Formerly known as Charli Haruhi, Charli Ra is an alternative soul artist based in Virginia. Drawing from indie rock, alternative, dance, house, and soul influences, Charli Ra creates an immersive world of music all held together by one distinct vision. 

Born Selathia Chestnut to an American army family in Würzburg, Germany, they spent their childhood constantly on the move, never fully settling in to one place. Music, along with the stars in the sky, offered them a place where they could express themself without enduring society's judgment. They began singing at the age of 7 and played multiple instruments throughout their childhood including flute, trombone, and bass guitar. Saying, "I've always felt like an alien", their fascination with outer space is just one of Charli Ra's eccentricities. They have spent much time studying psychology and religion,  getting their Bachelors of Science in these topics from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2016.

After graduating from VCU, Selathia started graduate school at the University of Colorado Denver to get a Masters in Multicultural Counseling. In 2018, during their second semester, they discovered that they had what it takes to create their own music. In that moment,   they decided to follow their heart and fully pursue music.

They would continue to be influenced by their curiosity in astrophysics, spirituality, and even anime. Once they discovered the "Law of One" also known as the "Ra Material" in 2020, they were able further define their musical purpose and lyrical style. Determined to bring these ideas to the world in their own unique way, Charli Ra creates a narrative thread connecting all of these seemingly loose topics.  In this, Ra reminds the world of their divinity through genre bending and thought expanding music. 

In 2023, Ra was a contestant on the first season of "The Full Package" a song writing and performance competition show, coming to Tubi 2025. The following year, they were commissioned by the director of the Dogwood Dell Festival of the Arts to create and perform original music for their adaptation of "A Midsummer Night's Dream". They are making their festival debut this year at Dancefestopia.

Charli Ra most recently released their new single "Alchemy 2”. You can listen and download all released songs for free on this site or listen on all streaming platforms. Also sign up for the email list to find out about new releases and upcoming performances!