Parlé: How did you develop your style, mixing singing and rapping, and was it always positively received?
Chalie Boy: I’ve been singing all my life. When I did the rapping, the first track I got on was Nelly’s “Country Grammar,” back in 2000. That beat wasn’t a regular rap record, but my sound just came out, and it happened to have a tune to it. When that mixtape came out, that’s when I was like, maybe I could keep doin’ this.
Parlé: Which do you enjoy more, if at all, over the other?
Chalie Boy: Both, like I said, I’ve been singing forever. Singing just feels real good if you express yourself, when you’re at the house by yourself humming. But when you working its normal. I’ll rap a verse, if it dont feel good, then ill try singing it and vice versa. I critique it differently depending on how it comes out.
Parlé: If you could put your style into one word, what would you call it?
Chalie Boy: Different, just different, not the norm right now, best way to describe it.
Parlé: Hobbies other than music?
Chalie Boy: Relax wit Fam, get around the neighborhood. Barbecues and playin’ dominoes, playin’ games with family, just havin’ a good time. Matter fact me and my publicist might try to check out Avatar tonight.
Parlé: I can dig it! So what’s the upsides and downsides to the game/industry so far?
Chalie Boy: Upsides, is bein in the public eye. People are more recognizable with your name and music. The downsides are being in the public eye. Everything you do gets scrutinized, anyone could take ya picture, and just understanding media can make or break you.
Parlé: Who would you like to work with? Is there’s anyone you look up to or like?
Chalie Boy: T.I., Busta. I got to work with Bun B. I wish I could’ve worked with Pimp C, he was a real good dude, a kind fellow to me. Um, Rihanna, Drake. Wayne, of course!
Parlé: Any Texas artists you’d like to work with?
Chalie Boy: I’ve worked with a lot of them on mixtapes, for the most part. No disrespect to them at all by not callin their names, but we’ve worked around each other and can always work together.
Parlé: How does your song and subject matter come about? And do you have a favorite subject matter to talk about?
Chalie Boy: Nah, I don’t have a favorite subject matter. Just depends on the vibe of the day, whatever comes out. I don’t need a beat to work on a song or topic. The thought process depends on the time. Maybe later I’ll do one on interviews (laughs).
Parlé: What has been the Female’s reaction to your music?
Chalie Boy: Females are the main background to my fanbase, and a lot of artists as well. Females are more receptive to my type of music. You see this for the most part where guys bump a mixtape, and women bump the slow jams down the street. Guys don’t normally bump the slow jams, but they will ’cause females like it.
Parlé: What do you hope to accomplish while in the game, career-wise and personally?
Chalie Boy: Prosperity and longevity. This is my career, and in my career I want to be financially stable. I started ten years ago, got in the door, and I want to run for 10-20 more. It’s like a nine-to-five and I want to see it pay off.
Parlé: What’s the next couple of moves gonna be?
Chalie Boy: Continuing to work on music, and material. Do a little less on mixtapes and more original work, as well as stayin on top of what music is out, and doing collaborations with whoever wants to work. People can get in contact with me through my manager Bryan, who can be reached at 512.731.5842. I can be reached at MySpace.com/chalieboy, and twitter.com/D3CHALIEBOY. That’s pretty much it.
Parlé: Thanks a lot and good luck.
Chalie Boy: No problem man.
images by Chevon McIntyre
Also check out:
The West Coast’s own Nipsey Hussle “Who’s Next?” feature
Barbados’ own Jaicko “Who’s Next?” feature
