![[EXCLUSIVE] Heartthrob Anthony Lewis Talks New Single and Upcoming Album, Ideal Girlfriend, Superbowl Dreams, More](https://singersroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/anthonylewissingersroominterview2.jpg)
Eighteen-year-old L.A. based newcomer Anthony Lewis had the attention of teen girls everywhere with his buzz singles "Candy Rain" and "Looks Like Me," his mixtape #TBH, and his official single, “It’s Not My Fault,” featuring T.I.
With his debut album, Five Senses, due out later this year, the young singer/dancer has been making his rounds to heighten his buzz. He chatted with Singersroom about the past year's wild ride, what he’s learned as a new artist, his favorite song on his new album, working with Da Internz, his ideal girlfriend, and even dished on his relationship status.
Get to know Anthony Lewis!
When did you know you wanted to be an entertainer and what steps did you take to become one?
My Grandma told me to go up to the altar and sing a song, and I really wasn’t comfortable with singing. After I sung, I got more comfortable, so I performed at my middle school when I was in 8th grade. That’s when I knew this is something I have to do for the rest of my life. To see the people’s reaction after I performed was crazy so, this is what I wanted to do.
Your single “It’s Not My Fault” is rising on the charts. How did the record come together?
You know that song (sings) “Why you gotta be so rude?” The lead singer from that group [Magic!] wrote the single. So a guy named Dave Hofner, he presented me the record, and I just fell in love with it. They said a rapper should go on it, and I already knew; I said T.I. and everything was just happened so fast. And it's such a blessing, because the week I heard the song, it was BET Experience, and I met him (T.I.) at BET Experience. So, I know God was telling me something, so it’s just a blessing how he got on there.
Watch the video for "It's Not My Fault" HERE.
What's it like being in a promo whirlwind as a new artist?
It’s really going good, I’m learning what this business is about; it’s about relationships. Really trying to build that relationship to where they like you. Every radio station I’ve been to have been dope. They get the chance to listen to what you really have; it’s been a great experience. It’s definitely something I’m gonna remember for the rest of my life.
You’ve already worked with renowned producers Da Internz, The Underdogs, and Jodeci’s DeVante Swing. How was it working with such legendary music heavyweights?
It's amazing, just people that's known for making so many hits. I didn’t work with DeVante Swing personally, he sent the "Candy Rain" record to Vernon in March and that's how everything happened, but for him to even do what he did is just amazing. They've been in this game for so long, and they make so many hits. They’re just teaching me, and it's a blessing.
Do you have any studio stories?
I actually have one. I was in Da Internz studio, and this is my first time meeting them, Tuo and Kosine. When I first walked in, Kosine was like "Yo, u ready to be a superstar?" I was like "Yeah," and he was like "listen to this!" And he played me like nine records, which were crazy, and all those records ended up being on my album. So when I recorded all nine of those songs, they were just like, "Yo, tell me this ain't hot! What you talkin' bout?!" And then I'm in the booth like, "Yo, this is crazy!" But that's one of my best experiences because for them to even be like "yo, you killed this" from somebody that's a legend, been doing this for a long time, it’s a blessing, cause I know they just wouldn't give that up for no reason.
Tell us about your album, Five Senses.
We have a lot of writers, the main writers are Da Internz, Eric Bellinger, Verse Simmonds, Lashawn Daniels vocal produced all my vocals on there; it's like the music on there is so dope to me. One of my favorite songs is written my Go D, it's called "Out Of My League." It's really just talking about a girl that's out of your league that you've always wanted, and I feel like I can relate to that. I remember I was in high school, there was this girl who was so bad, just so sexy, but I just couldn’t get her. It was crazy, I tried so much, but she kept turning me down. Five Senses is just about everything about a girl, her hair, the way she makes you feel, her body, just everything.
What qualities do you like in a potential girlfriend?
In a potential girlfriend, what I love about a girl is when you can relate. She's funny, a goofball, always on me, like holding on me, on some lovey dovey stuff. I like a girl with a great personality, a girl with a little bit of an attitude, not too much, because, yeah, I can’t mess with a girl with too much attitude, that’s just cray cray, but I think a little attitude is sexy. I like all types of girls, black yellow, blue. I don’t; matter to me. I just like a girl who makes me feel comfortable with myself, comfortable to be around.
What do you like to do when you're not recording/setting up your career?
I play basketball, I like to draw, I like to spend time with my family, I’m a family man. I grew up with nothing but women in my life and a brother, so that’s really what my life is, my family. So, if it's not about the music, it's my family, we'll probably go to the beach or something, go chill, or go play ball 'cause they all played ball in high school, so that's what I do.
Who are you listening to right now?
I'm listening to one of my idols, Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, Usher of course. I've been listening to YG hard. Kendrick Lamar's "King Kunta" and I also listen to my own label mates, which is AVLKR, Billy Bang, who are all signed to The Chemists. I listen to everybody.
Where do you see yourself in three years or so?
I feel like the Superbowl is a stamp in your artistry. The only ones that’s done it that really sings and dances, of that caliber is really Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, and Usher, and I feel like that next person can be me. So I feel like that's what's gonna happen, so I’m just gonna keep working hard; I'm gonna fulfill that dream.
