true story titled ‘The Hand Won't Do (The Untold
Story of the Iraq War)’ about a gay couple, one in the military in Iraq
calling home to his lover. His lover is ‘over’ the war for more reasons than
ever discussed on CNN. Also in the works for me is my first novel.
‘America 's Reality Check’ will be published this year either independently
or through a major publishing company.”
music project this time a full length CD that’s even more in-your-face and
filled with topical messages which address current conditions of the day in
both America and the world.
“My next CD is titled ‘Activist Freak: the Sex and Social Justice Mixtape.’
I'm so proud of what's next for me musically. This is a mostly hip-hop CD
with some poetry and a few ballads but mostly hip-hop. The first single is
probably going to be ‘You Ain't Hard’ about what I see in youth being so
influenced by hip-hop and how everyone wants to be hard, even gay kids.
It's a song about the pervasive pseudo-masculinity I see in gay clubs
today. There's also a true story titled ‘The Hand Won't Do (The Untold
Story of the Iraq War)’ about a gay couple, one in the military in Iraq
calling home to his lover. His lover is ‘over’ the war for more reasons than
ever discussed on CNN. Also in the works for me is my first novel.
‘America 's Reality Check’ will be published this year either independently
or through a major publishing company.”
| The Future of Anthony Antoine |
| Anthony with Jennifer Hudson |
| Anthony with Eva Pigford |
| Anthony with Rockmond Dunbar |
| Anthony with Shelia E. |
| Anthony with Trina |
| Anthony with John Amaechi |
| Anthony with Kevin Aviance |
| Anthony with cast of Noah's Arc |
| Anthony with Melyssa Ford |
| Anthony with Maurice Jamal |
| Anthony's dog Tomboy |
