Charles Hamilton (rapper)
Encyclopedia
Charles Eddie-Lee Hamilton, Jr. (born November 10, 1987) is an American musician
, rapper and record producer
, born in Cleveland, Ohio
.
Mainstream popularity came from being featured on the cover of the Freshmen 09' XXL
, along with Asher Roth
, B.o.B
and Wale
. Hamilton is notorious for his favoritism with the color pink and his obsession with Sonic the Hedgehog
- all part of his "Super Sonic Philosophy". He also is the cousin of famous rapper MC Lyte
.
, Charles Hamilton has spent countless hours in the studio, developing his craft and his own signature sound. Hamilton stated, "The Lab (FDA's studio) means so much to me, because when I literally didn't have anywhere else to go in the world, I can just go into my beloved alma mater and purge myself creatively." The studio in the Frederick Douglass Academy is where most of Charles Hamilton's music is made. Hamilton has also stated, regarding FDA's studio, that "[I] can do my thing in other studios. It's just something about home that makes my music breathe."
Hamilton was to be releasing his first studio album on Interscope
, titled This Perfect Life, in 2009. According to Hamilton's blog at the time, the album was to be released digitally on June 23, 2009, and the physical copy in stores on August 25, 2009. The album was supposed to be Hamilton's major label debut and the first album distributed by a major record label for free download on Charles Hamilton's own website. There was also a physical copy of the album that would have to be purchased in stores that included a DVD of animated videos to help the listener get a better feel for the music. Hamilton caused some controversy when the album cover
s were released and the deceased producer, J Dilla
, was named as executive producer
. A handful of Dilla’s closest associates through Hip-Hop began speaking out against Hamilton's use of the name and its connection to his music. Hamilton later stated he was wishing to financially help J Dilla
's mother who had thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
, the same illness that took J Dilla
's life. J Dilla's name was later removed from the album artwork due to legal reasons. After months of speculation, the album was never released as a result of Hamilton getting dropped from Interscope
on September 19, 2009 for unknown reasons. But it was still released digitally as a leak on various websites.
, released a video trailer on March 29, 2010 to promote the song "Paperboy". In the video, B.o.B hinted that the two may possibly be making a mixtape together. The single "Paperboy" ended up being released on May 21, 2010. Also in March, Hamilton dedicated a song called "Choices (A Wave to Alex)" in honor of a friend who died after getting in the car with a drunk driver." Hamilton released a new single called "Gauchos" on May 4, 2010. On July 3, 2010, Hamilton released six mixtapes entitled Well This Isn't Awkward (Winner Takes All), Autumn Harvest, Gynophobia, Atlantis and A..., 10 Things I Hate About Me and The L Word II (INcomplete).
On September 23rd, 2011, one day after his discharge from Community Assessment & Treatment Services Rehab (C.A.T.S), Charles Hamilton released two mixtapes, 'Gynophobia 2' & 'C.A.T.S. Can'.
Early morning of October 4, 2011, Charles Hamilton publicly released 'What The Hell is Wrong With You?!' via his Facebook page. This project was written during his rehabilitation and lated recorded following his discharge from rehab on September 22, 2011.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, rapper and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, born in Cleveland, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
.
Mainstream popularity came from being featured on the cover of the Freshmen 09' XXL
XXL (magazine)
XXL is a Hip-Hop magazine, published by Harris Publications.In 1997, XXL was founded by former Source staffers as well as other Harris Publication employees, who wanted to create their own magazine about the hip-hop music and culture using the model developed by the founders of The Source...
, along with Asher Roth
Asher Roth
Asher Paul Roth is an American rapper.-Early life:Asher Roth was born and raised in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, a small town about 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia. His mother, Elizabeth , is a yoga instructor, and his father, David Roth, is the executive director of a design firm...
, B.o.B
B.o.B
Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. , better known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both...
and Wale
Wale (rapper)
Wale Victor Folarin , better known by his stage name Wale , is an American rapper from Washington, D.C. Wale was born to Nigerian parents. He rose to prominence in 2006, when his song "Dig Dug " became popular in his hometown. Wale became locally recognized and continued recording music for the...
. Hamilton is notorious for his favoritism with the color pink and his obsession with Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog (character)
, trademarked Sonic The Hedgehog, is a video game character and the main protagonist of the Sonic video game series released by Sega, as well as in numerous spin-off comics, cartoons, and a feature film. The first game was released on June 23, 1991, to provide Sega with a mascot to rival Nintendo's...
- all part of his "Super Sonic Philosophy". He also is the cousin of famous rapper MC Lyte
MC Lyte
MC Lyte is an American rapper who first gained fame in the late-1980s becoming the first solo female rapper to release a full album with 1988's critically acclaimed Lyte as a Rock.-Early life:...
.
Early life and career beginnings
Raised in Harlem, New York, Charles Hamilton was exposed to music at an early age. "My mother was an entertainment journalist for the Cleveland Call and Post, so she would take me with her to events when I was just a baby." Hamilton stated his mother always made sure he had an instrument around him. His mother put different kinds of instruments in the basement of their Cleveland home, but he naturally gravitated to the keyboard. Hamilton has stated, "At first, I was just playing the rhythm of the songs I would hear... The older I got, the more proficient I got at hearing the notes." For most of his life, Hamilton was self-taught, picking up the lead and bass guitar in his teenage years, as well as the drums and harmonica. Hamilton has stated that listening to other genres of music, being exposed to different cultures and experiencing life helped mold his musical sound. Utilizing a studio built in the Frederick Douglass AcademyFrederick Douglass Academy
Frederick Douglass Academy , formerly known as IS 10, is a co-educational, public middle school and high school for grades 6-12 located in West Harlem, New York City. It is considered by many to be the best college preparatory school in Harlem as it offers programs such as SAT prep courses and...
, Charles Hamilton has spent countless hours in the studio, developing his craft and his own signature sound. Hamilton stated, "The Lab (FDA's studio) means so much to me, because when I literally didn't have anywhere else to go in the world, I can just go into my beloved alma mater and purge myself creatively." The studio in the Frederick Douglass Academy is where most of Charles Hamilton's music is made. Hamilton has also stated, regarding FDA's studio, that "[I] can do my thing in other studios. It's just something about home that makes my music breathe."
2008-2009: Interscope Records & J Dilla controversy
In 2008, Hamilton stated that his debut solo digital album, The Pink Lavalamp, is his way of illustrating his ideas for the future of music. The Pink Lavalamp was later released on December 8, 2008 online as a free download.Hamilton was to be releasing his first studio album on Interscope
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
, titled This Perfect Life, in 2009. According to Hamilton's blog at the time, the album was to be released digitally on June 23, 2009, and the physical copy in stores on August 25, 2009. The album was supposed to be Hamilton's major label debut and the first album distributed by a major record label for free download on Charles Hamilton's own website. There was also a physical copy of the album that would have to be purchased in stores that included a DVD of animated videos to help the listener get a better feel for the music. Hamilton caused some controversy when the album cover
Album cover
An album cover is the front of the packaging of a commercially released audio recording product, or album. The term can refer to either the printed cardboard covers typically used to package sets of 10" and 12" 78 rpm records, single and sets of 12" LPs, sets of 45 rpm records , or the front-facing...
s were released and the deceased producer, J Dilla
J Dilla
James Dewitt Yancey , better known by the stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was an American record producer who emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michigan...
, was named as executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
. A handful of Dilla’s closest associates through Hip-Hop began speaking out against Hamilton's use of the name and its connection to his music. Hamilton later stated he was wishing to financially help J Dilla
J Dilla
James Dewitt Yancey , better known by the stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was an American record producer who emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michigan...
's mother who had thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a rare disorder of the blood-coagulation system, causing extensive microscopic thromboses to form in small blood vessels throughout the body...
, the same illness that took J Dilla
J Dilla
James Dewitt Yancey , better known by the stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was an American record producer who emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michigan...
's life. J Dilla's name was later removed from the album artwork due to legal reasons. After months of speculation, the album was never released as a result of Hamilton getting dropped from Interscope
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
on September 19, 2009 for unknown reasons. But it was still released digitally as a leak on various websites.
2010-present: NewCo Music, arrest and trials
On March 25, 2010, Charles Hamilton released his mixtape entitled The Binge Vol. 3 - Charles Hamilton's Last Mixtape. Although he announced that The Binge Vol. 3 would be his last mixtape, Hamilton, along with fellow rapper B.o.BB.o.B
Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. , better known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both...
, released a video trailer on March 29, 2010 to promote the song "Paperboy". In the video, B.o.B hinted that the two may possibly be making a mixtape together. The single "Paperboy" ended up being released on May 21, 2010. Also in March, Hamilton dedicated a song called "Choices (A Wave to Alex)" in honor of a friend who died after getting in the car with a drunk driver." Hamilton released a new single called "Gauchos" on May 4, 2010. On July 3, 2010, Hamilton released six mixtapes entitled Well This Isn't Awkward (Winner Takes All), Autumn Harvest, Gynophobia, Atlantis and A..., 10 Things I Hate About Me and The L Word II (INcomplete).
On September 23rd, 2011, one day after his discharge from Community Assessment & Treatment Services Rehab (C.A.T.S), Charles Hamilton released two mixtapes, 'Gynophobia 2' & 'C.A.T.S. Can'.
Early morning of October 4, 2011, Charles Hamilton publicly released 'What The Hell is Wrong With You?!' via his Facebook page. This project was written during his rehabilitation and lated recorded following his discharge from rehab on September 22, 2011.
Studio albums
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2009 | This Perfect Life
|
Free albums
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2008 | The Pink Lavalamp
|
| 2009 | Normalcy
|
| 2010 | T.A.F.I.E.T.U. (The Album For Interscope Executives To Understand)
|
| The Blue Lavalamp: M/A/T/E (Mirrors Are The Enemy)
|
|
| 2011 | Sober Karaoke
|
Mixtapes
- The Binge Vol. 1 (Staring at the Lavalamp) (2006)
- Crash Landed (2008)
- Outside Looking (2008)
- Death of the Mixtape Rapper (2008)
- And Then They Played Dilla (2008)
- Staff Development (2008)
- It's Charles Hamilton (2008)
- The L Word (2008)
- Sonic the Hamilton (2008)
- Intervention (2008)
- Well Isn't This Awkward... (2009)
- My Brain Is Alive (2009)
- Every Charles Hamilton Ex-Girlfriend's Worst Nightmare (2009)
- TakeMeToYourLeader (2009)
- The Dead Zone (2009)
- At Most I'm Just...(2009)
- Dope2Go (The Halo+The Hamilton Project) (2009)
- Shut Up Already (3 Song Mixtape) (2009)
- This Perfect 3 Song Mixtape (2009)
- The Binge Vol. 3 (Charles Hamilton's Last Mixtape) (2010)
- Well This Isn't Awkward (Winner Takes All) (2010)
- Autumn Harvest (2010)
- Gynophobia (2010)
- Atlantis And A... ('08, '09, '10)(2010)
- 10 Things I Hate About Me (2010)
- The L Word II (INcomplete) (2010)
- Segahamilton.blogspot.com (2010)
- Grow Wing Pains (2010)
- Hamiltonstrumentals (2010)
- Spelling Bee (2010)
- Starchaser Radio (CH/H2) (2010)
- (for your locker) 3-Song High School/Campus EP (2010)
- Sonic the Hamilton 2: HD (2010)
- reIntervention (2010)
- Snap Crackle Pop (2010)
- Mic Check (LWord3) (2010)
- The Hardest Mixtape EVER... Muthafuckas (2010)
- Back To The Future, Back To The Haze (with Corporate) (2010)
- Charles Hamilton's Attempts at "Swag" (2011)
- The Power of Illumination (2011)
- NHF (2011)
- The Up (2011)
- C.A.T.S. Can (2011)
- What The Hell Is Wrong With You?! (2011)
- When I Wanna Wonder (2011)
- Arguments With Briana (2011)
- Happy 9th Birthday (2011)
- Beats For The Cause (2011)
With 'Demevolist Music Group'
- Ayo! These Niggaz Went Hollywood (2008)
- First Order of Business Disc 1: Plan (2009)
Singles
| Year | Song | Chart positions | Album | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
U.S. R&B Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
U.S. Rap | UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
UK R&B UK R&B Chart The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week... |
CAN Canadian Hot 100 The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007... |
|||
| 2008 | "Brooklyn Girls" | 97 | — | — | — | — | — | Outside Looking |
| 2009 | "Loser" | — | — | — | — | — | — | The Pink Lavalamp |
| "Babara Walters" | — | — | — | — | — | — | "This Perfect Life" | |
| 2010 | "Gauchos" | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| "Paperboy" feat. B.o.B B.o.B Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. , better known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both... |
— | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "All Alone" | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Music videos
| Year | Song | Album | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | November 10 | Outside Looking | Matt Alonzo |
| Brooklyn Girls | |||
| 2009 | Word? Aight | ||
| Loser | The Pink Lavalamp |
External links
- The Charles Hamilton Project
- Charles Hamilton at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Charles Hamilton in HHC Digital magazine
- Charles Hamilton in SPIN's 'Big in '09'
- Charles Hamilton interview in Fader