Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles Ellison.
Hi Charles, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started creating long before music became the focus. I’m from Detroit and raised in Ypsilanti, and for years I worked behind the scenes as a photographer and videographer. That experience taught me how to tell stories visually, how to frame emotion, and how to let moments breathe—skills that still shape how I create today.
I also took my craft seriously in school. I earned a certificate in Fine Arts and an Associate’s Degree in Digital Video Production, was on the Dean’s List, and became a member of Phi Theta Kappa. That education gave me structure and discipline, and it reinforced my belief that creativity and craftsmanship go hand in hand.
Over time, music stopped being about chasing a sound and became a lifeline. It turned into my pain medicine—the one place I could sit with everything I’d lost and turn it into something that gives hope instead of taking it away. Losing my younger brother and my father changed the way I hear the world and the way I create. Music became how I processed grief, faith, and survival.
Where I am now feels earned. After years of building quietly and independently, I’m no longer searching for my voice. I know who I am as an artist, and I’m finally ready to share work that comes from a truthful, grounded place.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. After coming home from the Army, I was trying to find myself again and figure out where I really belonged. I went to aeronautics school and trained to work on helicopter and airplane engines. I graduated and did what I was supposed to do, but I quickly realized I didn’t have a passion for it. That was a hard moment—understanding that just because you can do something doesn’t mean it’s what you’re meant to do.
Not long after that, one of the biggest challenges of my life came when I became a full-time father. After my son’s mother passed away, it was just me and him, and I was also in school working toward my degree. Balancing grief, parenting, and education at the same time wasn’t easy. I was fortunate to have a strong village around me—family and people who stepped up—but even with support, it was an uphill battle every day.
At the same time, I was learning how to move independently as an artist. I didn’t have industry backing or a big team, so I taught myself production, engineering, and how to see projects through from start to finish. That meant long nights, self-doubt, and a lot of trial and error.
Through all of it, I had to learn patience. In a world that rewards fast results, I chose to build slowly and honestly. Looking back, those challenges shaped me. They made me more disciplined, more intentional, and more grounded—not just as an artist, but as a man.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work lives at the intersection of music, storytelling, and discipline. At the core, I’m an artist and creator who specializes in emotionally honest, story-driven work. I’m known for being hands-on and intentional—writing, recording, producing, mixing, and mastering my own music while shaping the vision from start to finish.
Musically, I don’t limit myself to one genre. I create across R&B, Neo-soul, blues, country, hip-hop, and rap, and I play instruments as part of that process. I listen for feeling before category. Different stories call for different sounds, and I let emotion guide the direction instead of trends.
Beyond music, I’ve spent more than a decade working as a photographer and videographer, which shaped how I think visually and cinematically. I’m also an author developing a cinematic audiobook project, and I handle my own visuals to keep every story cohesive from sound to image. I’ve acted as well, with roles in films such as Money Over Boyz and Where She Creep, both available on Tubi, and Another Crazy Weekend, streaming on SDMFLIX.com. Acting has deepened my understanding of presence, pacing, and character—skills that directly influence how I build musical worlds.
My music doesn’t just stand alone; it also serves as the soundtrack to the creative universes I’m building. Projects like Diggy “The Storm” Walker—the cinematic audiobook and upcoming film—pull directly from my catalog and original compositions. I build stories sonically and visually at the same time, making every project feel connected and intentional.
That same approach lives fully in my upcoming holiday EP, December Glow, dropping December 12th on all major streaming platforms. The project reflects the full emotional reality of the season—not just the celebration, but the quiet moments, the reflection, the absence, and the hope that still finds its way through. December Glow is about finding warmth in the cold, light in heavy moments, and connection when things feel distant. It’s a deeply personal, fully self-produced body of work where my sound and storytelling truly come together.
What I’m most proud of is consistency and integrity. I’ve continued creating through life changes and responsibility without compromising the message. I don’t chase trends—I build worlds. I don’t just tell stories, I share them. I want people to close their eyes and feel like they’re there. Whether it’s through a song, a visual, or a character, my goal is to create work that’s immersive, relatable, and lasting—art that stays with you long after it ends. “I don’t just make music—I build worlds where lived experience, sound, and storytelling move together with intention.”
How do you think about luck?
I don’t really see my life in terms of luck. I see it in terms of God’s favor, timing, and alignment. There were moments that didn’t make sense at the time—doors that closed, delays that frustrated me, challenges that pushed me—but later on, I could see they were positioning me for something better.
If I’ve had any “luck,” it’s been in the people and support God placed around me. My village. The folks who helped me raise my son, who showed up when I couldn’t do everything alone, who encouraged me creatively when life felt heavy. That kind of support feels intentional, not accidental.
In my career, nothing has happened overnight. Everything I’ve built has come through consistency, faith, and staying focused even when I couldn’t see the outcome yet. So when opportunities show up now, I don’t see them as luck—I see them as alignment. Like God was preparing the moment long before I arrived at it.
Whether something felt like good luck or bad luck in the moment, it all ended up working together for my growth. Every setback taught me something I needed later. Every blessing reminded me to stay grateful. And every season pushed me closer to the artist and man I’m meant to be.
Pricing:
- At this stage, my focus is on accessibility and connection rather than fixed pricing. That said, here’s what’s most relevant for readers right now: Music Streaming: Available on all major platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Pandora, and other digital streaming services Digital Music Releases: Priced competitively through standard digital retailers Visual & Creative Services: Pricing varies based on project scope (photography, videography, creative direction) Live Performances & Collaborations: Custom pricing depending on the event or project For specific rates or inquiries, direct contact is always the best route.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ubcproductions.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quietstorm734/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/734QuietStorm
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@quietstorm734
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5yFYOBHXBmqwE8l4BVB30X?si=KfzP2gV3TR-3AYOQv7nwCQ
