Golden Child
Royalty
Ashley West-Nesbitt

At an age when most kids were flipping burgers, Roy “Royalty” Hamilton III was getting signed to R. Kelly’s Rockland label and getting his name out as a solid hit-making producer. While crafting hits for artists such as Destiny’s Child, Ying Yang Twins, Britney Spears, and Michael Jackson and even scoring tracks for the movie Belly and Life, this golden child was making music history and seizing everybody’s attention. Now with his first solo debut titled Royalty on his Chicago-based independent label Firm Grip where he is leaving from behind the desk and taking a chance in the spotlight.

Streetz (S): How’s the new album?

Royalty (R):   Right now, I’m shopping a deal for it. It’s going to be a fusion of Hip-Hop and R&B but with stories and more lady-driven. Almost like L.L. Cool J and Slick Rick put together. Some of the stories will be personal but more about things that everybody can relate too.

S: You got signed with R. Kelly at sixteen, how did that spark off?
 
R: I was at a semi-pro basketball tournament in Atlantic City and Robert [R. Kelly] was there too.  They had a free-throw contest that I was in. When I won, I got Robert to sign my poster. So right then, I told him about my skills, passed along my demo, and from then it was on.

S: Must have been a good demo. So when did you realize that music was it for you?

R: I have always been into music. Music runs in my family. My grandfather was a singer back in the late ‘50’s and ‘60’s too. So music was always around me and I stayed busy recording tracks for people in my area. I was just driven and focused about my music.

S: Describe your 9 to 5?

R: Man, I live in the studio. When I get in the mood I’m just in there working.  But I usually start my day off with a jog to get loose and get my mind thinking. Go out there and see what people are up to. That’s how I came up with my first single “Text Me.” I just was out running and saw mad people texting and not talking.

S: Outside of producing what other projects do you have lined up?

R: I’m a full time consultant for Capitol Records. And I have an internet site (popist.com) that lets people make their own profiles and post “hot lists” of what’s the next big thing in all types of areas.

S: And for the young ones who are trying to be the next big thing, what’s your advice  for them?

R: Consistency. Stay consistent with your work and be persistent about things but not annoying. There is a difference.  Then you have to be a student of your work. Always do your homework. And never feel that you cant learn something new from somebody, you have to be humble and willing to learn. But most of all put God first and keep on pushing, don’t let rejections slow down your dreams.