From Guyana to New York’s Soundscape: Spin City Chris Creates a New Wave of Caribbean Hip-Hop

Before he became known as Spincity Chris, Christopher Clarke was a young immigrant finding his rhythm between two worlds, Guyana and New York.

Today, the Guyanese-American artist is carving out his own lane in music, blending Caribbean influences, hip-hop, R&B and Afro-inspired sounds into a genre he calls Cariswing. This fresh musical identity reflects the culture, energy and diversity of the Caribbean diaspora.

But his journey into music did not begin behind a microphone. It began behind a drum set inside a church. For nearly eight years, Clarke served as a church drummer, developing the musical foundation that would later shape his artistry. Growing up surrounded by Caribbean gospel music, he learned discipline, rhythm and the power of storytelling through sound.

“I grew up playing music before I ever started rapping,” he said. “Music has always been a part of my life.” Born in Guyana and moving to the United States at age 8, Clarke experienced the challenges of adapting to a new country while holding onto his cultural roots. His early years in New York introduced him to the city’s rich hip-hop history, from legendary artists like Jay-Z and Nas to a new generation of storytellers.

Music became his bridge between cultures.

“I think hip-hop helped me understand New York,” Clarke said. “It helped me connect with the city.”

While attending Baruch College, Clarke immersed himself in media, music and production. He earned a bachelor’s degree in media production with a minor in photography while building experience working on film sets, television projects and live events.

His passion for media eventually led him to take leadership of WBMB, Baruch College’s radio station, where he helped rebuild the organization from just a handful of members into a thriving community of more than 60 students.

Through that work, Clarke created opportunities for other young creatives while expanding his own industry network, eventually working with platforms including MTV and REVOLT.

Still, music remained his true calling.

Clarke officially launched his recording career in 2020, releasing music consistently while developing his sound and identity as an artist. His dedication quickly built a loyal audience, with fans connecting to his authenticity and Caribbean influence.

That journey led to the creation of Cariswing, a genre inspired by Afro Swing but infused with Caribbean elements including dancehall, soca, hip-hop and R&B.

“Cariswing is really the Caribbean and New York response to Afro Swing,” he explained. “It’s bringing all those influences together and creating something that represents where we come from.”

The sound was born from his desire to represent Guyana and the wider Caribbean in a way that felt modern and authentic.

His song “GT Boy,” inspired by Georgetown, Guyana’s capital city, became a turning point in his career. The track allowed Clarke to embrace his heritage publicly and encouraged him to dive deeper into his cultural identity.

“I realized I had to understand my own culture more,” he said. “I wanted to learn more about where I came from and bring that into my music.”

For Clarke, representation is not just about mentioning his background; it is about creating a movement.

Through Cariswing, he hopes to introduce audiences to a sound that celebrates Caribbean creativity while showing the world that the diaspora continues to influence global culture.

“I want people to hear my music and feel connected,” Clarke said. “Whether you’re Caribbean or not, I want you to feel something.”

As he continues to evolve as an artist, producer and storyteller, Spincity Chris is proving that identity is one of the most powerful instruments an artist can have.

From church drums to New York stages, Christopher Clarke is building a sound rooted in heritage, ambition and the belief that Caribbean music has more stories left to tell.