Have you ever heard a song that was way too relatable to life? Maybe one that instantly boosts your mood or makes you forget the negativity? A song that makes you want to go back to being that b—-t? For me, the soundtrack to my life is most likely written by Toronto-born songstress Chxrry22. On a chill Thursday at the office, I had the chance to meet the woman responsible for making me feel like I’ll get what’s mine from anyone who’s wronged me, but ultimately get over what’s not that serious and prepare for the life I’m living right now. The first lady of XO Records revealed the influences and experiences that have shaped her unique sound. Today, she’s further solidified her rising star status with the debut of her brand new single, “Just Like Me.”
“It’s been an amazing journey so far,” she reflects, with this latest release marking another exciting chapter.
Before there was Chxrry22, there was Lydia. While she admits the two are essentially the same person, Chxrry22 acknowledges the added responsibilities and “adulting” that come with her rising career. Music has always been a form of communication for her, stemming from her childhood when singing was a primary way to connect with her parents. “My parents were in a choir, so growing up, if you look back at all my home videos, it was just always singing,” she recalls. “My parents didn’t speak English fluently either, so that was kind of like our way of communicating—through music.” Early musical memories include Michael Bublé, Usher, Mariah Carey’s Emancipation of Mimi (which was the first CD she bought), but it was Keyshia Cole who truly ignited her passion for R&B. Captivated by the raw emotion and expressive freedom of the genre, she says it’s a stark contrast to the structured nature of pop music. “I’d never heard someone sound so sad in a song,” she says of discovering Cole’s music. “It made me feel a lot, and I was like okay, that’s why I love R&B—because it’s so emotional, and you can really take it there and go crazy.”
The moniker “Chxrry22” became a reality after a viral Instagram video led to a record deal. However, she emphasizes that truly feeling like “Chxrry22” is a daily process, solidified by the recognition and appreciation of her fans. “Everything became like, ‘oh my God, I’m Chxrry now,’” she says of her signing. “I think it’s a daily thing. Every day, I feel more and more like Chxrry, and I feel more and more like an artist.” Her debut single, “The Falls,” was a deeply personal track, written from a real-life experience. Ironically, this authentic and vulnerable song, created independently after a period of creative frustration, became her breakout hit. “I was like, I’m gonna say the wildest thing that’s happened to me in the last three years,” she remembers. “Then I recorded it, I got a guy to come play guitar over it and produce it, and we put it out, but I didn’t think people would like it so much.” Chxrry22’s experience underscores the importance of artistic freedom and the power of genuine storytelling in music. “That was the one that was like the truest to me, that I wrote by myself, and people loved,” she reflects.
Chxrry22 is carving out a distinct space for herself in R&B with a sound that’s been described as sexy, sultry, and dark. She credits her Toronto upbringing, with its long, somber winters, as a major influence on her moody aesthetic. “Being from Toronto, we experience nine months of snow, and winter’s dark. It’s moody, it’s not bubbly,” she explains. “I didn’t grow up in a super sunny, loving, happy place. I grew up in a very solemn, somber place, so the music naturally reflected that.” Her debut EP, The Other Side, was a product of resourcefulness and raw creativity, reflecting her life in Atlanta at the time. “We didn’t have money,” she laughs. “The creative was just kind of my real life at that time.” From filming visualizers with a borrowed camera to using live performance footage for the cover art, the project embodied her DIY spirit. Becoming the first lady of XO Records was a “no-brainer” for Chxrry22. She valued the deep connection and mutual understanding she felt with the label, prioritizing it over other offers. “When they reached out and said they wanted to do it for me, it was a no-brainer,” she says. “For me, it’s like finding somebody you relate with on such a deep level in any industry. It’s so hard.”
Being signed to XO, the label founded by The Weeknd, also resonates with her, given their shared cultural background and the influence of his earlier work on the genre. “Most artists actually got it from him,” she says of The Weeknd’s impact. “We didn’t have a girl doing it, and when I started and when we made the EP, I was also so depressed. I was really depressed when I made The Other Side.” She’s not afraid to be vulnerable, expressing her feelings and experiences with confidence—even the “toxic” ones. This boldness is what she aims to represent in her music. “I think my bit is like confidence,” she asserts. “I have the confidence to say the most toxic s–t I’ve done. I have the confidence to say, like, whatever it is I’m feeling that day, I’m gonna say it.”
With her recent project, Siren, the single “Poppin Out (Mistakes),” and now “Just Like Me,” Chxrry22 continues to evolve, pushing her creative boundaries and solidifying her unique sound. “Siren was like, okay, I’m here. I’m really that girl,” she states. “But I think I wasn’t as experimental as I am now. When you hear music like ‘Poppin Out’ and my newer songs, it’s a lot more experimental. I feel like I finally found my sound.” She feels she’s finally found her footing, creating music that is distinctly her own. “I think my upcoming album is a standalone, and it’s going to be its own thing,” she predicts. Her style, which she describes as “messy” and influenced by vintage fashion, complements her music perfectly. “My big thing is vintage,” she confirms. She values comfort and individuality, creating a distinct visual identity with the help of her stylist and creative director. “She’s helping me with creative and the overall album, building the Chxrry22 world,” she explains.
Looking ahead, Chxrry22 has exciting plans. Fresh off The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour, fans can expect even more new music, including a remix of “Poppin Out” and her highly anticipated album. Recently, she showcased her talent at the World Africa Festival and also took time to give back to the community by visiting a local orphanage. She debuted her new hit single “Just Like Me,” now streaming. Chxrry22 is undoubtedly an artist on the rise, and her unique blend of vulnerability, confidence, captivating sound, and brand-new hit single is poised to redefine the landscape of R&B.