How Channel Tres Became Electronic Musics Most Intriguing Voice

You might’ve heard his distinctively deep voice on the radio lately – Channel Tres, born Sheldon Jerome Young, has carved out a fascinating niche in today’s vast music scene. By seamlessly fusing Detroit techno, Chicago house, and West Coast rap, he’s created something that feels both familiar and completely fresh. Born May 26, 1991, in Compton, California, Young’s path from a local church choir drummer to international sensation tells a story of musical evolution that’s anything but ordinary.

Growing up between Compton and Lynwood in southern Los Angeles, Young was raised by his great-grandparents, spending countless Sundays behind the church drum kit. It’s funny how life works sometimes – a piece of advice from Kendrick Lamar about stepping outside one’s comfort zone led Young to pack his bags for Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he studied music at Oral Roberts University. Looking back, that bold move set the stage for everything that followed.

When “Controller” dropped on Godmode, nobody quite knew what to make of it – in the best possible way. His voice, deep enough to give Barry White a run for his money, paired unexpectedly with a fresh take on Detroit House filtered through a distinctly West Coast lens. The result? Pure magic that had everyone asking, “Who is this guy?”

These days, Channel Tres is pulling some serious numbers on streaming platforms. We’re talking over 3.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify, with “I’ve Been In Love” approaching the 100-million-stream mark. Not far behind, “Topdown” is sitting pretty at around 61 million plays. Remember his 2020 EP “i can’t go outside”? That thing crashed into Spotify’s Top 10 US Album Debuts like a meteor, bringing along some pretty impressive friends – Tyler, the Creator and Tinashe among them.

His latest offering, “Head Rush” (2024), feels like opening someone’s diary – if that diary happened to be set to an irresistible beat. Spread across 17 tracks, it’s raw and real, dealing with everything from personal transformation to profound loss. The project became a way for Channel to process some heavy stuff: losing his great-grandparents, saying goodbye to a close friend, and figuring out how to navigate success without losing himself in the process.

Behind the scenes, Channel Tres has been busy putting in work with some of music’s biggest names. From Kaytranada to Ty Dolla $ign and Tyler, The Creator, his collaborative resume reads like a who’s who of contemporary music. But it’s his production work that really gave him the insider’s perspective on how this industry ticks.

When you listen closely to his music, you can hear echoes of LA legends like DJ Quik and Dr. Dre mingling with funk pioneers George Clinton and Prince. What’s cool is how naturally it all comes together – Channel isn’t trying to be experimental; he’s just following his instincts and creating something that feels right to him.

You can catch glimpses of his Compton roots in everything he does, from his production style to the way he moves on stage. Those early days in dance crews didn’t just keep him out of trouble – they helped shape the artist we see today. Check out his moves on Instagram or YouTube, and you’ll see what I mean.

Want to dive deeper into Channel Tres’ world? You can find most of his discography on Apple Music, where his evolution as an artist is on full display. From those early church choir days to selling out venues worldwide, Channel Tres represents a new breed of artist – one who respects tradition while fearlessly charting his own course through the musical landscape.

What makes Channel Tres particularly interesting is how he’s managed to stay true to his roots while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in modern music. He’s proof that sometimes the most innovative sounds come from simply being honest about who you are and where you’re from. In an industry that often prizes formula over authenticity, Channel Tres continues to show us that there’s still plenty of room for artists who dare to be different — and we’re here for it.