BLKBOK

Charles Wilson III, known professionally as BLKBOK, is an American pianist and composer. His stage name is a stylization of "Black Bach".

Early years Born in Detroit, BLKBOK grew up on the city's west side and attended Ann Arbor Trail Middle School. He attended Cass Tech High School for two years and then attended the Detroit School of Arts.

Career After high school, BLKBOK moved to Florida where he attended Full Sail University. He also worked as a studio musician with Timbaland and played in the Cirque du Soleil production of Michael Jackson: One.

BLKBOK's second album, 9, was released in 2023. Its title is a reference to the Little Rock Nine. The album includes spoken-word contributions from Felicia Thomas. The work has been described as "a fresh spin on classical music" that "offers some lessons of hope and love for our troubled world".

He has composed and performed classical piano music about Michelle Obama, the murder of George Floyd, the Little Rock Nine, The Negro Motorist Green Book, and other aspects of black American history. He cites as his influences artists as varied as Mozart and Mos Def.