Hidden Gems: Meet Chinelo Tyler of The Kaleidoscope Project

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chinelo Tyler.

Hi Chinelo, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey to music began in the church. I grew up as the pastor’s child who was forced to spend their weekdays in the sanctuary and support every church-related program – including the choir. Although I was a naturally shy kid, the choir quickly awakened my love for music and set me on a path to become the artist I am today. However, for most of my life I denied myself the opportunity to fully pursue music. When I was 16 I decided to act on a calling I believe I had to become a minister and obtained my license to preach. Naturally, I wanted to fit the mold of a typical preacher and felt that my style of music didn’t align with my ministry. I didn’t want to disappoint my family, friends, or church members so I chose to preach rather than be an artist.

After years of hiding, creating an alias (God Remember), and receiving advice from my dear friend/current manager, Shaq, I decided that music was my ministry. In early 2020 I finally began being more transparent about my love for music by performing more often and releasing more material under the alias. In April of 2022, I released a project titled ‘Born Again’ and decided to begin using my actual name Nelo. Since then I’ve intertwined my calling to preach with music. I make intentional music that feels spiritual. It’s not gospel but my sound includes theologies I’ve formed, is based in love, and is most relatable for people who need something to believe in.

Nowadays I’m blessed to be a part of a congregation of artists who believe in collective power and the ministry of music! We do independent shows around the city, run a non-profit together (The Kaleidoscope Project IG: TKPROJECTCO), and do dope SHIT! I’m undoubtedly surrounded by the best artist in the city.

It took a lot for me to realize that what people expected me to be didn’t matter. It took me time to be transparent with my family and friends but when I did, they accepted me. I am everything I thought I couldn’t be and more.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road hasn’t always been smooth. I’ll speak to our most recent struggle as black artists. Coming to Denver from Atlanta I quickly became familiar with the intricacies of culture shock. This is a predominantly white state and can be seemingly progressive but the truth it’s particularly hard for black artists. To me, Denver is a city that is smothered with talent and incredible artists. Yet, the culture here is re-developing and so it’s difficult to identify spaces or opportunites where we as artist feel valued.

Oftentimes, I think about how India Arie is from Denver and not too many people in the city sings her praises or will play her music. Most cities have a set culture and that culture births artists from local spaces. We have to learn to appreciate talent IN the city and innovate what the path to success looks like for back artists/creators coming out of Denver.

This requires Denver to do some intentional work beyond the charitable showcases with all black lineups. We want the main stage shows too. It requires Denver’s music industry to be open to more than just the same handful of black artists who are presented opportunities. It requires collaborative effort to tell our stories. All in all, I think Denver has the potential to be landing spot for artist pursuing music careers. There’s just work to do.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Kaleidoscope Project is a non-profit powered by my friend/fellow artist Kerrie Joy and me. The mission of the non-profit is to activate collective power in BIPOC spaces. Most recently, we’ve been doing this through community and cultural fortitude. We are one of the few black-led nonprofits in Denver.

This past semester we taught Music TheRAPy to high school students at Prep Academy and Empower School. In addition, we also run a series of festivals with all-black business vendors and entertainers. We are pleased to announce that we just received a 100,000.00 dollar grant from one of our funders to continue our work at both schools.

The Kaleidoscope Project allows Kerrie Joy and me to make the music we create more than just songs. We have this beautiful opportunity to build community and narrate the process through sound. We get to create spaces for black creatives, future artists and current music artists alike!

How do you define success?
To me, success is when someone says one of my songs helped them get through something. Success is achieving equity and breaking the glass ceiling for black artists coming out of Denver. Success is getting booked twice in one night at Dazzle and selling out the first show a week in advance. Success is having the means to make sure my family is taken care of. Success is waking up and having the opportunity to make music.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thekaleidoscopeproject.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gr.nelo/
• Other: linktr.ee/GRNelo

Image Credits
IG: @ryanlandell, @Aloebydesign, @high_shutter_productions