Sound-Savvy recently caught up with Atlanta-based soul singer Anthony David backstage during a stop on the BET Music Matters tour and we got a chance to talk with him about quite a few things, including his new album “As Above So Below”, his politically-charged and provocative new song ‘God Said’, his thoughts on being considered an R&B underdog and his views on the restructuring of The Grammys nomination categories.
As a fan of Anthony David and his live performances I, like many other fans, became accustomed to his more acoustic style of music, a sound that’s not as prevalent on As Above So Below. “You probably will never hear another acoustic album from me again. When I did an acoustic album, I had just started playing guitar…“ But what you will hear is some more social and political content, as found on tracks like ‘Reach Ya’ and the controversial new single ‘God Said’ where David takes aim at religious extremists and bigots who use religion as a basis for their radical words and actions. “The inspiration is right there in the song: Pat Robinson, when the earthquake hit Haiti, decided to say that he knew that they made a deal with the devil. There’s no way he could know that.. That’s really his own bias…” He went on to discuss the clips used in the video, specifically one that highlights Wiley Drake, the minister who prayed for the death of President Obama.
“I don’t think it’s a safe thing when people hide behind religion to inspire their own bigotry.”
On the subject of his status in R&B, Anthony David doesn’t mind the perception some folks may have of him as the underdog in R&B. “I like the ‘underdog’ thing, cause that means you’re rootin’ for me. But I hope they root for me if I’m not an underdog because it’s really not about my position it’s about what they’re getting out of the music.” Briefly he spoke about his friendship with longtime collaborator India.Arie, who just finished a new project titled ‘Open Door’ with Israeli singer/songwriter Idan Raichel.
And finally, we spoke about the recent restructuring of The Grammys. The Recording Academy recently made a move to slim down the number of categories in the annual awards process, taking the number from 109 to a whopping 78, and eliminating the category for which David’s previous single ‘Words’ was nominated (Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, 2009):
“Well it kinda sucks, because that means there’s less of a chance for me to be nominated. But I can still be nominated for the ones (categories) that are there and honestly, I remember when they weren’t there. I thought it was a good idea that they added them, I think it does give a little more room for an R&B artist to think along the lines of being artistic instead of obviously and blatantly commercial. But that can still happen because (Stevie Wonder’s) Songs In The Key of Life was there when those weren’t there. We’re in a different era; somebody can transcend that, maybe I can, maybe I can’t… “
Check out the full interview in the video below, and then watch the clip of Anthony performing his Grammy nominated single ‘Words‘ as well as his blazin’ new single ‘4EverMore‘ which features India.Arie.
Props to Sound-Savvy’s official photographer/videographer DJ Lil Tone
I love his voice…
him and Raheem should do something together…