Anthony David’s cover of Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day” is the official first single from his tribute to Withers titled Hello Like Before. David has cited Withers’ influence on his music in the past as being one of the most important to his artistry: 

“In many ways, Bill Withers is the artist most influential to my music career,” confides Anthony David. “Lovely Day” is a favorite of the songs recorded for Hello Like Before because it’s that classic feel-good song that starts off your day. Although it was written over 40 years ago, it’s still makes you feel good every time you hear it.”

“Lovely Day” is one of 10 songs from Withers recorded by David for Hello Like Before. David’s version has a similar warmth and acoustic guitar. David is kicking off his U.S. tour a week before the September 21st release of Hello Like Before. 

Anthony David has long been inspired by Bill Withers and even compared to him through the years. Withers wrote “I Can’t Write Left-Handed” in 1972 about the Vietnam War. The song resonates with David because of his experience serving in the military during Desert Storm. According to David, 

“When I first heard this song, it stopped me in my tracks.  I had gone to Desert Storm and the way he described the mentality of young men who go off, I don’t think anyone has ever really described in a song before that was exactly it.  The idea that the people that are driven that way, oftentimes are just young guys looking for something to do, and don’t have much of a take on the bigger picture. For me it was a way to do something my Dad did, and maybe travel. For my Dad,  I believe it was a way to get out of small-town Florida and see the world, maybe make some money to have a family. It’s not really a political thing.  We learn that stuff later. Maybe.  I met my best friends in life during that time, and we’re still family to this day.”

David’s cover of “I Can’t Write Left-Handed” is from his forthcoming album of songs by Withers. It is the first single and it will be released on July 4th which is Withers’ birthday and Independence Day. The new album, Hello Like Before will come out in September. 

Shanachie Records is getting ready to release the first Afrobeats compilation in the United States. The new style of Afro pop is a mashup of Jamaican dancehall, Soca, hip-hop and African rhythms. Drake’s “One Dance” is an example of the style and the song features Wizkid who is one of the genre’s stars. Afrobeats Hot Hits: The New Sound Of Urban Africa will feature music from Wande Coal, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Timaya, Yemi Alade, Tekno, Wizkid and more. The majority of the artists hail from Nigeria and Ghana but they are American and Caribbean artists represented as well.

Afrobeats Hot Hits is a balanced introduction the style that is spreading around the world. Tiwa Savage, who has sung background vocals for Mary J. Blige contributed “IIeke.” Anthony David, who expressed his love for the genre to this site,  recorded the remix of “I Don’t Mind” with American based Nigerian artist Mic and it is included on Afrobeats Hot Hits.

Afrobeats Hot Hits Tracklisting

[youtube id=”moYD6Vz2rzU”] Anthony David has a video for the Afrobeat remix of “I Don’t Mind” featuring Nigerian-American rapper Mic O. The clip features David and Mic O in a club with beautiful women as the perform the song. The scenario blends a fashion show, club night and dance rehearsal into a singular night. The event is called TRIBE and took place in Atlanta and was held by David’s friend designer and curator Jevwe. David explains:

“He’s Nigerian born and recently moved here. There are a ton of African-born folks (from all over the continent) here who before, kinda had to just blend into African American culture but just like Caribbean folks some years back, they’re really proud of their cultures and showing us what they got here and abroad. I love to see it. His event expresses that and I was glad to be a part of it so the video is kind of a representation of that.”

David released The Powerful Now late last year.