CHARLES HAMILTON is officially back. The critically revered Harlem rapper, … Read Full Bio ↴CHARLES HAMILTON is officially back. The critically revered Harlem rapper, songwriter, and producer has inked a deal with Republic Records, and he’s readying new music for release later this year.

Signing to Sarah Stennett's label Turnfirst he has been developing his first debut album. After breaking a three-year silence with the explosive “Correct” snippet last month, his latest track, “New York Raining”, will be featured on the season finale of Fox’s Empire (he appears with Rita Ora)—airing March 18, 2015. The engaging anthem sees HAMILTON’s honest storytelling, clever wordplay, and mic prowess on full display in between a soulful and shimmering hook. It’s the perfect introduction to his next chapter.

This week, Charles Hamilton will be performing new music during an intimate show at Sayers Club in Los Angeles Wednesday February 18.

“Charles is back and the excitement for his return is immeasurable. The enthusiasm in the marketplace is overwhelming and we are thrilled to participate in the evolution of his career.” – Monte Lipman, Co-Founder & Chief Executive, Republic Records

“Charles is one of the world’s most prolific, proficient, and powerful MC's. He's also an accomplished musician who brings an organic musical element that has been missing in Hip Hop. I’ve been a fan for a very long time, and I’m honored to work with him on what’s bound to be his defining work to date. To put it simply, I can’t wait for the world to hear what he’s got on the horizon!” – Wendy Goldstein, EVP A&R, Head of Urban A&R, Republic Records

"Charles Hamilton's extra ordinary talent, courage and determination in overcoming the challenges of his condition have inspired not only everyone at Turnfirst but anyone who is privileged enough to see him perform and to understand the journey he has had. We are very excited about sharing his debut record with the world shortly." – Sarah Stennett, CEO, Turnfirst

CHARLES HAMILTON’s journey has been nothing short of triumphant. In 2009, he received the public endorsement of Eminem, scored a major label deal, appeared on the cover of XXL’s prestigious annual Freshmen issue, and had released a string of universally adored mixtapes and EPs. Behind the scenes, he faced the horrors of bipolar disorder and addiction, bravely going through treatment alone. Emerging with his condition under control, HAMILTON stands poised to finally make the impact he was born to make this year.

Voices
Charles Hamilton Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Can I be honest with you man?
I think I'm going crazy
For real
Niggas got me in my shit right now
It's like I'm hearing voices and shit
Word

I'm not too sure but I think I'm starting to lose it

Reality is moving too fast for me to do shit about it
Patience is actually a nuisance
I'm picking up too much slack for me to move quick
So many areas asking me to do shit
All I fucking hear is "do that for me then do this"
Sometimes I swear I'd rather be reclusive
I put up with so much crap because of music
These days killing me, somebody coming at my creativity
For peats sake please wait, each beat made diligently
I sample my beats but niggers can't hold a candle to me
And I'm Lyrically Gifted, I dismantle a beat
Put two and two together, it's a mantelpiece
Inside a chapel, I am the shit and I know it
But the better the music than closer the psychosis

It's the voices
All I hear in my head are these voices
Can't run can't hide, it's the voices
Some deem in my mind it's the voices
I can't avoid it
It's the voices
Some deem in my mind it's the voices
Can't run can't hide from the voices
All I hear in my head are these voices
I think I'm losing my mind

My short temper is shortened when I'm faced with shit that isn't important
I want to see the end of this horseshit, bullshit, regardless it's a rodeo
Bunch of niggas are critics, but they don't really know me though
Hit me with the okie-doke, you sound like so and so
I guess being different means you're being the same
Compare me to Em, cause he is insane
The next best is Kanye, cause I sample and dress prep
I guess yes, but what the fuck do you expect?
Label to un-labeled, place them on one table
Make them feel unable to break away from that one place they take you when they don't know what to make of you
I been chasing this dream since 13, years later still don't know what work means
Got a slew of ideas like a musical genius
But I still come up with my name for my first single

It's the voices
All I hear in my head are these voices
Can't run can't hide, it's the voices
Some deem in my mind it's the voices
I can't avoid it
It's the voices
Some deem in my mind it's the voices
Can't run can't hide from the voices
All I hear in my head are these voices
I think I'm losing my mind

See I thought of death in a sense of innocence and since there was a form millitance
That's my frame of mind and I been in it since my birth
At funerals I would pretend that it hurts, but it didn't
So I figure it's worth living at first
But I'm a quitter so the minute it hurts
I'm a sit in that hearse to be dipped in the dirt
Finished with all the sinners in thoughts
And while the minister talks I rock the casket
Standing up, screaming out "Fuck you bastards" you placed me here
You and the voices you made me hear
Absolute silence, the crazy tears
I made my point; hearing voices caused my nuts to curl
You know it's bad when you can't trust your girl
Life's a bitch, what's she touching me for?
Think it's time we had a fucking divorce
I don't love her no more

It's the voices
All I hear in my head are these voices
Can't run can't hide, it's the voices
Some deem in my mind it's the voices
I can't avoid it
It's the voices
Some deem in my mind it's the voices
Can't run can't hide from the voices
All I hear in my head are these voices
I think I'm losing my mind

The Greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist

Overall Meaning

Charles Hamilton's song Voices is a raw and introspective track that delves deep into the rapper's psyche. The first verse finds him admitting that he thinks he's going crazy and hearing voices. He talks about feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of creating music and how he puts up with a lot of crap because of it. The second verse sees Hamilton venting his frustrations at the music industry and people trying to put him in a box. His short fuse is made worse by the voices in his head, which he can't avoid. The final part of the song finds Hamilton contemplating death, but ultimately deciding that he's going to keep living and fighting against the voices in his head.

The lyrics of Voices are highly personal and reveal a lot about Charles Hamilton's struggles with mental health and the music industry. The song was released in 2008 as part of the rapper's mixtape The Hamiltonization Process and received critical acclaim for its honesty and vulnerability. A decade later, in 2018, Hamilton released a sequel to the song called Voices 2.0 which deals with similar themes.

Line by Line Meaning

Can I be honest with you man?
Charles Hamilton expresses his need to vent his emotions and be truthful with his listeners.

I think I'm going crazy
Charles Hamilton feels like he is losing his grip on reality.

Niggas got me in my shit right now
Charles Hamilton feels like people are trying to control his actions and decisions.

It's like I'm hearing voices and shit
Charles Hamilton is struggling with the voices in his head that are making it difficult for him to focus on his music and personal life.

Reality is moving too fast for me to do shit about it
Charles Hamilton is feeling overwhelmed with the pace of his life and the demands placed on him.

Patience is actually a nuisance
Charles Hamilton is feeling impatient and frustrated with the slow progress he is making towards his goals.

All I fucking hear is 'do that for me then do this'
Charles Hamilton is feeling frustrated with the constant demands placed on him and the lack of appreciation for his hard work.

Sometimes I swear I'd rather be reclusive
Charles Hamilton wishes he could isolate himself from the world to escape the pressure he is feeling.

I put up with so much crap because of music
Charles Hamilton feels like he has to deal with a lot of negative and difficult people because of his involvement in the music industry.

These days killing me, somebody coming at my creativity
Charles Hamilton is feeling challenged and threatened by other artists who criticize his music and creative process.

For peats sake please wait, each beat made diligently
Charles Hamilton wants others to appreciate the effort and time he puts into creating each beat for his music.

I sample my beats but niggers can't hold a candle to me
Charles Hamilton knows that he is talented and unique in his use of sampling in his music.

And I'm Lyrically Gifted, I dismantle a beat
Charles Hamilton is confident in his lyricism and ability to break down a beat in his music.

Put two and two together, it's a mantelpiece
Charles Hamilton believes that his music and talent are something to be proud of and admired, like a mantelpiece in a home.

Inside a chapel, I am the shit and I know it
Charles Hamilton feels like he is on top of the world in terms of his music and talent.

But the better the music than closer the psychosis
Charles Hamilton feels like the more successful and popular his music becomes, the more he struggles with mental health issues and struggles.

My short temper is shortened when I'm faced with shit that isn't important
Charles Hamilton admits that he can get angry easily, especially when dealing with insignificant and irrelevant issues.

I want to see the end of this horseshit, bullshit, regardless it's a rodeo
Charles Hamilton wants to put an end to the negativity, criticism, and unnecessary drama in his life and career, even if it means facing more challenges.

Bunch of niggas are critics, but they don't really know me though
Charles Hamilton feels like he is being unfairly judged and criticized by people who don't know him or understand him personally.

Compare me to Em, cause he is insane
Charles Hamilton is tired of being compared to Eminem simply because they both have struggled with mental health issues, and feels like he is being unfairly labeled and stereotyped.

I guess yes, but what the fuck do you expect?
Charles Hamilton is frustrated with the expectations that people have of him and his music.

Label to un-labeled, place them on one table
Charles Hamilton wants to bring together different labels and artists to collaborate and create something unique and powerful.

Make them feel unable to break away from that one place they take you when they don't know what to make of you
Charles Hamilton feels like people often label and categorize him unfairly based on their limited understanding of his music and identity.

Got a slew of ideas like a musical genius
Charles Hamilton believes that he is a musical genius with countless innovative and creative ideas.

But I still come up with my name for my first single
Charles Hamilton is still coming up with ideas for his music and career, even after years of success and experience.

See I thought of death in a sense of innocence and since there was a form millitance
Charles Hamilton reflects on his past and how he used to think about death and violence in a naive and innocent way.

That's my frame of mind and I been in it since my birth
Charles Hamilton believes that his fascination with death and the darker aspects of life has been with him since he was born.

At funerals I would pretend that it hurts, but it didn't
Charles Hamilton admits that he used to pretend to feel emotions and grief at funerals, even though he didn't actually feel anything.

So I figure it's worth living at first
Charles Hamilton finds meaning and purpose in life at first, but that changes over time.

But I'm a quitter so the minute it hurts
Charles Hamilton is quick to give up and quit when things get too difficult or painful for him.

I'm a sit in that hearse to be dipped in the dirt
Charles Hamilton is willing to die and be buried, rather than facing the challenges and struggles of life.

Finished with all the sinners in thoughts
Charles Hamilton is done with people who are negative, critical, and unhelpful in his life.

And while the minister talks I rock the casket
Charles Hamilton is defiant in the face of death and is confident in his music and legacy.

Standing up, screaming out 'Fuck you bastards' you placed me here
Charles Hamilton is angry at those who have hurt and mistreated him in life, and he feels like they are responsible for his current struggles and pain.

Absolute silence, the crazy tears
Charles Hamilton is overwhelmed with emotion and sadness, even if he doesn't show it outwardly.

I made my point; hearing voices caused my nuts to curl
Charles Hamilton is blaming the voices in his head for his mental health struggles and issues.

You know it's bad when you can't trust your girl
Charles Hamilton is feeling betrayed and hurt by someone he used to trust and love.

Life's a bitch, what's she touching me for?
Charles Hamilton is feeling angry and frustrated with life, and he doesn't understand why he is still alive and struggling.

Think it's time we had a fucking divorce
Charles Hamilton wants to end his relationship with life and stop struggling and suffering.

The Greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist
Charles Hamilton references a famous movie quote to express his belief that evil and negativity can be hidden and disguised in the world, making it hard to recognize and confront.

Contributed by Emma S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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