Welcome to AP&R, the place we spotlight rising artists who will quickly turn out to be your new favourite.
Scarborough, the easternmost district of Toronto, has lengthy been a breeding floor for distinctive expertise and world class entertainers. Outstanding figures equivalent to Fefe Dobson and the Weeknd have come out of Scarborough, and now there’s one other compelling, new act popping out of the world: R&B artist Chxrry22. With a life-long ardour for singing, Chxrry22’s humble beginnings began on social media, the place she gained a following by performing an array of widespread songs in her distinct, dreamy and opulent vocal model. Ultimately, she caught the eye of hometown hero the Weeknd, who promptly signed the artist to his highly-curated XO report label.
Learn extra: Evaluate: On SOS, SZA ditches her “unhappy lady” identification for being a twenty first century rap rock star
This previous September, Chxrry22 unveiled her debut EP, The Different Aspect, a seven-track assortment of minimal, downtempo beats with a hazy and atmospheric high quality that serves as the proper backdrop for her voice to shine. Lyrically, the undertaking is an intimate expertise that touches on themes of empowerment and making peace with the previous. And now that The Different Aspect has been unleashed into the world, Chxrry22 has made it abundantly clear that she is simply getting began. We spoke to her in regards to the new EP, exploring confidence by way of her music, what’s subsequent, and extra. —Alessandro DeCaro
How are you feeling after signing to XO Data?
I really feel very excited. It got here as a shock to me as a result of Abel [Tesfaye of the Weeknd] and I grew up on the identical road and we’re from the identical background. I really feel like lots of people manifested it for me for a very long time once I began doing music and I began taking it severely as a profession. Lots of people got here as much as me they usually have been like, ‘I guess you he’ll signal you,’ or, ‘I believe you guys are going to work collectively,’ and that at all times felt very far-fetched. So when it occurred, it was very thrilling. Up to now it is simply been actually good — actually, actually good.
Up to now, how has your expertise within the music business met or defied your expectations?
I believe you hear loads of dangerous issues in regards to the music business earlier than you enter it. It is like another business. It is simply regular folks. It has highs and it has its lows. Up to now, I’ve had a reasonably good expertise. I’ve labored with loads of superb folks and I’ve met loads of superb folks. Clearly, I’ve had my moments. However total, I believe it has been very gratifying. I’ve discovered that while you truly accomplish issues, you are feeling excellent.
You’ve gotten a few singles out thus far, “Name Me” and “The Falls,” and each of the music movies for them are tremendous evocative and crowd pleasing. Do you could have any plans to do extra visuals sooner or later?
We now have an EP popping out with seven songs, so there aren’t any extra singles, however we do have extra visible content material items. There’s extra content material to do with the undertaking, however there will not be any extra precise music movies.
Are these like the identical video-collage type of vibe because the earlier visuals?
So with “Name Me,” it truly was a photograph shoot. Our supervisor Steph was like, ‘You must simply shoot a music video.’ So, we began recording. We went to a karaoke bar, she did my make-up. So, that was extra life-style. I believe transferring ahead, sure, I’ll do extra lifestyle-type movies, however I [want to] hold issues fascinating and do [both] high-production movies and in addition life. It is actually no matter I am feeling on the time.
A variety of your releases are about being assured, but in addition being actual and unafraid to indicate the much less polished sides of who you might be. How do you reconcile these two issues and really feel snug placing that out?
I am an artist, so I am very outspoken and really open about who I’m. I’ve at all times been that approach, which is why I believe music got here so naturally to me and being an artist has been so seamless. For me, I’m very trustworthy, so it hasn’t been laborious to precise myself. I believe no matter I do, I at all times need it to be the trustworthy fact from me — like from all the things from my music to my visuals. I would like it to be very me, very trustworthy, and weak. I believe as you take heed to the tasks, you may discover they get increasingly weak.
Are you happy with the way you outlined your sound on this primary undertaking?
I believe with this undertaking, it has its personal sound. That was what I used to be going for. I did not need to do something too loopy. I did not need to go too huge. I wished it to really feel like me, however nonetheless push the envelope in a approach. I am excited for my future undertaking as a result of I’m extra excited to indicate totally different sides of myself musically.
Who’re a few of your influences in music, trend, and artwork generally?
I’ve to say Rihanna. Down from model to at all times being so daring and making an attempt totally different genres, making an attempt totally different types — she’s the queen of that. Rising up, listening to her, I used to be at all times like, ‘I’ll strive various things’. I additionally should say Madonna as a result of that is my queen. I believe how trustworthy and detailed she is in her writing and her storytelling, that is at all times been actually inspiring to me. I’ve tried to undertake that model of writing. I’d say a more recent one might be Kacey Musgraves. I like her music and the way trustworthy and weak she is.
What can we count on out of your debut undertaking?
A variety of toxicity, but in addition loads of trustworthy conversations that I do not suppose many individuals are having proper now. There are songs about being alone and the way vital it’s to be alone. We’re in an age the place relationship is at an all time excessive and nobody actually will get time to simply be alone and face all of the issues that they are going by way of. I believe it’s a great physique of labor with loads of selection, totally different subjects, totally different sounds, and one thing you possibly can take heed to on repeat. Virtually anybody can discover one thing that they’ll relate to.
Are there any developments which can be protruding to you proper now which have caught out to you both in music or trend?
With music, I like how persons are changing into extra experimental with manufacturing. For some time, it was very sluggish — which I am responsible of as nicely, as a result of my entire undertaking is fairly sluggish. However I like how we’ve got folks like Rosalía, who could be very different and the sounds she chooses are actually cool. So, [I’m really into] the pattern of making an attempt to push the envelope and making an attempt totally different types. I do this fashion-wise. [In terms of fashion, I also] like that girls are dressing extra androgynous and dishevelled.
You spoke just a little bit earlier than about desirous to department out sooner or later. Do you could have any particular targets in thoughts or locations that you just suppose you need to take your sound?
My god, all over the place. I actually need to have a world attraction. I need to make music for everyone of all races and all cultures. I’d love to start out a trend line finally. I’d like to do extra performing. These are my huge targets.
What do you hope folks take away out of your music?
I hope that individuals really feel like they’ve a pal in me. I hope that when folks hear my music, they really feel extra assured of their choices and proudly owning their very own choices. I believe loads of instances we do issues after which really feel very embarrassed or shameful, or like a nasty particular person. That is all part of life — making errors, making choices, and proudly owning it by being like, ‘Okay, it occurred. I could make a tune about it, I could make a joke out of it, or cope with it or transfer on.’ Particularly with ladies, it is proudly owning who you might be and never being afraid or feeling like lower than due to your choices. I hope once they hear my music — as a result of I am so sure and so accepting of what I’ve finished — I hope they’ll really feel as accepting of what they’ve finished and are in a position to make mild of it.
Do you could have any extra huge plans for 2023?
I need to drop one other undertaking, hopefully do extra interviews, and have the ability to put myself on the market extra. I’d actually wish to let folks get to know me higher and develop the fanbase.
