Marcus Charles Uses World-Building as a Means of Self-Discovery

Moments like watching MTV Playlist, Kanye West performing “Runaway” while donning a crimson red suit during the 2010 VMAs or just listening to R&B and neo-soul hits around the house pushed music to the forefront of Marcus Charles’ life. These experiences did not just cultivate a love for the craft, but a passion that would envelop his journey of self-discovery as both a person and an artist.

Like many who are passionate about creating music, the Rockland County, New York native has been finding the balance between uncovering his musical mission and growing into his identity. But what stands out about his efforts is the heightened focus on discovery as a whole – identifying what he naturally gravitates towards. That’s his vision of building both artistically and personally. “I’ve always looked at my exploration as a musician and my growth as a person as parallel paths,” Charles explained.

On paper, Charles characterizes himself as a hip-hop/rap artist, but solely using the two genres does not explain his full experience and perspective of sonic evolution. Yes, core elements of R&B, hip hop and neo-soul music pervade his sounds, as they were what he listened to growing up in a Black household. However, just as important is his inclusion of alternative musical stylings and his deep interest in science fiction: King Krule and Japanese pop artistry are just as important to him as favorites like Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar and Frank Ocean. With his coalescence of musical styles and interests, the now Los Angeles-based artist’s ultimate goal is to world-build.

“The most important thing to me is being receptive to ideas and to world build using them.”

“The most important thing to me is being receptive to ideas and to world build using them.” says Charles. “The freedom to have an idea and then realize it is what pushes me.”

Inside the world he’s building, you’ll find a retrofuturist atmosphere that harbors spiritual elements. Whether it be a brutalist building or a floating home, there’s a juxtaposition between the old, new, natural and man-made, and it translates in his music. Last year, he released a project titled HRG Trailer, which not only served as a precursor for his forthcoming album, Humans, Robots & Ghosts, but made a large step in pushing the creation of his world. It is in HRG Trailer that he began experimenting more with sci-fi textures, synths and sonic layering. As HRG Trailer served as an incubator of sorts, his next album represents the first that feels authentically him regarding direction, identity and ultimately crafting the music he wants to hear.

Spencer Muhlstock/Jeff Muhlstock

With the importance of Humans, Robots & Ghosts, its title symbolizes a literal and metaphorical discussion of the human experience, robotic feelings in the lack of free choice and the spiritual/cosmic teaching elements that surround them – i.e. the ghost. Even though it titles the next body of work, HRG is the essence of the world Charles’ is building at large – one that’s continually rooted in the discovery of the self and spaces we consume.

“I’m most excited about realizing this world of HRG,” Charles says.” It feels fulfilling to get closer and closer to that to establish this grand audiovisual idea. I can’t ask for anything more than to realize that for myself.”

“Whatever comes from that or whoever resonates with what I’m doing would be amazing.”