Guyanese-American artist Spincity Chris builds ‘Cariswing’ sound with new video ‘AWI’
The Queens-based rapper, born Christopher Clarke in Guyana, blends Caribbean rhythms with hip-hop, R&B and Afrobeats.
NEW YORK, United States. Guyanese-American artist Christopher Clarke, known professionally as Spincity Chris, is promoting a sound he calls Cariswing, a fusion of Caribbean rhythms, hip-hop, R&B and Afrobeats that he says reflects the identity of the Caribbean diaspora.
The Queens-based artist has released a new music video, “AWI”, as part of his mission to showcase Caribbean culture through music.
“I want people to hear the Caribbean in the music, but I also want them to hear New York. That’s who I am,” he said.
From church drums to the mic
Born in Guyana, Clarke moved to New York with his family at the age of eight. His Caribbean upbringing introduced him to the sounds of home, while New York exposed him to hip-hop artists such as Jay-Z and Nas.
Before pursuing music professionally, he spent nearly eight years playing drums in church. “I grew up playing music before I ever started rapping,” he said.
He describes Cariswing as a Caribbean interpretation of Afro swing, blending soca, dancehall, reggae, hip-hop and R&B.
Embracing heritage
Clarke first gained attention with “GT Boy”, a tribute to Georgetown, Guyana. “The more I learned about where I came from, the more it became part of my music,” he said.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in media production from Baruch College, where he helped grow the college radio station, WBMB, and later did production work with MTV and REVOLT.
Since launching his recording career in 2020, he has performed at events including Guyana Day celebrations and Caribbean Night Long Island.
“Your culture is to your advantage,” he said. “The things that make you different are the things that make your story powerful.”
