Charles Hamilton

Charles Hamilton (born November 10, 1987) is an American musician and record producer, born in Cleveland, Ohio. He is mainly known for being featured on the cover of the Freshmen 09' XXL, along with Asher Roth, Wale and B.o.B and his obsession with Sonic the Hedgehog with the character being featured on multiple mixtape covers. He is the cousin of famous female rapper MC Lyte. ==Life and career=====Early Life & Career Beginnings===Raised in Harlem, New York, Charles Eddie-Lee Hamilton Jr. 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 mother always made sure he had an instrument around him. She put different kinds of instruments in the basement of their Cleveland home, but he naturally gravitated to the keyboard. "At first, I was just playing the rhythm of the songs I would hear," says Hamilton. "The older I got, the more proficient I got at hearing the notes." For most of his life, he was self taught, picking up the lead and bass guitar in his teenage years, as well as the drums and harmonica. He says listening to other genres of music, being exposed to different cultures and experiencing life helped mold his musical sound. Utilizing a studio built in Frederick Douglass Academy (in West Harlem), Charles Hamilton spends countless hours in the studio, perfecting his craft and his signature sound. "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." In this studio is where most of Charles Hamilton's music is made. "Don't get me wrong," continues Hamilton. "I can do my thing in other studios. It's just something about home that makes my music breathe." In 2005 Charles Hamilton became a member of Demevolist Music Group, a recording label started in 2005 by CEO Howard "HCHO" J. Burke. ===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. 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 it was going to be Hamilton's major labor debut. It was also going to be the first album distributed by a major record label for free download on Charles Hamilton's own website, there was also a physical copy 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 covers where released and the deceased producer J Dilla was named as executive producer. A handful of Dilla’s closest associates through Hip-Hop had spoken. 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. The album was never released because 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. On November 16, 2009, Charles Hamilton released an Internet trailer announcing his return. His comeback mixtape called Normalcy was released on December 28, 2009. ===2010-present=== 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.B, 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 Akward (Winner Takes All), Autum Harvest, Gynophobia, Atlantis and A..., 10 Things I Hate About Me and The L Word II (INcomplete). ==Discography== ;Studio albums * This Perfect Life (2009) (Shelved) * My Heart (2011) ;Independent albums*The Pink Lavalamp (2008)*Normalcy (2009)*Tafietu (2010)*The Blue Lavalamp M.A.T.E. (Mirrors are the Enemy) (2010) ==References== ==External links==*Charles Hamilton Website*Charles Hamilton at MySpace*Charles Hamilton in HHC Digital magazine*Charles Hamilton in SPIN's 'Big in '09'*Media & Info @ allthatsfab.com*Charles Hamilton interview in Fader Charles Hamilton (Rapper)