From Ottawa’s quiet corners to international music stages, Canadian artist Chrissy Spratt is steadily redefining what it means to be a global R&B and Afropop talent. With her soft, angelic vocals layered over infectious Afrobeats rhythms, Chrissy’s music feels both familiar and refreshing—a fusion that mirrors her roots as much as her adventurous spirit.
Her journey began with viral covers on TikTok and Instagram, where she captivated millions by effortlessly shifting between genres. Whether reimagining classic R&B ballads or embracing the pulsating energy of Afropop and amapiano, she showcased not only her vocal versatility but also her ability to connect across cultures. This organic rise set the stage for her next chapter.
Now, that chapter has arrived with her debut EP, Maybe Next Time (formerly Fifth Goodbye. Listen here). The project is more than a collection of songs. It is a story of love, loss, and growth, told through melodies that linger long after the music fades. In this candid conversation, Chrissy Spratt reflects on her musical evolution, the influences that shaped her sound, and the breakthrough moments that defined her path. She also opens up about the songs she writes, the collaborations that inspire her, and the exciting tours that lie just ahead.
Here’s the story behind the voice that’s quickly becoming a fixture on playlists worldwide…
For those just discovering you, who is Chrissy Spratt, and how would you describe your sound in your own words?
I’m a very chill, quiet, and reserved person in my day-to-day life. But the moment I get on camera, it’s like I step into another persona—one that’s here to entertain. I’d describe my voice as soft, sweet, and angelic, almost like I could sing you a lullaby. Then, when it comes to describing my sound, I’d say take that voice and blend it with R&B melodies layered over Afrobeats rhythms.
You’re originally from Ottawa, Canada. How did growing up there shape your early love for music and your journey into R&B and Afropop?
I wouldn’t say my location or environment had much influence on my music. What really shaped me was what I grew up listening to. R&B was huge during that era—Destiny’s Child, Mya, Brandy—they were all on repeat for me. Later, when I started working in clubs, I got exposed to so many different genres and artists, which really expanded my ear. As for Afropop, that came more recently. I actually heard it for the first time in the club, when DJs in Ottawa started playing it, and it immediately caught my attention.
You first gained traction online for your on-demand covers across multiple genres. Do you remember the first time one of your videos really took off and how that felt?
Yeah, that was when I did the cover to ‘Cough (Odo)’ by Kizz Daniel, and he reposted it. That’s when everything took off for me. Just by a repost. It was exciting, but there was also this urgency, like I couldn’t miss that moment. A viral moment can last about a week and then disappear if you don’t have anything else to follow it up with. So I just kept going—kept doing the covers. And it kept growing. Other artists started to vouch for me, co-sign me with their reposts. That sense of excitement—that rush—stayed with me for a long time.
Your sound blends chilled-out R&B with Afrobeats, amapiano, and more. How has diving into Afropop and collaborating with African artists influenced your musical identity?
Because the covers did so well, they opened doors for me. I got the chance to meet and work with some big producers and co-writers in the Afropop space. That experience gave me so much clarity about my identity as an artist. It’s helped me grow, and now I’m diving even deeper into the sound.
As a Canadian artist, what drew you to Afrobeats, and when did you realize your covers were resonating with African audiences?
It all started with the comments. On TikTok, people kept sending me requests, and that’s what pushed me. I always loved covering songs that felt opposite to me. I’d rather cover a male rapper than a female singer, because no matter what, it’s going to sound unique in my voice. The different melodies, the pronunciations, the dialects—that’s what pulled me into Afrobeats covers. And then, right after Kizz Daniel reposted my ‘Cough’ cover, everything shifted. Suddenly, fans were following me, the comments were pouring in, and all of this love was hitting me at once.
Your musical journey started with covers by request. At what point did you know it was time to transition into original music full-time?
I’ve always done both covers and original music, and for a long time, they overlapped. But covers were always dominant—they were easier, quicker, and honestly more fun to do. On social media, I could easily post two covers a week, while putting out original music never happened as frequently. When the Afrobeats covers really took off, I poured myself into that lane for the next few years. It wasn’t a complete break from my own music, but in those three years, I only released maybe two original songs.
The real shift came when Ikenna, from my label Hi-Way 89, pushed me to step into original music full-time. He saw the bigger picture. Deep down, I always knew I wanted to be an original artist, but it took a team and a clear vision to help me let go of covers and focus fully on my own identity. That turning point was about a year ago—in May 2024.
Your debut EP, Maybe Next Time (formerly Fifth Goodbye), drops on August 22. Can you walk us through the inspiration behind the title and the themes you explore in the project?
I’ve decided to change the name of my EP to Maybe Next Time. After sitting with it for a while, it just felt like the right vibe for the project—lighter, but also more honest. The tracks really explore the full spectrum of love: falling in love, being in love, falling out of it, letting go, and even recognizing the mistakes you make along the way. So Maybe Next Time became a way of capturing that journey. It’s like saying to yourself—or even to an ex—‘maybe next time it’ll work out.’ There’s a sense of closure in it, but also hope. It’s about learning, moving forward, and carrying love with you into whatever comes next.
You’ve worked with some incredible producers like Tejiri and Coleman Hell. What was your vision for the sound and emotion of this EP?
I’d say the goal was simply to make good music. When you collaborate with other creatives, you never really know what’s going to come out of it, and that’s the beauty of it. For me, it was about creating something new and fresh that I still loved and connected with. I wanted the songs to capture both ends of the spectrum: the joy of love and the sting of heartache.
“Call On Me” is such a beautiful fusion of R&B and Afropop. What was it like working with Nonso Amadi and Serøtonin for your first international collaboration?
It honestly started like any other studio session. Nonso [Amadi] and I were meeting for the first time, just vibing—he was freestyling lyrics, I was freestyling melodies. We didn’t know exactly what we were creating, but we knew it was going to be about love. Later, Serøtonin came in and added his verse, and it felt like he completed the song. When I reached out and asked him to be on it, he sent his verse back within forty-eight hours, and when I heard it, I literally got goosebumps. I don’t get goosebumps easily, so for me, that meant something.
You’re heading out on tour with Chike for the ‘Boo of the North’ tour, beginning on August 29. What are you most excited about as you take your music to live audiences across Canada?
I’m really just excited to perform these songs live, and to perform, period. There’s something special about connecting with people in person. I can’t wait to meet fans in all these different cities. Canada is actually way more diverse than a lot of people think.
Looking ahead, how do you hope your music continues to connect across cultures, and what kind of impact do you want to have as a global artist?
I’d like to keep connecting and collaborating with artists from different parts of the world, and performing on as many stages as I can globally. I really love traveling and learning about other cultures, so for me it’s about growth both musically and personally. In terms of impact, my hope is simple. I just want people to feel good when they hear my music, and to feel seen and understood, because the stories I tell are real and relatable.
Listen…
Chrissy Spratt’s debut EP, Maybe Next Time, drops today via Hi-Way 89 Entertainment. Listen to it here.
Following the release of Maybe Next Time, Chrissy will head out on the road with Afrobeats star Chike for their joint “Boo of the North” Canadian tour, kicking off August 29th at the National Event Centre in Toronto. See full tour dates and ticket links here.
Featured image: The LargeUp Agency
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