All Eyes On...
C
linton Babers! If you don’t already
know this name and the unparralled
talent associated with it, you will know
it soon...the world will know! Much like
other chart-topping artists before him including Neyo
and Keri Hilson, who wrote for other artists behind
the scenes and later found themselves thrust into the
limelight and on music charts, Clinton is destined for
the same success...but possibly on a much grander
scale! After working and performing with artists
like Leon Timbo, Tyrese Gibson, Joe, Sebastian
Kole, Joe Brooks, and many more, the gifted artist
decided to release his own body of work. Clinton’s
sound encompasses many genres of music. Born
in small town Snowdoun, Alabama, the Berklee
College of Music graduate has been compared to
music veterans Brian McKnight and John Mayer
and he has completed tours in the United Kingdom,
Europe, the United States and Asia with the renowned
Joe Brooks Trio sharing his singing and keyboard
abilities with thousands of adoring fans; he is also
part of the BET Music Matters Campaign.
As Clinton himself puts it, “I didn’t decide... It [music]
chose me... This is what God purposed me to do.”
Raised in a family of talented musicians, Clinton
began singing soul and gospel songs, and playing the
piano at the tender age of three. It would prove to be
the start of a grand musical journey that culminated
in him mastering 18 different instruments! He has
also used his musical gifts to help teach high school
students and others the art of music.
On February 14, 2014 (Valentine’s Day) Clinton
Babers II released his incomparable “Pieces of
Me”—an album including 12 beautiful, heartfelt songs
displaying Clinton’s masterful way of navigating
experiences like love, heartache, joy, and triumph
with vivid lyrics and his melodious sound. With this
album, Clinton shares the many pieces of himself
as he sings in the intro piece... “I’m writing this story
straight from my heart/ and all I have with me are
these keys and my guitar/ I just want a chance to
show you all my scars... I want you to listen, as I get
naked/ so I can be transparent and give you all these
pieces of me/ I just want to share with you all these
pieces of me...
And I can assure you, that you will enjoy every ‘piece’
of this exceptionally gifted artist. Recently, I was able
to catch up with Clinton to chat for this issue of AMN
MAG about the new album, his inspiration and much
more...
-------------------------------------------------Lisa: Clinton, I have to honestly say that it has been
a very long time since I have been excited about a
new artist! But, after hearing “Reason for Breathing”
for the first time, I knew that you were something
special. I am extremely pleased to be speaking with
you today for this issue of AMN MAG!
Clinton: Thank you so much. I appreciate you for
having me.
Lisa: It is truly my pleasure. One of the albums that
I had anticipated most this year was Toni Braxton
and Babyface’s “Love, Marriage, and Divorce”,
so when it was released I purchased it and played
it almost, exclusively. And then I heard that you
would be releasing your ‘Pieces of Me’ album on
Valentine’s Day, and I knew that I had to have it! I
purchased it on iTunes, downloaded it, and let it
play...I repeated the ‘let it play’ step for at least four
more times, consecutively! (Laughs). And so, I gave
myself permission to “stan” for a bit by going to my
social media networks to rave to my followers about
this incredible body of work and why this album is a
must-have!
Clinton: Yes, I saw your tweets about the album;
thank you so much for that! It really means a lot to
me to read your reaction and to hear feedback from
others who have listened to it. I’m glad that people
are embracing the album. Music has always been
a part of me from as far back as I can remember.
I taught high school for a while; I was a full time music
director for five years, and I seemed to always be like
the full time minister of music at somebody’s church.
I’ve done other things, but it seems everything has
always tied back into music.
Lisa: You have been compared to people like Brian
McKnight and John Mayer. Tell me, how does it feel
to know that there are people out there who see you
in the same light as someone like Brian, who’s been
in the industry for more than 20 years, and who too,
is an exceptional artist?
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amn magazine