Blaqstarr

Charles Jamal Smith, known as Blaqstarr, is a Baltimore club producer, DJ, and singer who became a key collaborator with M.I.A. — co-writing and co-producing multiple tracks on her 2010 album Maya, including the single "XXXO," after earlier work on Kala. He helped shape the late-2000s crossover moment between Baltimore club and international pop, with releases and ties through Diplo's Mad Decent.