An Interview With The Promising R&B Crooner, WILSON CHARLES On New Music, Biggest Inspirations and More!

Emerging artist Wilson Charles is redefining contemporary R&B by delivering a slick mix of pop, soul, R&B and hip-hop elements. Born in Haiti and raised in Boston, Wilson Charles is slowly diversifying his sound while focusing in on his musical messages with his latest new single “Expectations”.

The goal of Wilson’s music is to create conversation within the community, and his purpose includes promoting self-expression, bettering self-perception, allowing children and impoverished communities to find success through hard work and dedication, and creating equality in the community by empowering women to empower themselves and realize their self-worth.

After moving to New England at age 8, Wilson witnessed a lot of racial tension and negativity in his environment. When at home, he was captivated by rappers like 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. and fell in love with hip-hop for its abilities to spread uplifting messages to the people. He also draws inspiration from fellow Haitian Wyclef Jean, especially since they grew up in the same neighborhood.

Similarly, Wilson started using his musical talents to spread positivity in his environment from a young age through doing Michael Jackson impressions for family members, singing in the church choir and later performing in talent shows. Wilson is gearing up to release his debut project, one that is poised to show off his versatility as an artist while displaying his honestly as a songwriter.

A believer of fairness and equality, Wilson creates imperfections in his songs on purpose to represent the imperfections in humanity; his aim is to let others know that it is okay to be imperfect and the importance of acknowledging the truth instead of hiding behind lies. Wilson is currently performing in New York and brainstorming philanthropic efforts to spread love to the world.

Visit Wilson Charles

iTunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/expectations-single/id1160450123

Soundcloud
https://soundcloud.com/wilsoncharless/expectations-wilson-charles

Twitter
https://twitter.com/wilson_charless

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/thewilsoncharles

Learn more about Wilson Charles in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you? Is there music playing in the background? If so, what is it? What music gets you instantly out of a bad mood? What is a song you are loving these days?

This interview finds me in my bed, just listening to beats for the next potential single with the TV on mute. Organized creative chaos is what I like to call it. In between, I’m also listening to one of my favorite albums at the moment 4:44 by Jay Z. Every song on that album is a mood – it’s just amazing from beginning to end.

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory? Was there a time where you thought of doing something completely different?

I always wanted to be a musician growing up as a kid. I remember like it was yesterday. I was watching Rachel on BET as a kid with my cousin and Tupac’s “Brenda’s Got A Baby” came on the screen. It changed my life forever. I knew who Brenda was. I grew up with Brenda. The feeling that Pac gave me watching that video…I wanted to give that feeling to others. I never really wanted to do anything else with my life honestly. Music is the only thing that I’ve ever loved and loved me back in return with no reservations.

Overall, how do you think 2017 has been for you and music career? What are you most excited about for in 2018? Do you think you will make any New Year’s Resolutions?

2017 has been pretty good to me. I finally recorded and released the video for my single “Expectations”. I know who I am musically and that’s important. I have a great manager and a great publicist, who has me excited for what’s in store. 2018 is going to bring a year of more music and more opportunities for the world to know Wilson Charles and I’m excited for that to happen. My New Year’s Resolution is to focus on being a better person to myself and better myself, so I can better help others.

I always like to ask artists about where they came from and how that city or town has influenced them as an artist now. So how do you think your hometown and current home has affected you and your music today?

I’m from Boston, Massachusetts. I was raised in Mattapan and Hyde Park  – two of the toughest cities in Boston. Went to Bethlehem Haitian Baptist Church every Sunday in Dorchester, a city which has one of the highest crime rates in Boston and spent my High School years at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School in Roxbury Mass, which was the home of the great Malcolm X. It made me a well-rounded human being and it also made my music taste vast. I listen to everything and I sing everything because Boston is a melting pot of different cultures, which make for different sounds.

What was the inspiration for your newest single “Expectations”? How is this song different than anything else you have put out before? How is it similar?

The inspiration behind “Expectations” was women. Through my conversations with women and just hearing them giving more than they ever receive when it comes to matters of the heart. You can’t expect someone to love you in the same capacity you love them when they are incapable of doing such a thing and they’ve shown that to you time and time again. Expectations is unlike any song I’ve ever done and I’ve been told I set the bar pretty high with that one

When do you hope to release more new music?

I hope to release more new music soon. The “Expectations” remix is coming soon as well as two new singles by the end of the month in December.

How do you think you have continued to grow as an artist year after year? What has remained the same?

My sound has evolved as an artist. I know who I am as an artist. In a very short period of time, I know what works for me and what doesn’t. I have a sound and I’m going to perfect that sound and the new music I have coming out in the month of December into the next year that will reflect that.

Do you have any final tour dates to wrap up 2017? Where can people see you play live next?

Unfortunately, no tour dates to wrap up this year. I had to sit back take some time to make sure the new singles get the love and attention they deserve.

What has a been favorite show of yours in the past? What do you think makes for an ideal performance for you?

My favorite show I recall doing was when I performed at a party for a stylist and the room was filled with all these acts from back in the day. The amount of talent in the building was crazy. I made sure they got on stage and I let my band rock out with the legends for the rest of the night. The ideal performance is people singing along and knowing the words to my song and being so moved by my performance.

What do you think of social media today and the importance of it for artists now? Do you find that it’s hard to keep up with it all?

Social media is important for an artist – it’s vital. It connects the artist to their fans and without the support of the fans as an artist, you will fail. It’s a lot to keep up with because you have so many platforms but when people see you through one of these platforms it makes them feel as if they’re there with you.

We are living in a crazy and at times rough world right now so I am curious how you think being a musician gives you the most joy in life today? How do you think that new music being created today is going to reflect these difficult times?

Music is my outlet through these rough times were living in. A lot is going on, but music really has the power to bring people together…it really does. I believe the music being made now will reflect those times the way James Brown, The Beatles, and many others sang the revolution to us through their music and their performances.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? What musicians would you absolutely still love to work in the future?

Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Tupac, Biggie, frank Sinatra, James Brown, Otis Redding, Amy Winehouse, Kanye West, Andre 3000, Wyclef Jean, Jay Z, Adele, John Legend, Beyonce, Rihanna, Frank Ocean, Sam Smith, DMX, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, JCole, Drake, Pharrell, Bruno Mars, Chance The Rapper, CeeLo Green, Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, Sam Cooke, Lauryn Hill and Kid Cudi to name a few. I would love to work with all of them. Technology has made that possible for the artist I mentioned that are no longer with us.

What do you hope your fans take away from your music? Do you think there is a greater music in your songs?

I hope fans take away from my music is honesty. A man who’s not fearful of being vulnerable and is capable of showing the emotional psyche of a man. There is a greater music in my songs always will be. I’ve always said that responsibility lies within the messenger but the true power lies with the receiver and how they perceive the said message.

What advice would you give to a young person who is thinking about becoming a musician one day?

My advice to any young individual who wants to become a musician one day. Soak up as much knowledge as you can and perfect the craft. If it doesn’t sound right or if it’s not perfect, don’t let anyone else tell you it is. It’s ok to say no to people and focus on your music goals. They’ll understand why you did that once you make it.

Would you like to share anything else about yourself or your music with our readers?

Fun fact – I used to hate my name growing up. People would always call me Charles or Wilson because I have to first/last names. It was either that or they would say Hey Mr. Wilson because of the show Dennis The Menace, but when Cast Away came out and Tom Hanks decided to name that volleyball Wilson…sigh…the pronunciation of my name hasn’t been normal ever since.