Cover Story: Chalie Boy “Long Time Coming” (Issue #26)

Check out our cover story with the “Versatile Child” Chalie Boy. Last year, his smash hit single “I Look Good” landed this Texas artist a major label deal with Battery / Jive Records. (Interview by Aaron Cortez)

Where are you from?
I’m from Hearne/Calvert, Texas. I was singing since a child in church. That’s where my singing background comes from. In 2000, I started rappin’ and I signed on to Dirty 3rd Records. I started accumulating years of mixtapes until 2009 when I made my song “I Look Good” which got me signed on to Battery/Jive Records.

When creating “I Look Good” were you trying to make that ‘big hit’ single?
The objective was to make a catchy single with current style and tempo of music today. We were trying to meet the radio standards.

Where did the Chalie Boy name come from?
My great uncle was named Chalie and my name is Charles. I just combined the two.

When you first came out it was apart of the “Freestyle Kingz” and then with rapper Tite. When did you become a solo artist?
When I joined Dirty 3rd Records, in 2000, it was initially the “Freestyle Kingz”. As time went on, Tite and I got together. Then we moved on to solo projects.

What’s the biggest difference in the music industry from when you started to now?
The biggest difference is establishing yourself. You’re in a market making mixtapes. It’s easier now with the internet. People can now physically see you and hear you. The internet is a gift and a curse. For an artist starting from ground zero, its the best thing possible. Back then, we had to hit the road, stand on the block and put music in stores to get people to listen. Now, people can click ‘download’ for a mixtape on the internet.

Does the internet hurt the artists and create one-hit wonders?
It definitely watered-down the music. No one is checking for their history. Guys are jumping in with a hit song and that’s that. That’s a big fall back for artists who have been around a longtime but haven’t made that one song with the industry standards.

Where have you been traveling to?
Before I got signed I was always traveling. Now, I get an indepth look on the industry when I go to New York or California and work with the movers and shakers.

Speak to the independent artists who have to been in the game as long as you.
For those who have been doing it as long as me, don’t give up. Doors and opportunities are always open. Use all the tools in front of you: radio, internet, and DJ’s. Even with the internet being as big as it is, the DJ’s are your most important tool.