If hate was love, Charles Hamilton would be Jay-Z, straight up. Since it’s not, the majority of the Hip-Hop community would have approached The Pink Sonic’s debut album thirsty for blood. However, Interscope pulled the plug, for better or worse, and This Perfect Life was shelved indefinitely.
While countless, miscellaneous fuckery has caused his reputation to be tainted for some, after the 13,503 mixtapes he’s bestowed on us, this album was to be his moment to prove to all he can garner positive attention off the strength of his music. Since it seems that will not be happening in the immediate future, we present to you what was to be.
Download — Charles Hamilton – This Perfect Life (Unreleased)
Props: D. Omen
Previously Posted — “Charles Was Never In Charge…”
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I may be confused but wasn’t this supposed to be a free debut?
When your “free debut” gets shelved…um…yeah
I like it. everyone else might hate on it whether or not they ever listen to it, but i think it’s quality. specifically “post-lynching ceremony” & “long socks”
That cover art is not the one.
Hmmm… Been waiting for this. Aside from his personal faults his music is actually pretty great at times. Hopefully somebody does an alternate cover though.
for those questioning the album art. check his blog and facebook.
#okbye
Sweet!
The Charles Hamilton hate is disturbing, especially considering there are a number of rappers who have more suspect shit on their resume’s.
You’d think Charles snatched a Moon Man from a pop star or something.
Hold ya head CH.
this is fresh. bummed he off the label
dilla’s still on the back of the album…out
What was the big deal about him giving Dilla executive producer credits?
Alright, maybe he wasn’t as close to the family as he claimed, but does he have to be? If the kid is inspired by Dilla and wants to give that man some credit, what’s the problem?
Cats were ready to pile on this kid since the beginning.
The Sonic bit & the pink wardrobe put a bullseye on his back from the gate, regardless of his talents.
I still say lil dude can rock. His music, when it’s on, is undeniable.
And I said it yesterday, Interscope shelved Gibbs when they couldn’t figure out how to market him (ironically, around the same time they picked up Charles). So maybe this is a good omen for Charles.
don’t care, not listening.
Like I expected, arbitrary hate with no rationalization behind it.
All the shit that CH has been through woulda hurt his image if he was a gangster rapper or some shit but dude always marketed himself as a real human being & human beings make mistakes.
hey – i see it my way, you see it yours. im not harpin all on you about your opinion. let me have mine
I’m gonna give this a listen and hope it sucks. Not because I want him to be a loser, but if its actually really good, I may feel sad for the lil’ homey even more.
I hope he comes back… after all, he’s better than Soulja Boy.
Hamilton and Gibbs shouldn’t be mentioned in the same comment section.
Hamilton and a bunch of newjacks on the cover of that XXL are proof that image is way more important in rap nowadays. The ones who had the “less threatening” or greater stereotypical image got there shine, but those in between mofos loss. Sad thing about the rap critics, most who speak negatively about this guy never really mention his rhymes.
hey – i see it my way, you see it yours. im not harpin all on you about your opinion. let me have mine
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You said some slick shit in response to my comment so I have every right to follow it up.
Go back to lurking.
kid grow up
Uh-oh.
kid grow up
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Says the cat who says…..
“don’t care, not listening.”
Fall back.
Charles Hamilton didn’t need to pull all these stunts for attention. He should have trusted his talent. That being said he has time to still have a successful career.
I will give it a listen.
I will be honest – either I am getting old or… I have no idea.
The only CH song I really bump on the regular is Re-Anna (and that could be due to the sample alone – nah, he says some dope ish on that record).
Other than that…
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I remember the interview TSS did with him and the negative response it received.
The problem as I see it (and I will be the first to admit if I am wrong) is that we have kids growing up in an era of Mr. West – i.e. say and do whatever you feel – be human.
Only problem is… you have to have a name before the public will accept such acts (and even then they will only tolerate it for so long).
Live and learn.
As said, unless another major signs CH… or he utilizes a new business model (which is already out there – but it is not Interscope money)…
I just do not see him being able to pull off the independent game/route.
I wonder how many would actually cop his disc and pay money for it? That is the real support of any artist presently.
*Off-topic*
(Since soccer rules football here now – lol)
Oh Romo…
How I wish you could be more consistent.
Last week you killed it…
This week…
You killed it.
(In a not so good way)
The problem as I see it (and I will be the first to admit if I am wrong) is that we have kids growing up in an era of Mr. West – i.e. say and do whatever you feel – be human.
Only problem is… you have to have a name before the public will accept such acts (and even then they will only tolerate it for so long).
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So we should penalize artists for not “playing the game”?
I liked how CH came out, being himself, not being even remotely interested in conforming.
From TSS “Smoking Session With Charles Hamilton”….
TSS: You kind of popped on the scene with the freestyle with The Game and Kanye. Where did that come from?
Charles Hamilton: Here’s what happened: Me and Kanye were in the studio in L.A. We were talking, you know, shooting the breeze. Game comes out of nowhere. I’m not really a Game fan. He’s cool. I’m more of a G-Unit fan. He comes out of nowhere and him and Kanye are talking about some cipher they had outside of Niketown. And I was like “what’s good with a cipher right now, nigga?!” So then we started spittin’. It was going on for, I swear to God, an hour before the camera even came in. So by the time ya’ll niggas saw me rappin, at this point I had gotten all the “ooo’s” and “ahh’s” and Kanye had said some iller shit before that. And Game said some…Game shit before that.
So when she came with the camera I was like “fuck it” I already proved my point to the niggas in here so I’m just gonna start throwing words around. I was just having fun. It was a blast to kick it with them niggas. They helped me get my buzz up. Me and Kanye had a joke like “Album of the year next year, you’re gonna have some comp nigga.” He laughed like “Good, I’m glad there’s somebody as passionate as me.” Kanye heard some of the album.
TSS: What he say about it?
Charles Hamilton: To tell the truth, Kanye and I are cool and at the same time we are also now competition. I know he won’t say it was the craziest shit on earth but I know he’ll give me my props.
TSS: So what was the hottest line in the cipher?
Charles Hamilton: Niggas ain’t catch how I blacked on Game. I said “15 minutes of fame/nigga ya hour’s up” because he did that 300 bar freestyle. And Kanye said “this nigga talk about cars but he got the same one/me?/I got the movie shit, Batman, James Bond.” Then The Game was talking about “something, something, something share my drama/Kanye…something-something, so we can share my mamma.” I don’t know. Actually I wasn’t paying much attention to Game.
TSS: You just ain’t feeling him? I know that’s not what Interscope tells you to say.
Charles Hamilton: Ok, I mean, for Interscope’s sake: “yea that Aston Martin poppin it’s own collar line was kinda hot.” I don’t care if fucking…who do I absolutely not like as a rapper? If there’s a rapper I just don’t like I won’t big him up just because he’s on my label. I’m on Interscope. I’m not Interscope’s mascot. I’m not gonna shit on him. We’re not gonna have inter-label beef. At the same time, do your thing, man. There are just some things I don’t like about a lot of artists and I will verbalize that much to the dismay of the administration.
It takes balls to come in the game like that.
“Ghosts” is kinda ill.
I see nothing wrong with it. But in an era of instant “Tweets” you have to be more careful than ever.
Some years ago I recall (foolishly) being young and making a negative statement about a powerful music executive. Had it been today (2009) where absolutely everything – no matter how minor – makes the rounds in an instant… my career would have been dead. I would have gone into hiding as a result.
But this was over a decade ago so without the technological advancements we currently have [or are cursed with]… that statement faded away without my having to do anything at all.
We simply just do not have that luxury any longer (Drake’s comments regarding Sylvia Rhone is a perfect example. Had what he said been relayed in 1999 instead of 2009… only those in the industry would have heard about it. No harm no foul. But presently… enh).
I was just having this exact discussion with an artist last night. The Internet is both a blessing… and a curse.
CH got a deal because of it…
But he was also dropped because of it.
It is sad that you have to watch absolutely everything you say and do presently. We are all simply human. But better to play the game [and bite your tongue] than to get played by the game.
Because in hindsight…
How is biting your tongue [99% of the time] and controlling your emotions going to hurt you?
No yellow flag for CH.
I was just having this exact discussion with an artist last night. The Internet is both a blessing… and a curse.
CH got a deal because of it…
But he was also dropped because of it.
It is sad that you have to watch absolutely everything you say and do presently. We are all simply human. But better to play the game [and bite your tongue] than to get played by the game.
Because in hindsight…
How is biting your tongue [99% of the time] and controlling your emotions going to hurt you?
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Point taken. But we as fans shouldn’t “hate” an artist cause they don’t fit into the usual box. The average cat takes way more L’s then young CH has. We just get to judge him cause his mistakes are played out in front of the
worldbloggerverse.^ @ TRA – EXCELLENT point. Whatever happened to artists having public relations agents act as a filter for what comes out of their mouth?
and not to go off on a tangent, but I think social networking/the Internet lessens the effectiveness of an artist’s music as a medium of expression…
…meaning…
it used to be that artists used to let the music speak for itself.
I mean, some still do.
but when this dude indulged in non-stop fuckery & inundated us with music AND a non-stop barrage of Tweets, blogs & YouTube clips documenting his tomfoolery, folks pretty much felt they got what he was about. and got tired of him running his mouth
it used to be that artists used to let the music speak for itself.
I mean, some still do.
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Name em.
It’s a new day and the internet is a vital part of marketing & promotion.
The gift & the curse.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it whether I get a million Grammy’s – which my goal in this industry is to get a Grammy. If they try to make me an artist or try to make me do music I don’t wanna do I will give everything back and I’m back to the street. If that means I lose my girlfriend cuz she doesn’t want a poor nigga. If it means that all these niggas around me don’t care. If it means that all the love I’m being shown is fake then fuck everybody. Cuz I’m doing what keeps me sane. And if people like it then God bless them. But I’m not compromising who I am because it took me way too long to figure out who I am. And I’m 20 years old and comfortable saying I am Charles Hamilton.”
it might not even be fair to mention him, simply cuz it could be perceived as apples & oranges, but Maxwell came off a long-ass hiatus and dropped an album that performed well.
that’s R&B tho.
as far as hip-hop?
Believe it or not, I think Eminem didn’t have to oversaturate the web.
but then again, both Maxwell & Eminem are established artists.
Blu, Diz Gibran….
that cat AC from Staten Island put out a whole bunch of music we didn’t want, but also didn’t have to shit talk to get attention
making proclamations of your ideals is cool, and expected when dealing with someone that’s Charles Hamilton’s age.
That’s what interviews are for.
Someone like Charles Hamilton, you can only take in small doses.
He put A LOT of energy in expressing himself through other mediums, mainly online. He should’ve directed most of that towards his music & controlled what he released. I guarantee it would’ve been a different story had he done that
“And I’m 20 years old and comfortable saying I am Charles Hamilton.”
And as initially thought when read…
I believe that was/is part of the problem.
20 years old.
“The average cat takes way more L’s then young CH has.”
Seriously? (And I say/ask that with all sincerity and respect Amp).
If I took that many L’s in my daily life… wow… not sure what I would do.
Do you deal with that as much as he does?
@ Teef
“Whatever happened to artists having public relations agents act as a filter for what comes out of their mouth?”
We are an industry that changes according to trends. If something works… we copy it until we kill it.
“Who cares?” is the motto.
So Kanye was brutally honest, successful, and sold tons of records.
Label exec speaking/thinking:
“Let us allow other artists to do the same. Hey, it worked for him [Kanye]… it will work for [insert Kid Cudi, CH, and whomever else they "chose" to exploit here].”
Because the aforementioned were all used as test experiments.
Real talk.
Blu, Diz Gibran….
that cat AC from Staten Island put out a whole bunch of music we didn’t want, but also didn’t have to shit talk to get attention
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True, but how much attention did you really give AC?
I think Diz is dope, but how often do you hear his name come up as one of the front runners for the new movement out West? Hardly a day passes without something pertaining to Nipsey & Jay Rock.
Blu gets attention because of his near classic joint with Exile, but post “Below The Heavens”, you hardly hear him mentioned unless he drops a new CD or beat tape.
As much as cats may hate what they see when the camera peers behind the curtain, they want to see it. Those YouTube vids keep an artist relevant in an age where new music gets released every day. New rappers pop up on the scene every month. Sure, Budden getting japped may have lost him some fans but it humanizes him. You can identify with that.
I can relate to getting sucker punched by a sucker.
Can’t say the same for Jay-Z and his fondness for quail.
“He put A LOT of energy in expressing himself through other mediums, mainly online. He should’ve directed most of that towards his music & controlled what he released. I guarantee it would’ve been a different story had he done that.”
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Absolutely true.
And I shall now no longer CH/just Josh you all.
He put A LOT of energy in expressing himself through other mediums, mainly online. He should’ve directed most of that towards his music & controlled what he released. I guarantee it would’ve been a different story had he done that
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You’re 100% correct. Hopefully he’s learned from his Interscope experience.
Do you deal with that as much as he does?
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I’ve never gotten hooked off on by a chick but people take L’s daily, minor or major lol.
I’m just saying, no one is made out of Teflon (maybe except Gotty lol). This is life. We’ve all taken our share of bumps & bruises.
Some more then others.
On the real, there is not a lot of difference between this album and his mixtapes, but at the same time it’s his most complete body of work. His verses seemed to be more focused than usual. I’m loving “Reminder.” I’m feeling what he’s saying on it. He could’ve gotten rid of “All Alone.”
TSS should review this. It’s not an official release but I say at least give him this since he’s m.i.a. CH, despite the bs, I appreciate your music. Including this joint.
fuck him
“Blu gets attention because of his near classic joint with Exile, but post “Below The Heavens”, you hardly hear him mentioned unless he drops a new CD or beat tape.”
These dudes are supposed to be musicians. Shouldn’t we only hear about them when they drop music? (Not to mention, Blu is lightyears ahead of CH)
CH can rap no doubt, but in all the spins I have given it, he really ends up with a juvenile and annoying sound, especially the singing.
I admit his work ethic was incredible and he created a huge buzz, but if he had great music to back it up, all these L’s wouldn’t matter.
He still has stans all over c-sections like this defending his talent, so why doesn’t he just sell them albums and tour for them?
All in all, I think CH’s music is lacking, which is why getting dropped from interscope mattered. People download his tapes, watch his youtubes, and laugh at his fails. But if he had some true musical skill, with an output like his, why would it matter? He could have a new album ready a month from now easy. And how hard is it for an artist to sell his music digitally or press his own cd. Not hard.
Look at Curren$y, two majors and he can do his damn thing. But can CH, i don’t think so.
one of the most talented people in hip hop, with his tripple threat ability to rap, sing, & produce
i wouldnt call it a triple threat…dude can’t sing….his production is ridiculous…and im still catchin shit in his bars that i didnt realize before…ppl who say he dosnt hav talent are crazy…if nething i would like to see him around producin for people…cuz the lil nigga can sample and chop wit the best of them..
Really the only downside of the album is his singing although everything else is done so well that you almost don’t care about that.
I had never soured on an artist the way I did Charles. It was all just too much – too much fuckery and too many fucking mixtapes to keep track of. I think this is way better than all his mixtapes production-wise and everyone should listen. I’m a fan but damn if this kid doesn’t make it difficult to be one.
Regardless of all this shit, the album is deep. Classy samples and amazing lyrics for such a young guy.