*35. Charles Hamilton “Brooklyn Girls,” Crash Landed (2008)
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The Charles Hamilton comeback story almost never happened. Hamilton, the former XXL Freshman, had a long sit-down with Billboard 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" rapper. "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."

Fortunately, the talented MC, who is now 27, is healthy and back in the booth. Linked up with Turn First Artists, whose roster boasts Iggy Azalea, Ellie Goulding and Rita Ora, the rapper has signed a deal with Republic Records and is getting his career and life back together. After threatening to jump off Macomb's Dam Bridge in Harlem in 2010, Hamilton's mother had him institutionalized against his will in various New York-area hospitals. Following a series of unfortunate events when he was released from the hospital, including an incident in Cleveland where he punched a police officer, Hamilton's life went into a tailspin until he landed with Turn First. Now the rapper is working on his health and his music.

Hamilton will appear on the season finale of Fox's show Empire to perform "New York Raining," his new single with Rita Ora. For the full Billboard story, click here.

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