DaChri on Resilience, Reinvention, and Writing From the Heart
Detroit-born and Nashville-based artist David Christopher, better known as DaChri, is a songwriter, producer, and performer whose music defies easy categorisation. ‘I write, produce, and perform across pop, alt-rock, and R&B,’ he says. ‘It’s about telling stories, raw and honest, with vulnerability woven into every release.’ With his debut full-length album on the horizon, DaChri reflects on his roots, his evolution, and why making music is as much about healing as it is about sound.
‘Detroit raised me,’ DaChri explains, looking back at the city that shaped him. ‘The city introduced me to Motown, gospel, and soul. There’s nothing like Detroit; it bleeds Black excellence and opportunity. It’s a diamond in the rough. It definitely gave me the grit and the tough skin you need to survive in this industry and to keep going.’ He credits his diverse influences for shaping his sound, from the innovative genre-blending of Linkin Park to Jon Bellion’s honesty and eclecticism, and the tireless work ethic of Michael Jackson. ‘Linkin Park taught me about genre-mixing, Jon Bellion brought honesty and eclecticism, and Michael Jackson is the definition of hard work and passion for your craft.’ Before venturing out on his own, DaChri spent time in an alternative rock band. ‘At first, it was about pushing my creativity, but over time it became more about telling my own story.’
DaChri’s solo project emerged almost by necessity. ‘After a year, I had maybe 50 or 60 songs, and 10 or 15 felt so personal I couldn’t give them away. I knew I had to release them myself.’ His earlier projects, including “The Boy They Left Behind,” “DaChri Season,” and “Why Do I Care If They Like Me?” reflect a clear evolution in his artistry. ‘The first was about figuring out who I was, having fun and testing boundaries. “DaChri Season” honed in on eclecticism and experimentation. “Why Do I Care If They Like Me?” was a turning point; I wanted to give listeners more than easy-listening songs. That was me pushing a bolder message.’ He coined the term ‘woke pop’ to describe his sound. ‘It’s pop with deeper messages. Love is deep, but I wanted to sing about more — self-awareness, mental health, emotional maturity. Not many male artists tackle these subjects openly, so I wanted to carve out space for that.’ His project “How to Love Yourself in 5 Songs” became ‘a toolkit for healing, for me and for listeners who need permission to be emotionally vulnerable.’
His approach to genre is instinctual rather than calculated. ‘Honestly, it’s instinctual. I consume multiple genres like most listeners, so when I create, it’s about what I’m feeling that day or the producer I’m working with. I don’t like constraints.’ DaChri has learned to give his songs time to breathe and test their staying power. ‘I’ve learned to zoom out and let songs breathe. Sometimes that means closing our eyes in the studio and listening on repeat until every detail feels right. Other times, I’ll leave a song for weeks or months and come back to see if it still hits. Time and space are the best truth tellers.’ His ‘Color Series,’ in which he released a new song every week for two months, was a chance to revisit older material and experiment freely. ‘Those were mostly songs from the “TBTLB” and “DaChri Season” eras that didn’t have a home yet. Some were three years old, some were new. The idea was freedom — going back to the mixtape era, just releasing and creating without overthinking.’
DaChri’s mission has always been to help people feel their feelings. ‘I always knew deep down, but it took me years to grow into it. I had to learn how to write pop, hip-hop, and R&B songs well first. Once I got better at the craft, I could focus more on the impact and the message.’ Vulnerability is central to his work, as shown in songs like “Skin I’m In,” “Out There Somewhere,” and “Audrey.” ‘“Skin I’m In” was huge for me. It was originally meant for female artists, but my producer convinced me to keep it because men need to hear it too. Feelings of inadequacy and shame aren’t just women’s struggles. “Out There Somewhere” and “Audrey” were also deeply vulnerable. One written after COVID and losing friends, the other as a letter to my late grandmother.’ His music balances honesty with uplifting energy. ‘I’m still figuring that out. For me, it’s about checking in with myself — am I writing honestly? Am I serving others with my art? I hope people hear that I’m striving for that balance, even when I don’t have all the answers.’
Now returning to alt-rock in his latest work, DaChri embraces the rawness and emotional intensity of the genre. ‘Rock has always been honest to me. I wanted in-your-face songs with screaming, heavy guitars, and rawness, because that’s what the emotions called for.’ His upcoming album feels like a true debut, despite his previous EPs and mixtapes. ‘This time, it was built with vision from the start. One producer, Cole Tague, oversaw the project. It’s cohesive, conceptual, and tells a story about life, love, death, and rebirth.’ Fans can expect a blend of alt-rock depth and familiar pop sounds. ‘More alt-rock, more depth, but also some of the pop sounds my fans already know me for. I can’t spoil everything, but it’s the most honest thing I’ve ever made.’
Reflecting on the influence of Detroit and Nashville, he says, ‘Detroit gave me my soul and grit. That’s where I fell in love with music. Nashville is where I’ve grown as a creator, surrounded by people who understand the journey. Being around musicians better than me pushes me forward.’ The message he hopes listeners take away from his next chapter is clear: ‘It’s okay to be who you are. Growth is important, but so is grace and loving yourself where you’re at. This next era is about doing the work — for me, a lot of that is internal. I hope listeners can find their own work and go after it too.’ Asked to describe his debut album in three words, he says, ‘Raw, honest, and anchor. You’ll have to wait and see why.’
