Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cody Charles. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Cody, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

Yes. I feel like because I cosplay in my music most people don’t understand it. There are those who first impression of me isn’t serious or some people even talk down or try to play me out.

A time this happened was my first time cosplaying during a performance everyone from the security at the door looked at me crazy like I was weird and out of my mind. When I got on stage a few recognized it and showed me love but once I performed everyone begin showing me love and respect.

Another time i dressed in another costume and I had a couple standing in my face pointing and laughing at me. I addressed them and the male laughed saying I’m tryna figure out what the hell you supposed to be or who you think you are. I told him just wait and see what I do on stage. After I performed he took back what he said and wanted to shake my hand.

What I took from those were people not always gonna get it at first and new/different things make people uncomfortable but just stay the course they’ll either come around or there is plenty of other people out there that will appreciate it.

I also get critized for not having more concussion lyrics or rhymes grounded in true feelings/emotion. I feel people think I’m incapable of doing so which isn’t the case. I just enjoy making feel good/sensual music or fun party music. Life is hard enough and we all have our stresses me personally I don’t want to hear music that reminds me of them so I don’t music about it. I wanna give people something that brightens their day or mood

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I go by the stage name C&C The #1 Thirst Quencher from Newark,NJ I’m 33 so that means I’m an official 90s baby. My music journey started at 8 years old playing the clarinet. I took private lessons along with playing for Shabazz High School band. I played in the band for 2 years and continued to play clarinet for 3 more years. Around the age of 14 I started getting more into rap music and discovering artist I liked. I started freestyle with friends and found enjoyment in it and after a while I started getting good and decided to start writing.

In highschool I met some of my best friends and we had similar interest in everything even music. We had classes together although highschool and we would spend that time writing rhymes and flowing together and eventually came up with the group name 4 Star Generals (4SG) because it was 4 of us. I made music with them up until college where I would drop out and decide to join the military in 2012. I felt like school wasn’t working and joining the military would be a great stepping stone allowing me to support and chase my dreams.

From 2012-2019 I served in the Navy active duty in Virginia. That gave me the chance to meet and rap with people from all over developing my style and technique. I already had a love for the south’s style of rap mainly, Texas but being in the military most of my homies I rapped with were from Texas so I found more love and influence.

2019 I came home from active duty and went reserves and COVID hit. I recorded new music found more confidence and was really ready to take a shot on myself but the world shut down. I spent this time working for the post office and there I found another friend with interest in music. We would spend our whole work day just rapping and this is where I feel like I begin hitting a new level as far as my bars.

My cosplaying love come from being a big anime and comic book nerd. These characters I grew up with I feel like taught me a lot of great life lessons or help me with things I can relate so I wanted to be like them in some kinda of way. I always was into the idea of double identity being able to turn on and off my music persona. You get Thirst Quencher the entertainer and then you get Cody/C&C when I’m just being me and chilling.

As a brand I wanna promote my music and my clothing designs. I wanna promote the idea of being original and creative. Follow your heart and be true to yourself. Positive vibe

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part is coming up with an idea and bringing it to life. Then being able to share it with the world seeing and feeling the reactions feel amazing. It’s like being a parent watching your child do something amazing and be successful.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

As a society I feel like there needs to be more support for local and home grown talent before they blow up. I feel like people hometowns don’t get behind them until somewhere else accepts them. I feel like elevating your own home grown talent creates more opportunities and shine a brighter light for us up and coming indie artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/Thirst_Quencher
• Instagram: @have_a_sip
• Youtube: 1thirstquencher