My name is Chris Showalter—born and raised in Harlem. I’ve been making beats since I was 17, when I first got into music through the Harlem Children’s Zone. Music became my way to express myself and stay connected to the world around me. Over time, it turned into something bigger than just sound—it became a way to give back. I’ve always felt like my purpose was to create for the community and inspire others to see what’s possible when you believe in your own ideas.

I make music that honors the legends who came before me and the neighborhood that raised me. Harlem has always been full of rhythm, imagination, and hustle—and that’s what I try to capture every time I sit down to make a beat. My inspiration comes from the sounds I grew up on, from old-school hip-hop to soul and gospel. I like to remix what I found cool as a kid with the things that move me now. It keeps that young version of me alive—the kid who believed anything was possible with creativity and faith.

Through my music and mentoring younger artists, I’m hoping to solve a problem that I see in a lot of people: losing confidence in themselves. So many young creatives second-guess their talent because they don’t see enough people from their block making it happen. I want them to know you don’t have to leave Harlem to create something meaningful. You just have to start where you are.

What I get out of all this is purpose. When I see a young artist light up because they found their sound, that’s the best feeling in the world. Music gave me direction, and now I’m trying to pass that on—to keep the beat of my community alive and remind us all that creativity is part of who we are.