B.o.B. Defends Charles Hamilton's Mental Health, "He's Not Crazy"

Grand Hustle's B.o.B. has stepped forward to discuss the mental health of fellow rapper Charles Hamilton after his recent stay in a psychiatric facility.

According to B.o.B., all musicians are constantly exploring themselves and music.

"You have to understand... Charles Hamilton is not crazy," says B.o.B of his longtime ally. "He was in a place of extreme possibilities music-wise. He has not veered in on the reality that he wants to create. As with all artists, if we were astronauts we would be on Pluto [laughs]. We dance on the line of insanity. We really do. If you look at some of the greatest artists in history, they were really out there. It's like that movie Inception. If you don't keep something like a totem to keep you remembering who you are, you'll get lost...Charles and I are cool. I talk to him a lot. He's always discovering himself, putting his experiences into his music."

Last October, B.o.B. offered some words of encouragement to the troubled rapper.

"You know, he actually gave some good advice on ['Change Gon' Come]," B.o.B. said about their past collaboration. "He was like, 'How do you change what was written/Don't pull into mind what they mention,' and I would tell him that. I would just tell him to continue to be positive because positivity can override anything -- even the worse sh*t that happened -- even death. You know positivity is positive. You could make positive out of anything. Actually, when you think about the type of inspiration it takes to make a song, he's in a great position. Because as an artist, when everything is going great, then you're just on cruises, and you're on vacation, and you don't want to make a song. You just want to relax. It's always when something bad happens, that's when you're inspired. I definitely wouldn't be surprised to see Charles Hamilton coming out bangin'. [laughs]"

Prior to reportedly being released last week, Hamilton explained his decision to seek medical help in late July.

"Basically my stay here [NY Presbyterian Mental Hospital] is like identical to my stay in the industry. As far as being the new guy in here having to deal with politics & people trying to control you. The critics would have to be the doctors and the rounds [medicine guys]. So you can say this is like an experiment to see if the industry is really like an asylum or if I was the one bugging. Some say the Industry is like High School but it's just like a [mental hospital]."

Recently, the rapper spoke on finding new life and interest in music.

"While all this is going on, I'm on a very serious spiritual journey," Hamilton revealed in an interview. "Everything that is to come, is TBA (to be announced) because, like, what it all boils down to is, if I'm not satisfied with who I look at in the mirror, both as an artist and as a public figure, you're just not gonna see me. So interviews and everything, I love them, this is great, the spotlight is great...this time out, I'm letting everybody know, because I take music and art so serious, there's a chance I'll be scarce just to get music and I feel like I needed to say that now. The projects aren't TBA, it's just how long I'm gonna be in the limelight and this isn't to sound like I'm threatening to leave or trying to stay or anything like that, there's a bigger picture and a lot of artists hit this crossroads -- I'm so dedicated to my art that we'll talk about any project it's just that I need to make sure I'm right, within, first and that goes out to any and every aspiring artist or whatever it is that you do. Make sure you are right, within, before yougo out and say that music or your art form -- this experience is a lot bigger for me than selling some records and performing in front of a crowd."

Check out some recent Charles Hamilton footage down below:

YRB TV: Charles Hamilton (Part 1) from YRB Magazine on Vimeo.

Charles Hamilton Checks Into Mental Hospital, "In This Hospital I Can Really Be My Natural Self"

Rapper Charles Hamilton has reportedly checked into the NewYork Presbyterian Mental Hospital in an effort to gain control over his life.

Speaking in an interview, Hamilton explained his decision to seek medical help.

"Basically my stay here [NY Presbyterian Mental Hospital] is like identical to my stay in the industry. As far as being the new guy in here having to deal with politics & people trying to control you. The critics would have to be the doctors and the rounds [medicine guys]. So you can say this is like an experiment to see if the industry is really like an asylum or if I was the one bugging. Some say the Industry is like High School but it's just like a [mental hospital]."

Hamilton is also determined to prove a point while being closely looked after.

"My fellow artists would have to be my fellow patients, and they're just as frustrated as [rappers] cause they have to take their meds and the patients in the Industry [rappers] have to take their medicine which is Industry politics. I'm the retard who takes off my med bracelet and I just do exactly what I'm not supposed to do. All I would normally do, like the stuff I do people think it's irregular and people that really know me are like what's everyone mad about he's just being himself. In this hospital I can really be my natural self. Just like I am in the Industry but everyone is so content with putting up this fake imagery that feel like being yourself ruins your image. Everything I've done in this industry, whether it was based on outside speculation, peer pressure, or the outside feeling I was being extorted or the outside feeling I was buggin out, I remained true to me. I do it like I've done everything else in my life, it's just like I'VE ALWAYS BEEN VALEDICTORIAN MATERIAL BUT I'VE MADE SURE I WAS THE CLASS FAILURE just to prove a point to administrators and the people who make money off students in the school. I'm the kid in the back of the class that will probably get beat up by all your favorite bullies and is smarter than any kid that's ever stepped into the school but is failing..."

According to Presbyterian, the faculty and hospital is among the top in the country.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is one of the most comprehensive university hospitals in the world, with leading specialists in every field of medicine. We are composed of two renowned medical centers, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, and affiliated with two Ivy League medical institutions, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Weill Cornell Medical College.

Recently, the rapper spoke on finding new life and interest in music.

"While all this is going on, I'm on a very serious spiritual journey," Hamilton revealed in an interview. "Everything that is to come, is TBA (to be announced) because, like, what it all boils down to is, if I'm not satisfied with who I look at in the mirror, both as an artist and as a public figure, you're just not gonna see me. So interviews and everything, I love them, this is great, the spotlight is great...this time out, I'm letting everybody know, because I take music and art so serious, there's a chance I'll be scarce just to get music and I feel like I needed to say that now. The projects aren't TBA, it's just how long I'm gonna be in the limelight and this isn't to sound like I'm threatening to leave or trying to stay or anything like that, there's a bigger picture and a lot of artists hit this crossroads -- I'm so dedicated to my art that we'll talk about any project it's just that I need to make sure I'm right, within, first and that goes out to any and every aspiring artist or whatever it is that you do. Make sure you are right, within, before yougo out and say that music or your art form -- this experience is a lot bigger for me than selling some records and performing in front of a crowd."

Check out a recent Charles Hamilton interview down below:

YRB TV: Charles Hamilton (Part 1) from YRB Magazine on Vimeo.

Charles Hamilton Clocks In Studio Time For Comeback, Says "Thank Me Later" Producer

In response to recent news of Charles Hamilton's comeback, SOHH spoke with the rapper's producer Omen to find out about the new project.

Omen claims Hamilton has begun clocking in more studio time with producers and artists.

"I've been working with Charles for a couple months," Omen told SOHH. "He's working on this project and basically it's an independent situation and he's collaborating a lot more now with other producers and artists. Before, it was a lot more him producing, I guess the label had a lot of restraints on him of what to put out and what not to put out. He's a work horse, like, with Charles, if you give him 14 hours, he'll probably come out with 14 songs. Charles can take a bunch of songs and ideas balled up into one human mind. Once he gets in the studio, he's pretty much all out."

O also believes Hamilton's recent struggle with Interscope Records has helped him become a legend to rap newcomers.

"Basically, I think artists seen him and a lot of them looked up to him because he had such an ill situation with Interscope," O added. "And when he had that [XXL Magazine] Freshmen cover, people were like 'He's ill, he's one of them dudes,' and then it never really amounted. So it's like, he's looked at as the legend. Even though he's looked at as a freshman, a lot of artists that got on the blog sites, starting to come up now, they're like, 'Yo, Charles Hamilton is ill, he had a mixtape every month.' He's a beast, he was like an urban legend kind of deal but still they still respect and pay homage. He has fun doing what he does."

Last January, Hamilton inked an open letter discussing being dropped from Interscope.

"When the news broke about me being released from the label, I wasn't mad. Just frustrated at the fact I would be asked a million pressing questions about it. My emotions were already numb at personal stuff, and I knew that being the (insert adjective here) of the music business would make me a humor target. Whatever I thought. All I wanted to do was release my music to the masses and be heard on the scale of legends...I am appreciative, and I am working on making this year and every other as progressive and CALM as chances allow."

Recently, the rapper spoke on finding new life and interest in music.

"While all this is going on, I'm on a very serious spiritual journey," Hamilton revealed in an interview. "Everything that is to come, is TBA (to be announced) because, like, what it all boils down to is, if I'm not satisfied with who I look at in the mirror, both as an artist and as a public figure, you're just not gonna see me. So interviews and everything, I love them, this is great, the spotlight is great...this time out, I'm letting everybody know, because I take music and art so serious, there's a chance I'll be scarce just to get music and I feel like I needed to say that now. The projects aren't TBA, it's just how long I'm gonna be in the limelight and this isn't to sound like I'm threatening to leave or trying to stay or anything like that, there's a bigger picture and a lot of artists hit this crossroads -- I'm so dedicated to my art that we'll talk about any project it's just that I need to make sure I'm right, within, first and that goes out to any and every aspiring artist or whatever it is that you do. Make sure you are right, within, before you go out and say that music or your art form -- this experience is a lot bigger for me than selling some records and performing in front of a crowd."

Charles Hamilton's debut, The Pink Lavalamp, was a digital-only release which dropped December 2008.

Check out a recent Charles Hamilton interview below:

YRB TV: Charles Hamilton (Part 1) from YRB Magazine on Vimeo.

Charles Hamilton Freestyle On Toca Tuesday!

Drake Producer On Charles Hamilton's Comeback, "People Will Be Really Surprised"

Drake's "Shut It Down" producer Omen has discussed Charles Hamilton's return to rap and said his new album will surprise a lot of fans.

According to O, the New York-based rapper already has over ten records in the books.

"Charles' focus right now is putting out really clever records, but joints that can bump in the club," the Harlem-bred producer says. "As far as his pen game, Charles is a genius in his own right. His whole vibe is left-field and he's one of the quickest artists I ever worked with. We did like 14 songs in two days. This might be the first time where he doesn't really produce the bulk of the album. I think people will be really surprised... that dude has a lot of good joints lined up."
The rapper's "I Hate Parties" single landed online earlier this week.

Two years ago everyone loved Charles Hamilton's cheeky Sonic the Hedgehog steez and heartfelt odes to "Brooklyn Girrrrrls." Then everyone turned on him after that chick wailed on him in that internet video and he falsified Dilla-bro status. Hamilton went half-milk carton for a little while, popping up here and there for a comeback. Now apparently people are down with him again, if Last Night's Tweets (TM) are to be believed, after he charmed/rapped himself back into everyone's good graces with his recent performance with B.O.B. in New York. Perhaps to combat the fickle nature of his once and future fanbase, he just dropped this party song about hating parties, interpolating The Cars' "Just What I Needed" with a little 808 jangle and rapping about, what else, being jacked up in the head. We think his voice got a little deeper but his flow is still nice and he's still an amiable weirdo. Chicken wangs/ candy paint/ the color of my drank is the color of the pain. Charles and Lil B collabo?
Former Hamilton rap rival, Rhymefest, recently spoke with SOHH and gave some advice to the young emcee.

"I mean, I don't have anything against the brother, like, I don't hardball, I just feel like you diss me, I diss you," Fest told SOHH referring to his past beef with Hamilton. "That's just the way it is, I don't hold no animosity but I see the brother is punishing himself. You know what I'm saying? He thinks there's something, he may think it's something Jesus-like in the self-sacrificing that he's doing but he's punishing himself and he has to, in his heart, he has to decide to stop doing that, not just with me but with everything. With the J-Dilla, the girl he hit on -- all the stuff, I kinda feel empathy, I think that would be the correct word, not sympathy but empathy, I'm like man bro, whatever depression, he gotta find happiness and stop punishing himself."
Last January, Hamilton explained his recent disappearance from hip-hop.

"Here I am, out of my protective external bubble, and into my own," he wrote. "I have made mistakes, angered some, confused others, fought guidance and embraced chaos. At the same time, I learned about self-growth, got acclaim for my work, touched hearts and developedpositive relationships...My time out of the proverbial limelight had many different motives. The first and most important was to make sure that my own sanity and health was in tact...Second, I had to get things right with my mother and family. Some things were in print and in music that required the family to talk in person. I wasn't always around, and every family has their skeletons...When the news broke about me being released from the label, I wasn't mad. Just frustrated at the fact I would be asked a million pressing questions about it. My emotions were already numb at personal stuff, and I knew that being the (insert adjective here) of the music business would make me a humor target. Whatever I thought. All I wanted to do was release my music to the masses and be heard on the scale of legends...I am appreciative, and I am working on making this year and every other as progressive and CALM as chances allow."
Check out Charles Hamilton's "I Hate Parties" below:

Charles Hamilton & B.O.B Freestyle Outside The Whip!