Today we’d like to introduce you to Chel Strong.
Hi Chel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in Detroit, MI for a greater portion of my life before moving to LA in 2012. I come from a music first type of family. My father, Barrett Strong was a singer/songwriter from the Motown era singing his first hit record, “Money (Thats what I want)” at just 16, and later Co-writing hit records such as, I heard it through the grapevine, Papa was a rolling stone, Just my imagination, War and I wish It would rain, just to name a few. Growing up under that pressure was tough when I began my journey in music, but my pops always reminded me of my value and it kept me confident in what I was trying to achieve and I thank him for that. I always had a deep admiration for rap probably like most kids my age during that time however, I always listened to rap differently than my peers. I always listened to envision the picture the lyrics were painting rather than just for bobbing my head. I always felt connected with the hip hop culture as a whole and it inspired me to find a way to make my place in the industry. Fast forward from all the years of wins and lessons learned, I’m here in beautiful Los Angeles witnessing my dreams come true. My music is now all over the world on various television shows, movies, ad/commercials, video games, sports programming and many more!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been far from smooth and even with success comes struggles. Rather it’s balancing your personal life with your business or hearing “No” so many times it becomes expected, coming up as any kind of entrepreneur has its challenges. I have learned that your love for what you do will fuel your commitment you will need to find solutions in those scenarios. I love sneakers, and the loops I’ve went through to land pairs is limitless haha, so if my drive for that can lead me to a pair of cactus jacks, my drive to see to it my business succeeds must be beyond that. Bottomline is when you love something, you find ways to make it work, and that mentality is what got me to where I’m at today and how I plan to go even further!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a songwriter and hip hop artist. I am best known for my music. I synch and license not limited to, television, trailers, video gaming, sports programming, ad/commercials, movies. Some of the notable synchs you can find my music on are MLB: The show 21, MLB: The show 21 legends trailer, Big Rumble Boxing: Creed champions, Showtime, VH1, BET, MTV, Oprahs OWN TV, Bellator, Hulu, Fox, CBS, NBA TV, BBC, FUSE, and many more. I have also Co-wrote the record “Keep On” for Faith Evans and Fonzworth Bentley for indy-film, Restored me.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My father and four sisters played the biggest role in my life in keeping me on track and coming up following my dreams. I lost my mother at 15 to heart disease and at that age, it was hard to stay strong through it. Thanks to my father and sisters, they were able to be that support for me. I actually landed in California because my sister wanted to help me switch the environment I was in at the time. She took a chance on me, opening up her home to me in California. That move not only was the first stepping stone in my career but also the stepping stone in meeting my wife and having our two boys, Navy and July. I always think if I wouldn’t have come west, I wouldn’t have the family I have today. My father, also I have to thank for always believing in me. No matter what huge accomplishments he’s had, he’s always kept a relationship with me like a believing father. A father who wants to help his boy in any way he can to get him where he needs to be.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/chel-strong/882415694
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelstrong/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/chel_strong
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHzA7QSVMQetzMmlvrNXUPw
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5IQZJajZWvblyYQpdzQjLF?si=m7oGifXWSg-6AAmDApbxmw&dl_branch=1
Image Credits:
Bryan. A Martinez (BAM)
