Meet Chari Lakey | Singer. Artist. Performer. Professional.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chari Lakey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chari, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks are beyond one of the scariest things to think about when it comes to building your brand. The thought of failure literally scares you into being safe, or not taking steps toward your goals. We are ingrained with fear due to the quick success of others around us. I had to take certain risk that involved my livelihood. I had to make certain changes that completely turned my life upside. Looking back on it, I was completely terrified, and stayed stagnant due to fear that the risk were to great. Now when I talk about it, I laugh, because what is going to happen. Nothing. Nothing is going to happen. I take this risk, it doesn’t work out, I move on to what will work out. The world wont end, I wont literally die, so what risk is really “to great”. Risk played a huge part in my life by adding a level of confidence I didn’t have before. It instilled a survivors mentality in me, and that makes me unstoppable.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a singer, artist, and performer. I have been doing so professionally almost 9 years in Atlanta. I have also done so without a agent or any help. It’s just me pushing myself and my gift onto other people. I provide a different performance experience. I studied classical and opera, starting in high school, and then started to take my own path as I got older and started to perform more. I had a lot of obstacles. There was a time when I wasn’t singing at all, I felt held back, I felt used, and I couldn’t find my way out the situation I was in. I had to finally take a risk, and realize that I am so much more than my circumstances. I take all of that energy and put it into every performance I have. I want the world to know that it’s not easy. It’s a struggle everyday, but I choose myself, my gift, my work, everyday. That’s what gets me through. I just recently released a EP with a female saxophonist. We put our own spin on songs that we love, so there’s some jazz, gospel, r&b, just really feel good music. Being young and hearing what’s on the radio now, we wanted to put out music that was true to stuff that we enjoy. We wanted to stand out from everyone else, and show that real music, musicianship, artistry absolutely still exist. It’s available everywhere for streaming called Now or Never: The Live EP. All the songs are live, probably done in 1 maybe 2 takes. There are imperfections, and rhythm changes, but most importantly its real live music.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
So I am all about day drinking! I know it sounds crazy. It would need to start with a brunch somewhere that includes bottomless mimosas. It’s a great way to still eat some food, but really start the day off right. Then we end up at Piedmont Park, and continue the drinking. There are certain places you can go that are super fun in ATL, but it seems like when your friends come in town, so did everyone else. Things get overcrowded super quickly. You can go to the mall at your hometown. I would definitely take us for a night out at Kats Cafe, where we can get some live music with a band, drinks, and really good food. Maybe we will end the night off at SIVAS, which is a super cute lounge, were you can get some turn up music, old school jams, hookah, if your into that, and more good food. Places that offer live entertainment, I think, is the best. Apache XLR, Cafe 290, Kats Cafe, and so many more places are starting that in ATL.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My community is a large part of the push that I need everyday. The encouragement from my peers has truly made me feel like I have a place. People like my partner Erin, who is my #1 fan, my sister since high school Elle, or my chorus family with Atlanta Women’s Chorus. Each of these parts of my community has made me feel like I can do anything. It makes me feel strong and empowered. The love from my partner makes me feel like I’m the greatest thing to ever grace a stage. That type of love is so hard to come by, and I dont take it for granted. This shoutout is absolutely dedicated to each and everyone of them. There was a point in my life about 5 years ago were I wasn’t singing at all. Some of these people are the very reason I was able to share my gift again.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofchar/?hl=en

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCvhHmDsvK063LEJ4xVhPXug