We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Charles Smallwood a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Charles, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I would say the most meaningful project(s) are my next two Albums. I’ve already recorded all of one and the majority of the second. The first project is named Tha Madd King and the second is entitled Chuck tha Ruler. These projects were created during one of the hardest times in my life, which I am still going through. Tha Madd King was recorded during the last few months of my marriage as I was preparing for divorce. I was in a tough spot because I had no say in the divorce and I needed a way to channel my feelings. I created a persona and dove in head first. I had finally found the voice I wanted as a recording artist. I wrote and recorded the entire album myself. The instrumentals were crafted by me and my business partner and can be found at CharmCityBeats.com. Tha Madd King serves as the introduction to the Chuck Tha Ruler persona and will be the first album featured on the upcoming CharmCityMusic.com site. The self titled album that follows was recorded partially on the last two weeks in the home that I shared with my now ex-wife and kids. while the first album has themes of overcoming and perseverance, the Chuck Tha Ruler album begins in a much darker place. It deals heavily with anger and betrayal. The last remaining songs will show my growth from the experience. These albums are vital to me because they helped me find my identity again and because they are the start of a list of projects that we intend to release within the upcoming year. I am blessed to have writing and music production as a better way to express myself.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Charles Smallwood. My music producer name is ReignMuzC and my recording artist persona is Chuck Tha Ruler. I was always obsessed with music but when I turned 16 I started writing raps and poetry. By the time I turned 18 I wanted to start recording music, but buying beats, and booking studio time was expensive so I started teaching myself both. Eventually, I found my confidence as a music producer and sound engineer. I now own a music production/publishing company with a friend of mine and it is known as Charm City Beats, LLC. As an artist I know how expensive it is to be creative and I hope to chip away at someone those expenses so artists can worry about creativity and present their best works. We provide the following services:
Beat composition, Recording, Mixing & Mastering, ghostwriting, and now Publishing.

Our website Charmcitybeats.com gives artists and other clients the ability to lease music for a much lower cost than most production companies. We can work in person or digitally with any client and have a wide range of urban music. Our sound is unique to our brand, which means a song or beat from us will standout . We specialize in making music memorable.

We are just about to launch our Charmcitymusic.com site which will be the hub for some of the newest and hungriest artist in the Baltimore/DC area. This site will allow artists to recoup higher percentages in sales as they are our priority. And because we offer a wide range of the creative process we can meet the artist where they’re at, whether that be at the beginning stages or someone just in need of a cost effect place to drop their newest project.

Our slogan at Charm City Beats LLC is “WE Got You,” and we stand by that every step of the way.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

My most rewarding aspect of the creative process is the reactions. I love bringing an artist into the studio and watching their face when the beat drops! Artists typically cannot control themselves when a song or a beat speaks to them. And its amazing to take that work and show it to non artists. I’ve been blessed to bring people to tears before because they felt what I felt when I made a song. And knowing that a person is consistently playing your music over and over just sits right with my soul. Providing a space for others to feel and enjoy what I use to find my peace is an indescribable joy.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My Goal is for Charm City Beats to be the official sound of the east coast. I want our music on albums, commercials, movies and TV. I want us everywhere!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://charmcitybeats.com
• Instagram: @charmcitybeats
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Charmcitybeats
• Other: Charmcitymusic.com(coming soon)

Image Credits

Drew Stephens
Fidel Avila