Anthony Hamilton (born January 28, 1971, in Charlotte, North Carolina) is an R&B/soul/"neo-soul" singer and songwriter who rose to fame with his 2003 second album Comin' from Where I'm From, which featured the singles "Comin' from Where I'm From," "Charlene," and "I'm a Mess." Hamilton first discovered his talent while singing in his church choir at age 10. In 1993 he left Charlotte for New York City, where he signed with Andre Harrell's Uptown Records. At Uptown, he recorded XTC, which failed to receive radio play.