Charisse is one of the new faces of innovative musical creativity—an artist boldly reshaping the soundscape of soul music. With roots grounded in gospel, a voice shaped by legends, and a vision set on the future, she honors the past while commanding the present and pioneering what’s next in Southern Soul.

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Born Ashley Charisse Mackey, she is an American Southern Soul/Love singer, songwriter, and arranger whose voice and energy are captivating audiences across the globe. Hailing from Memphis, TN, Charisse was born to the late Darleen Strong-Mackey—lead singer of the legendary Brown Singers—and Wilfred Mackey of the Legendary Memphis Harmonizers. Music runs in her blood. She began singing at the age of 1 and was raised in the church, cutting her teeth in local youth jams, concerts, and talent showcases. Despite an early career full of travel and performance, she graduated from Whitehaven High School in Memphis, staying deeply connected to her Southern roots.

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In 2003, she formed the group Ashley Mackey and Worship, a collective that has carried soul and gospel sounds across the country for over a decade. Her church upbringing and admiration for powerhouse voices like Kim Burrell and Aretha Franklin laid the foundation for her signature style—a rich, expressive blend of raw vocal control and emotional nuance.

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Charisse has shared the stage with icons such as Kirk Franklin, Jekalyn Carr, Charlie Wilson, Mary Mary, Howard Hewitt, Chante Moore, Marcus Miller, and many more. In 2014, she became the lead vocalist for the internationally acclaimed BB King's All Stars, touring globally aboard Holland America Cruise Lines. Her powerhouse performances made her one of the cruise line’s top female entertainers, landing her in a nationally aired Holland America commercial seen across all 50 states and major streaming platforms.

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Her sound transcends genres—interweaving gospel, R&B, pop, funk, country, reggae, and hip-hop—yet it is in Southern Soul that Charisse has found her truest expression. Her voice, described as smooth yet commanding, can soften a room or raise a roof with equal grace. No matter the genre, her melodic presence resonates with undeniable authenticity.

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In August 2024, Charisse released her breakout gospel single “Stay With Me”, a powerful ballad rooted in spiritual longing and emotional vulnerability. The song became a regional favorite and affirmed her place as a voice that moves effortlessly between the sacred and the soulful. Then, on March 14, 2025, she followed up with “Stuck” — a timeless, heartfelt love song that showcases her softer, more intimate side as an artist.

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Now, with the release of her new breakout single “Southern Soul Train,” Charisse is bringing her Southern heritage full circle—paying homage to trail rides, family reunions, and Southern storytelling with a fresh, dance-driven anthem that’s electrifying stages and line dances across the country. It’s more than a song; it’s a movement. With her unmistakable voice and infectious energy, Charisse is quickly becoming one of the leading women in the Southern Soul renaissance.

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From Sunday morning choirs to worldwide tours, from church pews to soul cruises, Charisse isn’t just part of the sound—she is the moment. And now, she’s inviting the world to ride with her.