Exploring how sadness empowers us and love makes us human, Chayla Hope is pop's next great voice. Her songwriting and lyrics encapsulate a broad perspective based in raw emotion and led by a powerful voice that is at once classic and distinct. The Cleveland-based artist supported herself for years as a machinist, most recently at Gotta Groove Records, where she returns to press the vinyl edition of her debut album Damn, Feelings herself alongside Wax Mage Records. Her early years spent performing in drag helped hone her signature approach to style, and were no doubt part of what led her to voice the theme song for the cartoon Care Bears: Unlock the Magic.

Photo by Lindsey Poyar.