Washington DC native, Chuck da Arsonist (aka Charles Taylor) is a pioneer of the burgeoning Hip-Hop scene in the DMV area (DC, Maryland, Virginia). He has been making a name for himself in the region since he was just a kid.
Thanks to his mother’s love of R&B music, Chuck grew up listening to artists like Stephanie Mills, Mickie Howard, Howard Hewitt, Luther Vandross, and Lionel Richie. Then he heard Eric B. & Rakim’s classic “I Ain’t No Joke.” From that point forward he was hooked on Hip-hop. By the time he was nine years-old he was already performing live and winning talent shows. By sixteen, he was making a name for himself in his local scene.
“Freedom” is Chuck da Arsonist’s brand new single and it is as relevant as this morning’s headlines. The song is a call to action and a demand for justice. With the skills, the flow and the social awareness of his 1990’s Hip-hop heroes, Taylor rails against police brutality and racial injustice. The song is a real-life #BlackLivesMatter anthem from the streets of DC.
The beat is built on a classic R&B funk groove. Old-school Hip-hop rhythms are matched with a real-deal funky bass line, horns and some slick B3 organ and jazzy electric piano. The call-back to the 60’s adds an authentic groove to the track. However, it also serves a poignant editorial function. Over fifty years later, black artists are still singing the same song and facing the same racist realities. That sad truth is what this song is all about.
Music is all that I know! This is what I live, sleep, eat, breathe. There is no one person that can live their life without music because it’s universal. This is what keeps me being a voice to the people. We are all going through the same struggle one way or another.
Chuck Da Arsonist
Check out “Freedom” on the Deep Indie Beat playlist. And follow the links below to connect with Chuck da Arsonist. Stay in the loop on all of his current and future projects.