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Image via Billboard / Brigitte Sire
By Eric Diep
Charles Hamilton is staying positive. This year, the New York rapper has made a conscious decision to reveal his struggles with depression and addiction, explaining in his first interview with Billboard that he has stabilized his bipolar disorder and has a new lease on life. So far, so good. He has delivered polished songs like “Correct” and “New York Raining” featuring Rita Ora, which became a fan favorite after its broadcast debut on Empire. His forthcoming album aims to break Hamilton’s musical silence for good.
At SXSW, the 27-year-old rapper powered through heavy rain and performed an exclusive set of new songs at the Pigeons & Planes No Ceilings showcase featuring Little Simz, Jack Garratt, Boogie, Bobby Raps, Lucki Eck$, and Tunji Ige. Lyrically, he hadn’t lost a step, but most importantly, he looked and sounded healthy, energized, and ready for the spotlight.
On the heels of a successful comeback launch, we spoke to him about the single’s reception, how he’s feeling, and what fans can expect this year.
You have this new single called “New York Raining” that you debuted in February. It has already taken off in a major way. How do you feel about the acceptance of your music now?
I’m glad people are listening to my music, for one. Two, I’m glad it’s successful. And three, I’m glad I’m getting the opportunity to tell my story again.
What was your headspace like when you were writing this song?
I started off venting, and after I while I realized how I really feel about the woman that I’m talking to. So I told her within three verses everything I felt. It’s a real love song, a real love story.
It’s interesting that you wanted to release new music now and be back in the public eye. Why did you choose to be so open about your life after finding yourself?
It’s an ultimate decision to share everything about your personal life. I made that decision a while ago. I’m not gonna hide anything. I don’t feel like I have anything to hide, so now that I’m impacting the mainstream, I might as well as continue to be on that path. With good music comes a lot of pain, so I guess I want people to accept and respect what I’m offering. Hopefully they can learn from it.
Who are you trying to talk to in your music?
Before, it was anybody that was going through problems. But now I realize the world has its own set of problems, so I want to talk to the world.
You recently revealed that you had bipolar disorder. Why did you decide to talk about that and your treatment in public?
I decided to reveal to the world that I had bipolar disorder for anyone who had the exact same condition or a similar condition. Hopefully, I can help them deal with their problems through my lyrics and show them how to persevere through my own perseverance. I could have given up a while ago but I didn’t.
When did you realize you needed help?
I realized I needed help when I first got out of jail. That was the point where I was like, I need to be man enough to ask for help. And that’s what I did.
Are you happy where you’re at now?
Yeah, I’ve received the kind of help I needed and I’m surrounded by people who truly care about me for more than just the music and money.
What advice do you have for artists who may be dealing with what you went through?
Survival is key. Do what you have to do in order to survive. First of all, don’t burn any bridges. Second, know who you are before you get into the business. You have to know who you are and what you’re about before you step into the business. And finally, believe in yourself—the ultimate. You gotta really believe in yourself.
Everyone thought that I was crazy. Nobody likes to be called crazy, even when they’re diagnosed with bipolar.
Did that journey have a lot of ups and downs?
Yeah, there were plenty of ups and downs. Everyone thought that I was crazy. Nobody likes to be called crazy, even when they’re diagnosed with bipolar. I work very hard and my hard work is starting to pay off and that’s all that really matters.
Are you ever worried your more polished work is going to alienate fans that loved your lo-fi stuff?
The lyrics have gotten stronger over time. I think that if you are truly into the music, you’ll be into the lyrics. And these lyrics are potent and powerful enough that I think regardless of fidelity—low fidelity, high fidelity—I will still stand out to them.
You debuted some new songs at SXSW. What can you tell me about “Ugly Supermodel?”
At the time I wrote it, I wasn’t really feeling too good about myself. And the beat was a kind of a feel-good kind of beat. I just vented. I wasn’t happy with myself, so I just vented about everything I didn’t like about myself.
Why did you come up with the title, “Ugly Supermodel?”
It’s kind of like an oxymoron. You can’t be ugly if you’re a supermodel but if you’re a supermodel and you feel ugly, you still gotta do what a supermodel does.
“Be With You” was another record you performed. It had more of a poppy vibe to it.
Basically, I was acknowledging the fact that the beat sounded pop. But, I was trying to say beyond all the pop life and cameras and everything else that comes with being a pop star, I just want to be with one particular girl. It’s just up to the girl to figure out who she is.
“Let’s Roll” was the last new song you played at South By. Break down this one for me.
It was a conversation between me and a good friend of mine. I was telling him everything that I am going through in the business—both the last time and this time. So I was just sharing with him in that song all the stuff that I was going through. You’re listening to a private conversation.
What do you want people to take away from Charles Hamilton in 2015?
I want people to know that I’m a survivor. I survived through the worst of experiences and I’m ready for the best of experiences. Everybody should be prepared to make the switch to not necessarily being much of anything in your own eyes to being something you cherish. The more you cherish yourself, the more they’ll cherish you.
I want people to know that I’m a survivor. I survived through the worst of experiences and I’m ready for the best of experiences.
You’ve gotten right back into things with a bunch of new freestyles. Do you think that’s an important skill that’s missing in rap today?
In hip-hop, hell yeah, it’s an important skill. My favorite rappers are the ones that can freestyle on a record and make a song out of it, such as Lil Wayne, Jay Z, even Drake. I heard Kendrick freestyles—that’s pretty cool.
You’ve always been the type to put the music first before the fame and money. Is that still your goal?
I just want my music to be heard. I’ve gotta be able to pay the bills, you know what I mean? Hopefully, my good message will help me be able to pay these bills. I’m just looking for success as it may come, but I believe there will be success.
This year, are we going to see an album or mixtape?
Definitely an album in September. We have so many names floating around it’s not even funny. We are gonna work on that in the coming weeks. We have plenty of time. We are trying to make this more a cerebral album, so we’re thinking about a title.
What about producers? Who have you been working with?
I’ve been working with the Invisible Men. Ray Angry from The Roots. We are still talking to a few producers as far as an overall direction, but right now it’s heavily produced by myself and the Invisible Men.
Who have you collaborated with besides Rita Ora?
We are still talking about that. There are some talks. Once again, because we are in the early stages, we can’t necessarily delve into who is being collaborated with. Some names in the pot would definitely blow your mind. I can’t tell you who just yet.
Who is on your wish list?
Definitely Drake. Kid Cudi. Maybe even André 3000. Just be on the lookout for me. A lot of big things are coming.
