Is it something about Maryland? I mean, take the entire east coast of the United States and the fact that when it comes to the black community, hip-hop and R&B call the shots everywhere. Everywhere, that is, except for Baltimore and Washington, D.C. In the nation’s capital, the homegrown live music form known as go-go still reigns, it’s hold over the city’s Friday nights still strong as ever. Baltimore, less that an hour north, also marches to the sound of its own drummer; Baltimore club. This local scene depends on a mix of call-and-response DJ’s, up-tempo beats, catchy lyrics, and anything else that will get asses moving on the dance floor.  While crossover success has been attempted before, the music is defiantly regional, sustained by a fierce local following that puts it’s money where it’s dancing shoes are.

Enter Diplo, a man both celebrated and reviled for his co-opting of everything from baile funk and Jamaican dancehall to New Orleans bounce music. Who better to stumble onto one of Baltimore’s best kept secrets but Charles Smith, a young producer better known as Blaqstarr. In 2005, his local hit “Tote It” led Diplo to introduce him to M.I.A., who had come to Baltimore seeking to add his sound to her next record.  Smith hasn’t looked back since, collaborating with M.I.A. and Diplo,  touring relentlessly, putting out two EP’s in 2007 that he followed up with an LP in 2008, and he is still going with a new EP, The Divine. COOL’EH got the opportunity to pick his brain about the new record, and specifically, his first single, “Rider Girl,” which is itself a second remix of another hit record by the same name.

What made you decide to remix “Rider Girl?” Was it something you knew you were going to do in the beginning, or something the label asked for?

Both of the “Rider Girl” remixes I made came to me organically at different times in the studio. I let the divine inspiration flow through me and these beautiful new experiences came out.

Walk me through the process of actually creating those songs, what elements do you start with and how do you know when they're done?

I start with love and take it all the way through, all the way up.

What piece of production equipment could you not live without…and what would you most like to have?

Open to everything and attached to nothing, so any equipment I use to produce is a blessing. The MPC has been one of my longest-standing blessings for production, but I can’t say I think in terms of desiring more or different equipment. I desire a connection with my higher self and let it all flow from there.

What sort of connection with your higher self? Do you mean trying to feel the music more than think it?

My higher self knows that the only limitations in this world are those we self impose, so I open myself fully to the messages the Universe is sending me and enter into the natural flow of the Universe and God, absorbing all of the positive energies that exist within the Divine. In this state, the sounds flow like water through me and take on the form of the boundless sonic experiences I share with you and all.

Why do an EP right now, instead of a full length?

It’s all about evolution, onward and upward, breath to breath, experience to experience. I released The Divine EP in January and it is currently available on iTunes. My mixtape, called Blaqstarr-The Mixtape,is coming out as a free download from blaqstarrmusic.com on April 12, 2011, and I will be sharing my first album experience with the world this summer.

You obviously have a very spiritual approach to your studio work, from what you are saying. How does this translate on a practical level?

I consider myself a vessel, and I am always absorbing cosmic vibrations that come out as music.

Your answers about making music are intriguing, so give me some insight into your process, and how "organic" and "divine inspiration" power your art.

I am always on my divine mission, following my path to my higher self. Evolving the sonic experience. I believe to see, and what I believe is manifest in the music. There is no limit to where I receive the different inspirations for my work, to put into my work. They say that evolution happens every second of every day, and everything is moving onward and upward.  My creative process is evolutionary, and I stay on my path to my higher self and continue to evolve in that direction. I am always transporting vibrations to the universe, from the universe, through me, and I am in a constant state of openness to everything in music. I've always approached music as boundless and let the sound guide me, avoiding attachment to any one aspect of sound or musical style.

Tell me about this new mixtape.

This mixtape that I got coming out April 12th, Blaqstarr-The Mixtape, is going to give the world an example of the power that I'm coming with for the album this summer that I'm sharing with you all. To name a few of the features on the mixtape: M.I.A., Diplo, Steve Aoki, Lil Wayne, Shanell. This is the next step of the divine mission, the next step on the ultimate path to enlightenment.

Who are you listening to these days, what music is staying in rotation for you lately. Old or new.

I've been in studio mode for a long time, so I've been listening to the music of creation!