Introducing Colby’s very own musical star…. ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Fabrice Charles! Read more to find out about his life on and off campus, as well as his musical talents and aspirations.
Where are you from?
I’m from Brooklyn, NY. Born and raised. Anyone who knows me personally knows that Brooklyn will always be my home whether I live there or not.
Why did you choose to come to Colby? What would you say is your favorite part about Colby?
I chose Colby after making it to the final round of the Posse Program; Colby was actually my first choice out of three other schools. I was impressed by Colby’s reputation and also thought Maine would be a nice change of scenery from the city life. My favorite part about Colby is the fact that most people seem friendly. You won’t get the daily “good morning’s” and “how are you’s” where I’m from so it’s always nice to get them out here.
What are you majoring or minoring in?
I am an Economics major with a minor in Administrative Science. Ask me why, I couldn’t tell you.
Do you have any future plans or aspirations for life after college?
I hope to pursue music with my two brothers full-time after I graduate. Colby has provided me with the resources that I need to succeed as a businessman if I choose to, but my main focus is getting our music out to the public.
What other programs, clubs, or activities are you involved in on and off campus?
I am a Posse Scholar, Co-President of Gentlemen of Quality, Treasurer of the Men of Color Alliance (M.O.C.A.), member of the SOBHU community, substitute Phonathon Assistant. I don’t know if this counts as an activity but I’m a barber too. So if you’re ever in need of a cut, I can handle that for you.
What is your favorite thing to do on campus during your spare time?
My favorite thing to do in my spare time is nap. I know it sounds boring but it’s essential for me to be me. If I don’t sleep, I’ll have a bad time. And if I have a bad time, people around me will have a bad time. That’s not a good look so I try to stay on top of that. But if I’m not napping, I am either exercising (I am big fan of fitness), playing NBA 2K (an and everyone will get spanked if he/she played against me), or writing new music (I have to stay sharp).
How and when did you get into rapping? Where do you get inspiration for your songs?
I became interested in rapping at 7 years old. I have older siblings and cousins who put me onto great music as a kid; eventually, I started writing myself. Writing soon became performing for my siblings, then battling at school when I thought I was old enough to be taken seriously. I recorded my first song at age 15, voice
cracking and everything. It took time to hone my skills and I am glad I chose to be patient. Inspiration for Royal Clutch’s music comes from directly from our
personal lives. We discuss situations we’ve experienced before or are currently experiencing. We also detail the experiences of others close to us but it all depends on what beat Jase produces and the vibe we get from it.
In what ways do you hope to further your rapping career?
The guys and I are looking to release more videos consistently, perform in more areas and do more interviews. We want to see ourselves at the pinnacle of Hip-Hop in a few years, realistically. Our manager, Jimmy, has some things lined up for us in the near future. I won’t say too much about that because I don’t want to jinx anything. The guys and I also have more ideas that we are finalizing too. At this point, we all just need to sit down and discuss our plan of attack because the pieces are all there.
Who’s your favorite musical artist?
That’s hard to say because I listen to a lot of genres of music. Also, I go through month-long periods where I only listen to one artist’s entire discography. I’m not conscious of it, it just happens. I’d say my favorite artist growing up now was Jay-Z but now I’m really into Tupac. I think he was everything I want to be as an artist, activist and public figure; a person who isn’t afraid to speak his mind whether it is good or bad.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am a pretty lazy/chill person. I enjoy doing nothing and going with the flow. Sometimes I think people at Colby don’t get to see that side of me when I’m in work/study mode.
Do you have any advice for underclassmen or fellow classmates and students?
Always make time for yourself. Even if it is an hour, set a time slot where you do whatever it is you like to do and stick to it. I promise you, you’ll be a happier person because of it.