Music has long served as a medium for self-expression and communication. Highly cognizant of its power, artists of the past and present have used songs not only to introduce themselves to the world and lay bare their desires and passions but also to send across powerful messages. Christian Catlin, better known as Chris Catlin, is among today’s emerging musicians whose discography speaks about more than who he is. His tracks, meticulously composed and rife with emotions that listeners from all walks of life can resonate with, draw influence from his experiences and convey much-needed insights.
Born in the Cayman Islands, Chris Catlin immigrated to the US at the age of ten and began carving a path toward the music industry right after moving away from the four walls of a high school classroom. Like millions of teenagers his age, he didn’t have a specific vision for the future in mind. But when he started recording raps in his room with a friend, he realized that he wanted nothing more than to explore music.
In the years since then, his initial interest in the craft has transformed into a deep-seated love, one that fuels his endeavors in an industry marked by its cut-throat nature. Heavily influenced by a father who was an astounding guitar player and inspired by the Caribbean lifestyle that played a massive role in his childhood, Chris Catlin is now making a mark as a promising talent adept at marrying smooth, moody urban R&B and Caribbean dancehall with pop and Latin vibes.
His appreciation of music’s ability to transcend barriers is mirrored in the Florida-based artist’s discography. From the beginning, Chris Catlin has continuously pushed against the limits, fusing genres and following a creative lane of his own. So it’s no surprise why his songs are peppered with flawless, fluid, authentic island elements and urban hip hop-esque flavor. Thanks to this versatility, he has managed to stand out amid a sea of talented musicians.
While it cannot be denied that Chris Catlin has captured the hearts of countless listeners because of his captivating voice and distinctive tracks, much of his growing success can also be credited to the messages he makes clear through his songs. His recent singles, “OtherSide” and “Roses and Flames,” starkly contrast with so many of the party anthems currently played on streaming platforms. In particular, “Roses and Flames” talks about the pain after the passing of a loved one.
“It was inspired by the death of my father. After he died, I realized it started to hurt less and less the more time passed. That made me understand that the less it hurt, the more his memory faded away. So the song is about hoping the pain stays,” Chris Catlin shared when asked about the impetus behind the creation of “Roses and Flames.”
The same depth of emotions was evident in “OtherSide,” a track that Chris Catlin dropped on February 18. “It’s a song I wrote about a girl going through the same thing I went through—losing someone I loved. But it’s about how there’s another side to the coin, a side of life where you can let it all go,” he added.
Given his potential, versatility, and ability to connect with listeners, it wouldn’t be a reach to assume that Chris Catlin is poised for greatness. In the years to come, the talented personality is expected to make bigger waves in the music industry. Be sure to check out his music on Spotify and Apple Music, and follow him @iamchriscatlin to stay up to date with what he’s doing.
