CHANDLAR… The name sounds familiar? Maybe you've caught one of his performances at SOBs Sol Village, Joe's Pub Eclectic Ride or perhaps you were watching BET's 106 & Park? No, you heard him and a slamming band at Webster Hall the other week? You scratch your head trying to figure out if his latest ballad "Lay Down B-Side You" was that tune you heard playing at your friend's last soirée? Let's face it, he's hot! Chandlar is a bonafide musical triple threat with flawless vocals, sizzling production, insightful lyrics and let's not forget to mention a live stage show that will have even the most seasoned vets asking, "When is somebody gonna sign this guy?"
He hails from Chicago, Illinois or "chi-town" as the natives refer to it. A city with a rich tradition of Soul music dating back to the days of record labels like Chess, Capital and Cur-Tom. A city that has been immortalized in music and videos by Hip-Hop icons Kanye West and Common. Chicago, the city known for dance moves so smooth that even R. Kelly sung about it!
Born and raised on Chicago's West Side, Chandlar was entrenched in Classic R&B from the womb. His parents had a band in which his mom was the lead singer and his dad was the bandleader. They covered Classic Soul artists such as Chaka Khan, Minnie Ripperton and Mother's Finest. His uncle Kermit Chandler was the guitarist for The Sheppards, an R&B group formed in 1959. The Sheppards were best known for taking the intricate, pure harmonies of Doo-Wop and merging them with instrumentation and progressive vocal styling that would later reign supreme during the Funk era. Kermit was also a guitarist/producer for such noteworthy talent as Earth, Wind and Fire, Curtis Mayfield and Chaka Khan. Coming from a musically gifted family, Chandlar was schooled from a very early age on the significance of knowing his musical history and embarked on a journey that would eventually elevate the musical legacy of the Chandler family to another level and another coast...
In 2000 Chandlar made the bold, but necessary move to New York. He understood that this relocation would put him in the hub of the Industry and expose him to experiences that would truly test not only his talent, but his fortitude and commitment to pursuing his passion for music. He made the "required" rounds—performed at the hottest open mics, attended Industry parties, networked—all of the things that are part of paying your dues in New York City. Then one day it all came together for him in the form of Strong Emotion, his debut CD. It didn't take long before the word spread about his talent. This notoriety helped build his reputation not only as a dynamic performer, but as a sincere person who is always willing to help out a fellow artist by contributing production, songs or even background vocals to their projects!
Chandlar is a selfless artist who gives his all to his craft and the people who support him.
As a singer, songwriter and producer, Chandlar has the unique advantage of being able to oversee his projects from conception to completion. Chandlar's music is a flavorful blend of classic Soul and Contemporary R&B: Funky bass lines, lushly layered harmonies and thrusting drum arrangements that solidly support well-articulated, delicately delivered lead vocals. On Strong Emotion, Chandlar's debut release, the artist transitions with finesse from a full-bodied tenor to a sweet falsetto. Lyrically, Chandlar is not afraid to speak the truth. He says what men want to say to their women and what every woman wants to hear from her man.
A self-managed, self-taught, self-contained independent artist, Chandlar has amassed some impressive credentials in the Industry. He has opened for many of the hottest acts including Aaliyah, R. Kelly, Twista, 112 Donnie, Donell Jones, Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Freddie Jackson, Meli'sa Morgan, Ashford and Simpson, Boyz II Men, Cisco, Allison Williams and DMC of Run DMC. A gifted producer and engineer, Chandlar was a staff producer/engineer for CWA/Atlantic, Kid Capri's TML Management, Blunt/TVT recording artist LaTanya, Def Jam recording artist Montell Jordan, Erick Sermon's Def Squad Records and engineered sessions for Rappolot Records recording artists Do or Die.
Chandlar is currently putting the finishing touches on his sophomore release entitled Keep Doing Me Like That. It's safe to assume that whatever it is he's doing, will be something you'll want done again, and again, and again…
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