Live Session: Grammy nominee Antonique Smith talks music and activism

Grammy nominee Antonique Smith, talks to The Hype Magazine about her first experience as a nominee, how she found out about her “Best Traditional R&B Performance” nomination at the 58^th Grammy Awards. Along with breaking down her latest project Love is Everything and the key single All We Really Have Is Now.

All We Really Have Is Now” was written by Emeli Sande‘ and Toby Gad. “This timely song reminds you of what’s important. We’re all guilty of focusing so much on what we want, what we don’t yet have or what happened in our past, that we don’t appreciate the moment we have now,” mentions Antonique. “That moment is all we have …as tomorrow is not promised,” she adds.

Love is Everything takes fans on a soulful, emotional rollercoaster through a range of love experiences. Whether being liberated from a relationship or seeking to deepen your connection with your partner, Antonique coaches her listeners, using lyrical lessons to navigate through their everyday love lives.

“LOVE IS EVERYTHING” Track listing:

“Got What I Need”
“Take A Chance”
“Hold Up Wait A Minute (Woo Woo)”
“Higher (Let Your Guard Down)”
“All We Really Have is Now”
“Here Comes The Sun”

Antonique says of the EP, “I truly believe that if we all loved ourselves and one another more that most of the problems in our world wouldn’t exist. This EP is the jewels of wisdom that I’ve collected over the years in my personal life experiences.”

Emotionally charged and based on her very personal experiences, this project is bound to connect with a global audience as it addresses subjects which are daily issues endured by human beings everywhere.

Our songstress is also among the growing list of public figures who are stepping to the forefront on environmental safety AND of course the epidemic of violence directed at American citizens by governmental agencies.

Smith has participated in multiple tours that bring awareness to the neglect of poor areas across the country, key among them the “Toxic Tour” produced by the Hollywood United organization. The tour took them to places where according to Smith, “…you got to see places where peoples’ houses were like 200 feet from a site where people where people work with hazmat suits…from oil and gas companies” however, the general populace is not afforded those protections despite their proximity to the hazardous sites. Smith questions “Where’s MY hazmat suit if my backyard is right next to that? Ya’ll not giving me a hazmat suit, why don’t I have a hazmat suit when my house is right next door…”

In our conversation, Smith goes on to detail her experiences as she and others travel the country getting involved with issues that effect the every day person, who is often disregarded in the view of our government and big business. Listen to her explanation of “The Sacrifice Zone” and how it applies to minority neighborhoods…it’s insane but without a doubt based on real policies within our country.

About Antonique Smith:

Antonique Smith is a singer, songwriter, actress, and social justice activist, primarily known for her starring role in the blockbuster film, Notorious, as well as her leading role in the Broadway musical, RENT. In 2015, she was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Traditional R&B Performance category. Antonique is currently being seen in the TV One original film, “Stock Options.” Later this summer, Antonique will co-star in the upcoming Queen Latifah executive produced film, “Deuces” and will have a recurring role in the newly announced FOX drama-series, “Shots Fired”, Executive Produced by Gina Prince-Bythewood and Empire’s executive producer, Brian Grazer.

For more information, please visit www.antonique.com and follow her via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Tags: #BlackLivesMatter, #LiveSessions, Grammy Award, Queen Latifah, The Hype Magazine

About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.