Nothing worth having comes without struggle and sacrifice, and the most noble of struggles are those we endure for the good of the ones we love. It's not always about the struggle, but who you struggle for - whose life is better because of the sacrifices you make. When the going gets rough, sometimes we gotta pray just to see the bigger picture. So here's a song that keeps me going from three soul brothers who brought the message home: Anthony Hamilton, Musiq Soulchild, and Jaheim. It was originally featured on the soundtrack to Daddy's Little Girls and I'm hopin' it'll bring you some inspiration to help you start your week.

Artist: Anthony Hamilton
Album: The Point of It All
Release Date: 12.16.08

Soul singer Anthony Hamilton is back in the game with his latest major label release, The Point of it All. Hamilton initially won fans over with his down-home style, his country swagger and his genuine approach as a musician deeply enveloped in his craft. But this album was not so much an instant winner. It really had to grow on me, but after some time, I’d say it’s a decent release, not his best work by any means.

The production on this album is great and refreshing at times. In contrast to most other mainstream R&B artists, Hamilton’s music has less of an electronic feel and more of the singer-with-a-band feeling that characterized most of the R&B legends that precede him. Cool was released as the lead single and features fellow country-boy David Banner for a double-dose of laidback swagger and a mellow feel. Other recommended tracks on the album include Diamond In The Rough for its deep-reaching electric guitar rifts, Soul’s on Fire for its stirring vocals and Hard to Breathe for its honest emotion. Her Heart is a sensitive ballad and definite favorite on this album with the inspirational anthem Fine Again as a close choice for second.

There are a few tracks that deviate from Hamilton’s signature style in an effort to break new ground; some work well, while others fail to ignite. Take the album’s opening song for example, The News: there’s just a little too much going on with this song, which takes a downward turn beginning with Hamilton’s midway spiel through the closing vamp. By contrast, Prayin for You has a southern backwoods funk feel to it and sounds pretty good. I Did It For Sho has less lyrical depth than the majority of the project and sounds rather uninspired as does Fallin In Love.

Throughout this project, Hamilton maintains his bluesy disposition and his vocals deliver flawlessly throughout so it’s hard to grasp why this album sounds so average. Even the notable tracks are mostly just decent and there’s nothing really spectacular. I’d give it a C+ rating, with hopes that the next album comes out stronger. I haven’t lost faith in him, not by a long shot, but I would like to hear some more classics with the next release.

Related Post:
Video: Anthony Hamilton - Cool

-Mack-

Mack: So Usher opened the show... he was okay to me, but he's losing his touch. He lip sync'ed the whole thing
Mello: yea, I agree..the married life has made him put on a few lbs and u can tell in his dance sequences. He can't keep up like he used to; but nonetheless, Mello is still a fan
Mack: yeah, his face got real tight at one point, like he was trying REALLY hard to keep up. I’m a fan too but i've always questioned his ability to sing live...
Mello: SS rates Ushers performances compared to others as BELOW SUB-PAR
Mack: speaking of sing live... what the hell was goin on with Keyshia Cole??
Mello: Heaven Sent was all the way ‘pitchy’. she gave too much, and it sounded as if she were straining
Mack: yeah she sounded nervous.... all that attitude she got and she couldn't sing the damn song, and that's one of my favorites by her
Mello: but, she made up for it on Let It Go...
Mack: she kinda made up for it, she was partying so much on Let It Go that she wasn't even singin the song or remembering the words
Mello: well, I enjoyed that segment. I was @ home rockin wit her
Mack: I did too and Lil Kim actually looked good
Mello: yea, outside of her busting out those pants
Mack: Keyshia's outfit change reminded me of something MJB would have rocked. And I guess she got tired of the haters cause she got that gap fixed
Mello: that's signature Keyshia tho… I enjoy her regardless
Mack: I love her too, but babygirl needs to work on her live performances... we've seen her mess up too many times
Mello: well, considering I've seen her perform live a few times, last night was the most she's ever worked a stage
Mack: So finally we had someone to really bring it to the stage: my main man Ne-yo
Mello: yea...Ne-Yo made Usher look BAD
Mack: and that Jabbawockeez cameo at the end was a definite highlight. He gets bonus points from me on that one
Mello: Live singing, choreagraphy
Mack: hell yeah... not just choreography... KICK-ASS Choreography
Mello: Ne-Yo is the definition of a true entertainer
Mack: he is... he writes, sings, performs...
Mello: too bad his looks don't match up to his artistry
Mack: well in his defense, Ashanti's artistry doesn't match her looks!
Mello: sidenote: MELLO is not SHALLOW
Mack: He sang through the whole thing... it was a well-planned out performance... and that song is a banger. Usher might need to deflate his ego a bit and break out the pen and pad. TAKE NOTES!
Mello: and hit the gym… can't 4get bout that
Mack: right. Now, my personal favorite of the night... Ms Keys!
Mello: yea, I agree… a step up from her tour
Mack: people been sleepin on Alicia's thickness for a while... I got so many texts last night like "When did she get so thick?" I’ve seen Alicia live 3 years ago, she BEEN thick like that
Mello: she's built like a thoroughbred stallion
Mack: She could have had a better outfit, but the performance was still hot!!
Mello: the surprise performances
Mack: 3 chart-topping 90's girl groups on one stage?!??!?
Mello: SS rates that CLASSIC!!!!
Mack: STAMPED OFFICIAL! SWV, put on a few pounds but they still some sistas wit voices
Mello: brought me back 2 my younger days
Mack: EnVogue.... all I can say is WOW!
Mello: the originals
Mack: TLC... I got teary when they were up there. Waterfalls was my jam
Mello: haven't seen them perform since left eye died
Mack: except that show... R U The Girl
Mello: yea, but... that doesn't count
Mack: trueIt was great to see them together. Chilli's got a new single out, gotta post that later
Mello: Jeezy’s performance= unattentive
Mack: yeah that one was lame
Mello: CB… LAWDA MERCY… lol
Mack: lol... it was good, but to be honest... he left us hangin
Mello: I have no words 4 that one
Mack: that was a good look bringin Ciara out. Those two have Michael and Janet potential, I wanted them to do more... Maybe they'll bless us and do a song together...
Mello: perhaps
Mack: now THAT would be hot! 2 of the best performers in the game right now, doin something monumental
Mello: I'm still waitin on the CB & Rihanna collabo. and u kno the cameras were cuttin in&out on those 2 all night
Mack: yeah, somethin official from them two...
Mello: speaking of which, I loved her performance
Mack: oh yeah she killed it… And she sounded good... people been hatin on her sayin she can't sing live... her vocals have improved greatly
Mello: I always thought she could sing live
Mack: I've been a Rihanna fan since she first came out but some of her live performances needed some work
Mello: she's matured over time as most artists should do
Mack: but having seen her on tour with Kanye, she's got it down now... she's got the vocals right! CB was singin every word right along with his girl. They're a nice lil red couple...LOL
Mello: we can't 4get bout Al Green
Mack: oh yeah... talk about unity in music. Young, old, rapper, singer... EVERYONE was singin Let's Stay Together
Mello: most oldies but goodies bring folks together
Mack: it was good to see him performing, he's a living legend... and it's good to see BET honoring the legends while they're alive... like Quincy. U know how many careers he's responsible for??
Mello: yeah, but Q must have been nervous, cuz he was stumbling over his words
Mack: yeah i think it was nervous energy… mind was probably racin. And Anthony Hamilton was smooth like butter during that tribute! That's a brutha that can sing right there
Mello: yea, and his pants were tighter than mine
Mack: LOL… he was goin for a 70's look Mel…lol
Mello: I don't care
Mack: oh whoa wait... we forgot... the RETURN OF MAXWELL. Where the hell did BET dig that dude up?
Mello: God Bless Him!
Mack: God bless that voice... now HE is what the game is missing
Mello: I'm anxiously awaiting his return
Mack: he's gotta do something major... my sister in law promised me a niece or nephew if Maxwell drops an album, so you know I'm tryin to get in contact with him and make sure he brings the pain
Mello: LOL
Mack: What did you think of T-Pain?
Mello: ????? - there u have it. He's too scattered 4 me to pay him attention
Mack: LOL… yeah, the intro made me think it was gonna be good, but when Flo-Rida lip sync'ed "Low" I diverted my attention elsewhere
Mello: flo-rida is wack
Mack: DJ Khaled... what the hell was he doing?? He was jumpin and runnin around like a kid in a candy store...
Mello: “we the bestttttttt”
Mack: but Ludacris is my dog!! He came out and set some order to that chaos. oh and Mel, as a lady I need you to send Rick Ross a memo: The world never EVER needs to see that mess again
Mello: LOL… he's small in his mind… “show that gut!”
Mack: well that's the only mind he's small in. The first part of Nelly's performance was hot... I hadn't heard that song Stepped on My J's with Jermaine Dupri but it's kinda hot.
And Ciara came out, she has a verse on that song… she's so damn fly
Mello: you fell in love? lol
Mack: yeah, but rumor has it that she's marrying 50 Cent
Mello: more power 2 her… I didn't catch their performance
Mack: Fergie screwed up her part on Party People… it sounded like she started her verse in the wrong spot, then she looked uncoordinated.
Mello: who else did I miss? I had 2 step out
Mack: did you catch Weezy at the end? with T-Pain... AGAIN
Mello: no sir
Mack: it was okay... nothin to holler about.
Mello: how'd he do?
Mack: the performance was okay... nothin spectacular... but the ending was rather classic all things considered
Mello: what happened?
Mack: He ended his verse of A Milli with the line "What's a goon to a goblin? Stop it stop it, you ain't scarin nuthin. Hip Hop is alive, don't worry I got it!" and he dropped to his knees. When he hit the floor he just looked out into the crowd like he's ready to carry the weight of the hip hop world on his shoulders. It really made him look like the savior of hip hop and with the streak he's been on... he just might be it was just classic to me... and i'm really just becoming a Weezy fan

We all know the urban music scene has a tendency to focus on matters that are more superficial – bling, broads, cars and clothes. However, some artists have used their star power and status to speak up and address issues facing our world by providing knowledge to the uninformed, and a voice to the unheard. At Sound-Savvy we realize there are lots of politically and socially conscious artists and songs, but I chose to highlight just a few, for various reasons. Check out our 5 picks that made the list for this week, then leave comments and add your own.

Artist: Lupe Fiasco
Song: Little Weapon
Album: The Cool

A hot song by one of the hottest and widely overlooked artists currently on the rap scene. Little Weapon discusses the influence of video games on the minds of young people. The song presents an important factor: the fact that hip-hop music is not as large of a contributor to youth violence and destruction. The message is clear: kids who have not developed the maturity level to differentiate real from fantasy should probably find better hobbies than the Grand Theft Auto series. I recommend listening to these other songs by Lupe: American Terrorist, Streets On Fire, and Dumb It Down.

Artist: Jadakiss ft. Anthony Hamilton
Song: Why
Album: Kiss of Death

Artist: Lyfe Jennings
Song: You Think You’ve Got It Bad
Album: Lyfe Change

From day one, Lyfe has set himself apart from the mainstream urban community by being conscious of many major issues. You Think You’ve Got It Bad which features Wyclef Jean, stretches beyond the borders of our communities as well as beyond our national borders and discusses global issues. Lyfe and Wyclef weigh in on the poverty epidemic, AIDS, homelessness and the failing economy. For more from Lyfe, I recommend: It’s Real, and S.E.X.

Artist: TLC
Song: Waterfalls
Album: CrazySexyCool

A lot of people didn’t realize just how big this record really was. Not only did it bring light to a few social issues, the song actually hit home with a lot of listeners. To take it a step further the accompanying video clip struck a deep chord throughout the hip-hop and urban music community. Gang violence, and HIV AIDS are the main themes of this powerful song.

Artist: Kanye West
Song: Diamonds from Sierra Leone
Album: Late Registration

Finally, Mr. Ego himself. Placing himself to the side for a moment, West drew the ears of the nation when he brought to light the plight of West African children who work in the diamond mines to extract conflict diamonds and die in civil wars financed by those precious jewels. With vocals from the Dame Shirley Bassey, he added a serious tone to the black and white video clip and even contributed to a documentary which highlighted the seriousness of this issue.

Mother's Day is coming up: Sunday May 11, and Sound-Savvy would like to take the time to shout out those special women who have done so much in our lives. Being a mother is about more than just pushing out a kid; we recognize the struggles, and appreciate the sacrifices. Fortunately, so do many music artists, so we dedicate this countdown to all the mothers, especially those moms rockin with Sound-Savvy!

Artist: Jay-Z

Song: December 4^th

What better way to honor your mom than to put her on a track? Jay and Mama Carter take a trip down memory lane on this opening track to the Black Album, Jay’s first exit to retirement. With mom narrating and Jay spittin’ the flow, could there be a better mother and son collaboration?

Artist: Jamie Foxx
Song: I Wish You Were Here

This song was written for the woman who raised Foxx, his grandmother. For many, grandmothers were mothers, and Jamie does a masterful job of paying homage to the special woman who raised and molded him. Grandmothers all over the world, we love ya’ll just as much.

Artist: Talib Kweli
Song: Momma Can You Hear Me

If you’ve never heard this, don’t fret – it’s unreleased. This joint was recorded during the Eardrum sessions but is set to be released on the forthcoming Prisoner of Conscious and was produced by Kanye West. Everybody knows how Kweli flows, just imagine him spittin a whole song to his mom. Very deep listening.

Artist: Raheem Devaughn
Song: Woman

Once again reppin the DMV, Raheem celebrates the beauty of women as a whole, from the things we love, to the things that drive us crazy – and yes, even the little things. Woman is featured on Raheem Devaughn’s sophomore studio release Love Behind The Melody.

Artist: GhostFace and Mary J. Blige
Song: All That I Got Is You

A heart wrenching shout to moms and grandmothers accompanied by a tear jerking video clip. From overcrowded living spaces, to borrowing food from your neighbors just to make it, this song delves into the struggles a mother will endure for her children.

Artist: Anthony Hamilton

Song: Mama Knew Love

This is the opening cut from his debut Comin From Where I’m From. This is a reminiscent cut with a simple message – no matter how hard life got, Mama always knew love for her children.

Artist: 2Pac
Song: Dear Mama

Without question, Tupac was a lyricist beyond his years and his peers in the rap game. ‘Pac wrote this song to symbolize his appreciation for the one woman who would always understand him -- in life and beyond the grave.

Artist: Mario
Song: Do Right

In 2007, Mario filmed a documentary, I Love You, But I won’t Love You to Death, which chronicled his struggles with his mother’s addiction to heroin. This song is featured on his latest project Go (2007) and explains his love for her in spite of her addiction and his admiration for her as she overcame it.

Artist: Kanye West
Song: Hey Mama

This cut is from The Louis Vuitton Don himself and it was a shout to the woman who single-handedly helped him reach his dreams. With the passing of his mother last year, one thing this joint teaches, is to honor your mother while she’s still here. Rest in Peace Dr. West.

Artist: Boyz II Men
Song: A Song For Mama

Timeless is this cut from those 4 Philly boys. This track was featured on their Evolution CD and the Soul Food soundtrack. Not since this classic was released has there been a better R&B dedication to mothers all over the world that simply says I love you.