New York’s Ché is a dynamic artist whose versatile sound spans genre influences, with an ability to sound at home on both warm, soulful sounds and those noisier and harsh. Inspired by his diverse upbringing across the borough of Brooklyn, he’s an artist committed to staying true to his creative impulses while willingly exploring new territory with each release. Since his 2023 self-titled debut album CHÉ, we’ve been impressed by his sharp songwriting, ability to craft poignantly personal lyrics, and outside-the-box, creative approach. He has been continuing his trajectory with two recent singles, “JUDY” and “YUKON GOLD”, which both take on lives of their own with their character-rich sound- with “JUDY” displaying a vibrant, R&B-influenced style and “YUKON GOLD”‘s brash, raw lyricism presenting an enticing energy. At Roundhouse Music, we sat down with Ché to talk about his beginnings in music, recent tracks “JUDY” and “YUKON GOLD”, his independent label GLTTR Records, and more.
Roundhouse Music: Growing up, what initially inspired you to begin creating music?
Ché: My love for creative writing and poetry birthed my passion for songwriting and music. Initially (and still now) I wanted to be an author. Once I was introduced to the Harlem Renaissance back in middle school,and discovering rappers like Kendrick and Childish Gambino. A whole new dimension opened up to me in terms of what words can do.
Roundhouse Music: Where did you grow up in New York and how did being around the arts and music scene in NYC influence you as an artist?
Ché: I grew up all over Brooklyn. I started off in Park Slope for my childhood, then in sophomore year of high school we moved to Flatbush. Each of these areas was filled with so many different types of personalities and mini groups/scenes that I gained this super wide lens perspective on life. From hanging out with the private school kids. To playing basketball with kids from the hood. All of these friends that I had allowed me to tap into a bunch of different subcultures. It deepend my artistic reference pool.
Roundhouse Music: Your sound feels very versatile and genre-bending- which genres do you draw from most when creating music?
Ché: I’d say it changes depending on the space I’m in. But most consistently I draw from early to mid 2010s hip hop, 70s soul, and latin jazz. However recently, the music I’ve been workshopping has had a heavy 80s/90s punk influence. So it really depends on where I’m at in life and where I feel I need to go next.
Roundhouse Music: What’s your songwriting process like approaching a new track?
Ché: Typically I like to write at home when I’m alone. Since my music can get pretty personal, I don’t think I can produce the most honest work, when I’m around people. I have done it with success, but I think the best Ché comes from when I’m home alone and get to pace around and talk to myself. Most of my songs come from me just talking to myself and a phrase I said will stick out. That’ll be the launching pad for the rest of the track.
Roundhouse Music: How important is it to you to keep trying new things and staying creative as an artist? I feel like you’re not an artist who can be limited to one box.
Ché: I think it’s imperative. I’m a real human being, in real life, and I grow and change and develop new things. If I robbed myself of expressing that change in my music. I’m doing this for the wrong reasons. Music has always been a vehicle for self expressions and charting your personal changes. So as I mature I want the art to reflect that. I love MUSIC, as a whole, not just a specific corner of it. So when I feel like my skills match my drive and love for a sound, and if I feel it’s organic. I’m going to run towards it.
Roundhouse Music: Which song do you hold as the most special to you personally, and why?
Ché: I’d say it’s a song I actually just made and haven’t released. It’s this super bombastic and aggressive rap track with the nastiest beat switch I think I’ve ever made. But the reason I love it so much is because it’s EXACTLY what I want to do. I don’t feel like I pulled any creative punches. All the music to come out after this next EP is gonna be really shocking to some people. Because it’s me fully showing how deep the creative bag I have is.
Roundhouse Music: What inspired your recent song “Judy”?
Ché: Judy was such an organic and natural song. Me and Jared were just in the studio and he stumbled across the drums and I liked it. We kind of went into our own worlds for 20 minutes and afterwards I had fully written the song, and he had the whole beat finished. I was in a lovey dovey but somber mood and wanted to play around with inflection. In my mind I imagine some southern cowboy dude singing about his first great heartbreak in an empty saloon.
Roundhouse Music: How did your new song “Yukon Gold” come together? What was your experience like creating it?
Ché: Yukon Gold was kind of last minute. I knew I wanted the next EP to have four songs, but we were at three and If I didn’t make something relatively soon we’d either push the project back or release it with three. I was randomly crate digging one day and stumbled across the record we sampled, took it home, isolated the moments I liked most, completely wrote the song over the loops I made. Then I took it to Jared and he took it to the next level.
Roundhouse Music: It’s really cool that you have your own record label as well and are releasing music under it. Can you talk about what’s happening with your record label GLTTR Records?
Ché: I’m so happy you asked. I always wanted my own label, and beyond that, an art house. A space where myself and other people can be creative and actually feel represented and supported. While in its current state, I’m just trying to build up the brand and more so focus on myself. The goal isn’t to simply sign artists. I want to cultivate a communal space for independent creatives so they can have the resources to make music and have it be heard. There are so many gifted people in the world, and it’s so difficult to gain exposure. With GLTTR Records I’m aiming to establish a landing pad for new and novice talent, so when they do step into this industry. They don’t get ripped in half.
Roundhouse Music: What can we expect next from you on the horizon in music?
Ché: Consistency. I’ve hit a creative stride as of late and I want to keep the ball rolling. That means lyric videos, music videos, more singles, maybe even a Yellow Machine deluxe if it makes sense. I want to be creating and releasing stuff as much as possible. While also putting all the pieces together in the shadows for this next album. The next project is really special to me and I’m flooded with the same feeling I felt when I was a kid first making music. So while I put all that together, you can expect me to still be dropping dope stuff and staying consistent.
Listen to Ché’s discography HERE.
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