Charlotte, N.C./Jan. 13, 2023 – Grammy award-winning artist Anthony Hamilton paid a visit to Johnson C. Smith University’s Bull Pen on Thursday to serenade a crowd of students and introduce his newest artist, JxHINES, a 2015 graduate of JCSU’s Business Marketing program.
The artists visited campus as a part of 102.5 The Block’s Seal the Dream, a celebration coinciding with Martin Luther King Day weekend.
“We want to thank Anthony Hamilton; 102.5 The Block; Anthony Brown, director of Student Leadership and Engagement at JCSU; and the entire JCSU crew who made this possible for our students,” said Dr. Davida L. Haywood ’98, vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. “The magic is just getting started in 2023.”
“Seeing our students, faculty and staff come together for this event was like taking an advance look at the future, because this is what we will be doing all year long,” added Brown, a 2007 JCSU graduate. “Partnering with the community and enhancing the JCSU Family experience.”
Hamilton, a Charlotte native, travels the world as a musician, singer and songwriter, and said he was happy to be back home to visit Charlotte’s only HBCU.
Always eager to share his insight and encouragement with young artists, Hamilton happened upon JxHINES and knew he found a great young talent to mentor.
“I had my ear to the streets and was aware of what was new and hot,” said Hamilton. “I watched him for a minute and thought, ‘this guy has something special.’”
Hamilton began mentoring JxHINES, who was putting in work as an independent, solo artist.
The Florida-born artist says music had always been a part of his life, but he didn’t start recording his own until he was at JCSU.
“I used to record my music in Carter Hall,” he said. “Then I decided to take it to a professional level. Last year, I got signed by one of the biggest legends in the R&B world, Anthony Hamilton.”
JxHINES describes his music as alternative pop R&B, akin to the music of artists like Usher, Ne-Yo and The Weekend. He credits JCSU for connecting him to the right people in the industry who could take him to the next level.
“JCSU prepared me for life,” he said. “I moved here from South Florida and didn’t really have much family or many relationships. This school is in the prime location for me to get where I’m going.”
JxHINES said his fans can expect more great music that will be a “fresh breath of air,” in the coming year. To follow his career, find him on all social media platforms @JxHINES.
