KeAnthony

You'd never guess from the butter-smooth, adult contemporary R&B present on KeAnthony's A Hustlaz Story that the soulful singer spent eight years behind bars for an aggravated robbery he committed at a young age. His music belies the fact that he lived a bit of a thug life. But more importantly, he's emerged from "The Big House" a better, stronger man, primed to tell his story through the vehicle of song. KeAnthony's got a soulful set of pipes, and he exercises taut control over them, singing in a creamy, soft timber that isn't the least bit as intimidating as his murky past might suggest. It's clear KeAnthony has done his time, repented for his sins and is ready to move up and on.

A Hustlaz Story is both a treat for your ears and a cautionary tale where KeAnthony is more than comfortable spilling the contents of his heart for all to hear and listen to. He shoots straight from the hip, exploring all emotions and experiences for the greater good of the album's narrative content. "Forever My Homie" is an open diary-style ode to the friend who turned KeAnthony in for the crime they committed together in their youth, thus altering the course of his life. Meanwhile, the romantic jam "My Song" is a celebratory paean to a woman who roped his heart that will find plenty of room in the crates of mobile DJs that spend their nights cranking tunes for slow dancing couples at the club or the prom. The title track also thrills a bit with its wah-wahs and a sprinkle of layered vocals.

The music that surrounds KeAnthony's dreamy vocals consists of gentle, studio-created, utterly chill beats. The juxtaposition of the organic nature of the singer's voice with the computerized music works in the album's favor. It meshes lazy day numbers with slightly more upbeat fare, ensuring that the listener never nods off or gets bored despite the lulling, relaxing style of the music.

— Amy Sciarretto
08.22.08

Nashville native KeAnthony Dillard spent eight years imprisoned for being found guilty of aggravated robbery. Now he is signed to Reprise, a major-label R&B singer aligned with collaborators like the undervalued Tank, the Underdogs, and Mike City. Nothing could possibly detail his turnaround more than "Forever My Homie," a somber narrative about a deep relationship that went sour when his childhood friend turned him in to the police. It's powerful and personalized enough to remain his calling card for years to come, but it's only one of many bright spots on this debut. Depending on the track, KeAnthony's voice can sometimes recall Dave Hollister and Aaron Hall, singers with virile and slightly gritty voices who have been able to display vulnerabilities when the material has called for it. At the same time, he fits squarely within the territory of newer contemporaries like Raheem DeVaughn and Donell Jones, two younger singers who can deliver modern soul that is neither heavy in references to the past nor obvious and gimmicky in an obvious play for the pop chart. Each line on the album sounds honest, from the heart, whether he's striving to satisfy his woman emotionally, admitting his faults, or looking to the past with the eyes of a realist. While the opener, "Down Girl," is a fairly energetic and effective opener, KeAnthony's exceptional skills become increasingly apparent as the tempos wind down. If there is any case to be made for the slow jam being alive and well again, it's in "Call Me," a burning ballad that falls somewhere between the Isley Brothers' "Between the Sheets" and Tony! Toni! Toné!'s "Whatever You Want." It may not be an outright classic like those two songs, and it is more about feel than hooks, but it's pretty remarkable. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide