Biography
Charisse C, born in South Africa and now based in London, works as a DJ, producer, and singer whose polished approach to amapiano and gqom has drawn widespread critical notice. She also forms half of the electronic duo the Ascension, which issued its self-titled debut in 2023. Early in 2024 she issued her debut solo EP, Evergreen, on the Abantu label she founded.
Although she grew up in England, Charisse C has kept her South African and Zimbabwean heritage central to her creative identity. She entered the field first as a writer, starting with music blogs during her teenage years before studying journalism in London, where she took up DJing. Treating the craft as an extension of narrative, she introduced her Abantu program on the influential station No Signal in 2020. The broadcasts highlighted a wide array of dynamic traditions from across the African continent, and her selections soon appeared on Boiler Room, BBC 1, and NTS. She expanded her presence as a live performer, shaping a bass-heavy amapiano sound across dates in London, Europe, and South Africa. In 2022 she joined forces with singer and musician Koek Sista to launch the Ascension, a venture that delved further into African elements within electronic music. The pair released their self-titled debut EP in October 2023. Returning to solo work early the next year, Charisse placed the Evergreen EP as the first offering on her own Abantu imprint.
Although she grew up in England, Charisse C has kept her South African and Zimbabwean heritage central to her creative identity. She entered the field first as a writer, starting with music blogs during her teenage years before studying journalism in London, where she took up DJing. Treating the craft as an extension of narrative, she introduced her Abantu program on the influential station No Signal in 2020. The broadcasts highlighted a wide array of dynamic traditions from across the African continent, and her selections soon appeared on Boiler Room, BBC 1, and NTS. She expanded her presence as a live performer, shaping a bass-heavy amapiano sound across dates in London, Europe, and South Africa. In 2022 she joined forces with singer and musician Koek Sista to launch the Ascension, a venture that delved further into African elements within electronic music. The pair released their self-titled debut EP in October 2023. Returning to solo work early the next year, Charisse placed the Evergreen EP as the first offering on her own Abantu imprint.
Albums
Singles
