S. Samuel
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.” (VIBE)
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]” (Hip Hop Game)
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].” (Bossip)
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.” (YRB Magazine)
Check out some recent Charles Hamilton footage down below:
YRB TV: Charles Hamilton (Part 1) from YRB Magazine on Vimeo.
