The Urban classics project was a collaboration between five Grime MC's (rappers) and the BBC concert orchestra conducted and curated by Charles.

'I see no reason why different musical disciplines can't come together to make something wholly new. I refuse to recognise boundaries between different genres of music. I don't like using the word 'fusion' because for me it suggests a bland, blending of genres whereas what excited me about this project and others I've been involved in, is finding the friction and the unexpected in the unlikely meeting of one musical style with another. And yes, I am wearing a tracksuit.'

Charles has collaborated with Spiritualised, Pulp, the Super Furry Animals and Will Gregory from Goldfrapp.