CHELJI’s Rise: From Grunge Alt-Pop to Mainstream Success
Alt-pop artist CHELJI, often referred to as the "grunge alt-pop princess," has made waves in the music industry with her raw, real lyrics and genre-blurring sound. CHELJI’s fanbase is growing rapidly, thanks to her relatable and honest approach to songwriting. This article takes a closer look at her journey and the success of two of her standout tracks: ‘Funeral’ and ‘JokeMan’ ft. Jacob Sartorius.
CHELJI: The Journey
Born in Birmingham, CHELJI’s unique blend of grunge and alt-pop sets her apart in today’s music scene. Despite a non-traditional start—attending university at just 15 years old to study game and software development—CHELJI soon realized that the conventional path wasn’t for her.
Her foray into music came as she started to share teasers and lip-syncs on TikTok, where she quickly built a strong following. CHELJI has always been passionate about connecting with her fans, and this connection helped her audience grow rapidly. However, despite the initial traction, CHELJI felt disillusioned and stepped away from music, navigating the difficult realities of pursuing a creative dream.
The Turning Point: ‘Hate Me’
Years later, her unreleased track “Hate Me” unexpectedly blew up on TikTok, reigniting her passion for music. With newfound inspiration, she relaunched her music career, pushing through challenges, including the suspension of her original TikTok account. Undeterred, she rebuilt her following and now boasts a rapidly growing audience of 1.2 million followers on her second TikTok account, @itschelji.
Her debut releases ‘Still Here’ and ‘23’ each garnered over 2.5 million streams globally in their first three months, while her track ‘My Way’ hit half a million streams in less than 30 days. Drawing inspiration from artists like Nirvana, Lil Peep, blackbear, and Kanye West, CHELJI’s music explores dark themes such as domestic abuse, depression, and substance abuse. However, her music also carries a hopeful undertone, offering a unique perspective on these heavy topics.
CHELJI once said, “My music’s gonna be messed up. I’m going to touch on topics no one has ever touched on. I want people who don’t feel heard to listen to my music and say, ‘I’m valid.’”
‘Funeral’ – A Karma Anthem
Released in September 2023, ‘Funeral’ is an emotionally charged track that reflects on a past relationship. The song’s distant electric guitar riffs and chant-like backing vocals add a distinctive, angsty sound to this karma anthem.
CHELJI spoke about the inspiration behind the song, saying: “I wrote Funeral when I was in Sweden. As always, I started with a guitar loop... I never know what I’m going to write about until I start freestyling and just saying how I feel. At the time, I was angry about a past relationship, so I went with it. It’s a karma anthem. Nothing helps you heal more than a good ol’ karma anthem!”
With its catchy melodies and raw lyrics, ‘Funeral’ showcases CHELJI’s unique artistry and ability to connect with her audience on a deeply personal level.
‘JokeMan’ ft. Jacob Sartorius
In December 2023, CHELJI teamed up with Gen-Z star Jacob Sartorius for the track ‘JokeMan.’ Sartorius, known for his massive social media following and heartfelt content, was the perfect collaborator for this project.
The track has already found significant success, landing on several prominent editorial playlists, including Misfits 2.0, The Locker, Shockwave, and New Music Friday UK, all within just four weeks of its release.
Looking Ahead: CHELJI in 2024 and Beyond
With her fanbase, affectionately called the CHELJDREN, eagerly anticipating what comes next, 2024 is shaping up to be another exciting year for CHELJI. Her innovative platform, Trauma Dump, continues to inspire people to share their deepest emotions and experiences, further solidifying her connection with fans.
With a bold, unapologetic style and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of music, CHELJI’s rise in the alt-pop world shows no signs of slowing down. Her authenticity and fearlessness in tackling difficult topics resonate deeply with her listeners, making her one of the most exciting artists to watch in the coming year.