Charles Hamilton, fresh off his signing with Republic Records in February after his hiatus from hip-hop, has officially returned with "New York Raining" featuring Rita Ora. This is the 27-year-old's first major single since 2008's "Brooklyn Girls." The song is off Hamilton's forthcoming debut album and he will preform the single alongside Ora on the season finale of Fox's hit series Empire, airing March 18.

"New York Raining" is a piano-driven record that blends beautifully with Rita Ora's strong vocals. Fans will appreciate the song mainly because CH sounds good ("Love at first sight, but it was block by pain/so for you I'll exceed the top five in the game"). Charles Hamilton's comeback in hip-hop is great to see. He was spotted in the studio back in January. He released “Correct” soon after. The former XXL Freshman spoke about his hiatus from the music industry and revealed that he contemplated taking his own life.

“I wanted to commit career suicide, physical suicide, spiritual suicide — I didn’t care anymore,” said the “Brooklyn Girls” MC. “I didn’t leave my house, I just made music all the time. I was fighting depression — I shut myself in…I locked myself in my house with the lights out and a turntable turning with no record on it. I was depressed, paranoid and confused.”

Listen to "New York Raining" below.

Related: Charles Hamilton Confesses To Suicidal Thoughts
Charles Hamilton Signs With Republic Records
Listen to Charles Hamilton, ‘Correct’
Charles Hamilton is Back in the Studio

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