Colin Harris, a Guyanese-born musician with a multifaceted background, is redefining his profession as a full-time artist after serving within the U.S. Air Drive and dealing for the federal authorities for over 20 years. Born and raised on the East Coast of Demerara, Harris immigrated to the U.S. within the early Nineties. His artist identify, Colle Kharis, is a delicate play on his given identify.
Harris was drawn to music from an early age and credit his father, a former member of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF), for sparking his preliminary curiosity. “When my father got here dwelling, he’d sit in entrance of a turntable and play music all day,” he recalled. It piqued younger Harris’ curiosity in electronics and led him to construct his first microphone. He continued to experiment with music and engineering as a young person in Guyana.
Shortly after immigrating to the U.S., Harris was signed to Trackmasters, a outstanding Brooklyn-based music manufacturing firm, along with his group, World Impression. Whereas signed, he gained invaluable expertise and data early in his profession. Nonetheless, when the label shifted its focus away from artist growth, Harris put his music profession on maintain and joined the U.S. Air Force, serving as an engineering technician.
Music could have taken a backseat whereas Harris served six years within the army and later labored for the Division of Protection and the Federal Aviation Administration, however his ardour by no means waned. After early retirement in 2021, Harris determined to return to music full-time.
In the present day, Harris is thought for his distinctive fusion sound, mixing reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, and different world influences. “I’m a fusion artist,” he says, explaining his means of writing music based mostly on life experiences and world occasions. His second album, The Book of Colle Kharis, has been well-received, incomes him an award for one in every of its tracks, which additionally charted on NCN in Guyana. “Music has turn out to be my major focus, and plenty of songs are deeply tied to private experiences and replicate world occasions,” he defined.
Harris’ return to music is not only about private achievement—he views it as remedy. After being identified with PTSD and continual despair resulting from his army service, music has helped him regain management over his psychological well being. “Music is part of my each day routine. At one level, I used to be taking round 15 to twenty drugs a day to deal with all the things. Now, I’m down to at least one, and it’s not even associated to despair. The remedy for despair resides your life with objective,” he displays, crediting music for offering him with peace and emotional readability.
Within the coming months, followers can anticipate two new releases from Harris: a Bachelor’s Journey EP and an album, Lot 13. Harris describes Lot 13 as extra in his consolation zone, rooted in reggae and dancehall. Regardless of his give attention to creating new music, Harris additionally works on artist growth, paving his path inside the music trade
With a profession that spans army service, federal work, and musical achievement, Colin Harris proves that pursuing your ardour isn’t too late. His journey from Guyana to the U.S. and from army bases to the stage is as inspiring as it’s distinctive.
