Hamilton Park
Preparation + Opportunity = Success
By Trista Kinman
With their perfect blending, magical music and extreme sex appeal, Hamilton Park has come into the music scene full force and taken the world by storm. Not knowing where their talent would take them, the members of the group; Mr. Marcus, Chris Voice, Royce P and Anthony are living the dream that most only dream of. They are living proof that hard work, determination, ambition and prayer can move the biggest of mountains and allow you to pursue the dreams and calling that you are meant to carry out in your life.
When did you guys officially start your group?
HP: (Chris Voice) We started singing about 5 years ago. Hamilton Park is on the east side of Atlanta, that’s where we used to hang out and play ball at all the time. I met Mr. Marcus and Anthony in church, and they introduced me to Royce P, and we took what we had put it in the hands of Anthony’s Uncle which is Frame with L7 management, shout out to them, (And Yancey, that’s the dynamic duo right there). We met up with Atlantic Records and Harrell Records of course.
OneTen: So, Marcus Lee and Anthony and you guys have known each other from the beginning. How did you guys Chris and Royce?
HP: Me and Anthony were in Paradise Church singing in choir together, and Chris used to always come up and sing with us in youth choir also. Royce used to come hang out with us and play ball, so we started playing ball together around high school age, and you know what? We just made an amazing group.
OneTen: Now, are there times when four is a crowd and you probably get under each other’s skin? How do you overcome that as far as regaining focus as a group?
HP: (Royce P) We listen to music I guess. Chris and Marcus usually put their headphones on to get in their zone. I mean, I don’t know… Get proper rest.
(Mr. Marcus) We are a prayed up group. We have a higher understanding of what’s going on. We can deal with a lot more of each other than if we weren’t prayed up.
(Anthony) Just to go back to what Mr. Marcus was saying, we grew up in the church so, we have a lot of principles that we grew up on. We’re a group, of course we’ll have our fights and what not, but you know what? At the end of the day, we’re a unit. No one is EVER gonna interrupt this unit.
OneTen: Now, you guys actually got your name from Hamilton Park which is where you guys played ball and bonded and really got to know each other. Do you guys still visit there often to pay tribute to your foundation?
HP: (Chris) We go there. We’re so busy now being out on the road these days, but we go there every now and then if there’s something we want to talk about, we’ll meet up there. It’s probably been a couple months or so though since we’ve been on the road and stuff.
OneTen: Now, the single you guys are promoting right now is ‘Computer Love’, which is a very good video. How did you guys go about choosing that particular song as far as your single and coordinating that for your first major single?
HP: (Anthony) We have a very, very strong online fan base. And so basically, ‘Computer Love’ was thought about just to give recognition to the Hamilton Park sweethearts and all of the other people out there who really support Hamilton Park.
(Mr. Marcus) Just to pick up on what he said, it’s also very relevant. Now you have your Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube being the big things, so it only made sense.
OneTen: How does it feel to be compared to such musicians as ‘New Edition’ and ‘Jodeci’ who have already been so successful?
HP: (Royce P) It feels like an honor because like you said, they were successful groups. So to be tied to a group who, per say, was successful, that means that we have already been marked for a certain amount of success. So, only WE can short stop that and I think I can speak for all of my brothers when I say when we see that goal, we see that drive ignite just a little bit more fire from within us. Like we like to say, Fire only lives in oxygen. So we’re trying to breathe and let y’all feel this fire from us.
OneTen: Well, that is awesome! So, you guys actually participate in the Anti-Bullying Campaign that’s going around?
HP: Yes.
OneTen: What are you guys doing with that as far as, are you going to different high schools or?
HP: (Royce P) We’ve been going to different high schools in the south east, state to state, city to city, campaigning and letting people know to just stop the bullying! And, how we like to do it is kinda like our version of it is we’ll say “Stop” and the crowd will say “The Bullying”. We just want them to know to stop the bullying. For real, it’s not cool!
OneTen: Ok, so… What sets you guys apart or makes you different from other musical groups?
HP: (Mr. Marcus) Hamilton Park has conquered the gift of blend. You have millions of groups who have awesome singers where there may be 2 or 3 people out of the group that can blend. With us, you have 4 out of 4 who have mastered blending. You have 4 out of 4 that can sing without anyone singing with them. All of our brothers, we can single solo pieces and not have an issue. But when you bring them together, and you blend it, it works every time. I think another thing is too, that a lot of groups, I’m not going to mention any names, but they’re not really giving you that organic, soul full, feel good music. It’s like being in your grandmother’s kitchen with your friend chicken, your cornbread, your collard greens, and you’re sweet tea... (Group sings a few words)
OneTen: Look at you trying to serenade me! (lol)
HP: I’m not trying to serenade you baby, this is what we do! (Sings: We’re doing it for the sheets – in perfect harmony) (lol) (Royce) I think what also separates us is that, we’re not trying to just give ‘ear-gasms’ for you. We’re really giving ourselves to y’all. We’re really trying to reach out and touch!
OneTen: I was reading in your bio that you guys are trying to bring real R&B back to the sheets. So what I wanna know is, how you guys think that you’re going to do that?
HP:(Mr. Marcus) Ok, you ready? You go to church?
(OneTen: I do)
When the choir is up there and they’re done singing, do you feel the same way?
(OneTen: Of course not)
Alright, that’s conviction, am I correct?
(OneTen: Right)
R&B right now is “Mission Conviction”. That’s what we’re bringing to the bedroom, conviction. When Jodeci sings, it was conviction. When Jagged Edge sang, it was conviction. Most artists from that time on up, they just lost it. We’re trying to bring back that conviction to R&B. When we sing about passion it’s for purpose.
OneTen: What are some long term goals that you guys have set for yourself and want to achieve?
HP: We would love to make sure that we touch every location in this world. Not one place we don’t go, we wanna go everywhere. We want to make sure that everyone gets to feel R&B. We want to win Grammy’s, we want to win BET awards, MTV awards, we want to teach people how to love again.
OneTen: What encouraging words can you lovely men offer anybody who is looking to fulfill their dreams as an entertainer?
HP: (Chris Voice) Know your craft, and make sure no one is behind your back doing something they aren’t supposed to be doing and make sure that you are doing YOUR job that your voice and your music are on point. Don’t give up, keep dreaming!
(Mr. Marcus) Stay prayed up and have someone above you that’s pouring into you that’s got your best interest. If not, then you’re just outta luck!
(Royce P) Stay humble, always be genuine, know your craft, and just stay prayed up.
(Anthony) You gotta stay prayed up, contact L7 management, get you a good entertainment lawyer like the one we have, and be productive. And be prepared because when preparation meets opportunity that’s when success happens.
OneTen: Are there any special shout outs or any messages to the ladies that you might want to give?
HP: (Chris Voice) Shout out to L7 again, Frame and Yancey the dynamic duo, shout out to ALL the fans, and please, please, please go to HamiltonParkMusic.com and check out the dates for the Scream Tour. (Entire Group) Just shout out to L7 Management and Harrell Records!
For More information on Hamilton Park, you can visit www.HamiltonParkMusic.com. Also, follow them on Twitter and Facebook!
Twitter: @Hamilton_Park @MrMarcuslee_HP @Royce_HP @ChrisVoice_HP @Anthony_HP
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hamiltonpark
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