BEYOND THE VIBES
Captured by A Dope Black Creative
There’s something sacred about catching a creative in that in-between place—not where they started, not quite where they’re going, but standing confidently in the middle, learning as they go. That’s exactly where DJ Chrissy Yella was when we sat down for Beyond the Vibes. And honestly, that’s what made the conversation so powerful.
When Chrissy walked into the shoot, she was calm. No entourage. No persona to perform. Just her—present, grounded, and open. From the moment we began, it was clear this wasn’t just about music. This was about becoming.
“I was nervous, I was scared,” she said when reflecting on how her DJ journey began. There was no glossing over it. No false bravado. Just the truth of what it means to do something before you feel fully “ready.” She didn’t wait until she had it all figured out. She started because the desire to grow—to explore something that sparked joy—outweighed the fear of stumbling.
That honesty stuck with me. Because how often do we as creatives talk ourselves out of opportunities before we even try? How many passions die in the shadow of perfectionism?
Chrissy didn’t let that happen. She moved through the fear and showed up anyway.
The Push from the People Around You
As she shared her journey, one thread kept coming up: community. “A lot of people around me were just like, ‘You should be DJing,’” she said, almost laughing at how casual it all seemed at the time. But their belief in her wasn’t casual. It was foundational.
That kind of support matters. When you’re still trying to trust yourself, someone else’s belief can act like scaffolding—holding you up until you can stand on your own. Chrissy didn’t pretend to be a one-woman show. She made it clear that community shaped her confidence.
“A lot of times we don’t want to do something because we’re scared of how it’s going to look… or we’re scared to fail,” she said. And yet, she didn’t let that fear win. She leaned on her people, kept showing up, and reminded herself that the fear didn’t mean stop—it just meant start anyway.
That part of the story resonates deeply with me as a creative and a producer. Because if you’re doing this work—especially as a Black woman in creative spaces—there will be moments where you feel like an imposter. But the people who really see you? They remind you of what you carry.
The Next Chapter: Sound as Legacy
One of my favorite moments in the interview came quietly, when Chrissy said: “I want to do more—start producing. That’s something I’ve been playing with.” The way she said it wasn’t loud or performative. It was reflective. Thoughtful. Like she was letting herself speak something into existence, gently but with intent.
That’s how you know the evolution is real.
It’s not a pivot for the sake of trend. It’s a calling forward—an invitation to go deeper into her craft. She’s not just spinning other people’s sounds anymore. She’s ready to shape her own.
“I want to create my own sound,” she said. And that’s where the future lives—not just in learning new tools, but in owning her voice in a new way.
Becoming Isn’t Always Loud—But It’s Always Powerful
What struck me most about Chrissy wasn’t her presence behind the decks—it was her clarity behind her decisions. She knows she’s still evolving. Still learning. Still pushing past old fears. But she also knows her purpose: “I like making people feel good. That’s what music does for me… and I want to pass that on.”
She isn’t chasing clout. She’s creating healing.
And as she steps into her next chapter, I think she’s reminding all of us of something crucial: you don’t have to be perfect to begin. You don’t need permission to pivot. And you don’t have to have all the answers before you follow the spark.
Chrissy Yella is in motion—unfolding, experimenting, affirming herself in real time.
And if you ever catch her live, just know you’re not only hearing a set… you’re witnessing someone who had the courage to start before she felt ready—and who continues to evolve with grace, grit, and a whole lot of soul.
