Rising Stars: Meet Anthony Samuels of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Samuels.

Hi Anthony, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
“God Carried Me”

Born in New York to West Indian immigrants, I was raised in New Jersey. My childhood was centered around sports and entertainment; a soccer ball at the feet, Source Magazine covers on my bedroom wall, and Hip-Hop music blasting through my speakers. My first dream was to play professional soccer and although I made it to a couple of International Countries, the ultimate opportunity to play professionally never manifested. A shattered dream plus subpar academic credentials. I was one late and one absence away from having to repeat the 12th grade, which only became known due to my mother giving me a ride to school one random day. I was blessed and fortunate to have been accepted into only one college: the illustrious Morehouse College. “God Carried Me”.

My transition from New Jersey to Georgia was a culture shock. How I grew up seemed foreign and finding solace was difficult. At a certain point, I knew that one way or another I was going to find a way to manifest my second dream of a becoming a touring musician. I knew that I had a network back in New Jersey that I just needed to return to comprised of a team full of all the essential components of a Record Label (Producers/A&Rs/Personnel/ect). I attempted to drop out of College when another student randomly interrupted my meeting with the Admissions Office seeking the same collegiate withdrawal. I took it as a sign to remain steadfast and keep the faith. “God Carried Me”.

With a Political Science degree from Morehouse College, I had a difficult time finding corporate opportunities with livable wages. In addition to my financial struggles, I either was not prepared to lead or my network was not prepared to follow and fragmentation began. After a few failed attempts at elevating my circumstances, I was informed about the possibility of Law School. I never knew about Copyrights, Trademarks, Royalties, and all things Music/Entertainment. I told one of my friends while sitting in the projects that I was going to go combine Taye Diggs and Mos Def in Brown Sugar, the business man/attorney plus musician. “God Carried Me”.

After strategically choosing Howard Law School, I dedicated twenty-one hour days to both my crafts. From school to the library, from the library to the studio, from the studio to a show performance; 6:00am-3:00am everyday. There were times when the music was yielding great results while my school work suffered and vice-versa. Without the support of some professors and administrators, I would not have graduated. “God Carried Me.”

After graduating from Howard Law, I faced a lot of familiar and personal struggles. Although I was getting booked for show performances in Washington, DC and International touring opportunities in countries like Japan and the Netherlands, I had to take the Bar Exam multiple times, some while homeless. I vowed during one attempt that If I did not pass, I would have to seek out alternative means for financial compensation. After I received the unfortunate news of another failure while leaving one of my favorite restaurants, I immediately decided to head toward one of those financial opportunities until I was rear-ended two blocks from the restaurant. A sign to stay still and never give up. “God Carried Me.”

Covid-19 nearly destroyed my music career but I passed the Bar Exam during the same time. I moved back to Atlanta, GA with a more mature and elevated state of mind. Currently I am now a touring Musician with an Independent Law Firm as Managing Attorney. “God Carried Me.”

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth roads do not exist in life; the roads are filled with speed-bumps, potholes, and dead-ends. One of my speed-bumps was having to take the Bar Exam multiple times. So much time felt like it was being wasted which was slowing down my life’s plans. One of my potholes was multiple family members being diagnosed with Cancer. There is always an underestimation of how much your mental and emotional well-being will be affected by life’s struggles. I have traveled down plenty of dead-end roads whereby I had to make a U-Turn. Sometimes you have to pull over and call AAA, which is asking for help. I am thankful to have had a friend for example when I needed a couch to sleep on unable to afford rent.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an Artist & Attorney. I am a dual threat having founded both a Record Label (How Lovely Records) and Law Practice (Law Office of Anthony P. Samuels, Esq., PLLC). I have mastered vertical integration by writing, recording, and executive producing my own albums then protecting my intellectual property through Copyrights, Trademarks, Performing Rights Organizations, and Entertainment Contracts.

My ingenuity sets me apart from others. I know the language of an artist and attorney and can exist in both spaces. It allows me to work with fellow artists I meet in both a musical and legal capacity all the while having a relatability foreign to most.

I am most proud that I am the first Attorney in my family tree, I am self-employed, and I create music that is dedicated to elevation.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Atlanta being so vast in opportunities and events that as soon as you think that you have experienced it all, there is still much to experience and explore is what I like best about Atlanta.

Traffic is what I least like about Atlanta! It seems as though rush hour is from 4:00am – 8:00pm. Traffic in addition to the accidents. It seems as though a car accident is apart of the Welcome to Atlanta Package.

Pricing:

• $100/Hour Legal Consultation
• $100/Hour Contract Review
• $800/Class Trademark Registration
• $500/Project Music Administration
• $500/Record Songwriting

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.asamuelslaw.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howlovelydon?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MW5uY2wyMnh3cmFhag==
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-s-37255738/
• Twitter: https://x.com/BlackInk
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@howlovelyrecords6359
• Other: https://www.howlovely.shop

Image Credits
Darrin Stevens Photography