Anjulie: The Guyanese-Canadian voice shaping global pop with viral hits like “Chai & Sunshine”

From the vibrant streets of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to the streaming charts of the world, singer-songwriter Anjulie Persaud has carved a unique path through the music industry—one that is deeply rooted in her Guyanese heritage.
Anjulie, who goes by her first name professionally, is more than a pop artist: she is a cultural bridge, an entrepreneur, and a genre-bending force in modern music.
“Music was always playing in my house,” she recalls during an interview with the Guyana Times. “From Calypso to Country, it was a blend that mirrored my family’s multicultural identity.”
Anjulie’s roots trace back to Georgetown and Essequibo Coast, Guyana, where her parents grew up. This heritage plays a central role in her identity and in her sound.
“My Guyanese heritage is a huge part of who I am,” she says. “Growing up, my house wasn’t the place for cookies and Doritos. My friends were trying fruits like papaya and mango for the first time.”
Though born and raised in the GTA in Canadian culture, her mother ensured that Guyanese traditions—especially through food and music—remained intact.
This cultural fusion—Caribbean, South Asian, and Canadian—has shaped the way Anjulie writes and performs. “Being part of the Guyanese diaspora means navigating the duality of these cultures,” she says.
Anjulie wrote her first song at just 13 years old. Inspired by musicals like The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables, her early songs bore hints of theatricality. She recalls that songwriting was an early therapeutic experience, encouraging her in a journey that would soon become unstoppable.
With a knack for instantly picking up melodies, she felt pulled toward songwriting as a powerful form of expression. “I was drawn to the idea that someone could write something that millions of people could sing along to, and I wanted to be that kind of artist,” she expressed.
At 19, Anjulie took a leap of faith, telling her mother she was visiting a friend in Montreal, but instead, she bought a one-way ticket to New York City. There, she busked in subway stations, stood outside record label offices, and cold-pitched herself to anyone who would listen.
Eventually, a music manager heard her demo and introduced her to StarCon Records, a short-lived but influential joint venture between Starbucks and Concord Records. Anjulie was signed alongside Sia, and her debut album Anjulie soon followed—earning critical acclaim, an MTV VMA nomination, and a contract with a major label.
However, despite several Canadian hits like “Brand New Chick”, “You and I”, and “Stand Behind the Music”, her label did not release the tracks in the United States (US). Frustrated by the lack of creative control, she made the bold decision to go independent. That decision led her to writing for global icons including Cher Lloyd, Nicki Minaj, and Kelly Clarkson. Among those songs were: “Stand Behind The Music” (Cher Lloyd), “The Boys” (Nicki Minaj), “In The Blue” (Kelly Clarkson).
She also collaborated with international DJs on streaming hits like “Fly Away” with TheFatRat, “Alone” with Marnik and KSHMR, and “Supernatural” with Boombox Cartel.
As an independent artist, Anjulie has amassed over one billion streams, while maintaining full creative and financial control.
Her 2008 songwriting debut “Don’t Call Me Baby” for Kreesha Turner hit #8 on the Canadian Hot 100—proof that her pen had power.
Her breakout solo single, “Brand New Chick”, began as a freestyle over a track by friend Michel Zitron. “I wrote it in about 15 minutes,” she says. “I had no idea it would blow up, but I always loved a good female empowerment anthem.”
Today, Anjulie’s most recent success, “Chai and Sunshine”, is a sonic shift—less club anthem, more soulful affirmation. “It’s about finding joy in simplicity,” she says. “A warm cup of tea, the sun on your skin, a breath in the middle of chaos.”
Lyrics like “I believing, receiving with every breath that I’m breathing, not competing this season, I gotta meditate” reflect her current values: mindfulness, self-care, and emotional clarity.
The song resonated—especially with women navigating similar wellness journeys. When ‘Chai and Sunshine’ blew up on social media, it felt surreal for the Guyanese-Canadian artiste.
The song even caught the attention of celebrities like Rihanna and Selena Gomez who used it as soundtracks on their Instagram stories.
“Throughout my career, people have struggled to figure out how to market me—because of my ethnicity, my genre-blending sound, and the fact that I’ve never quite fit into a box. But with Chai and Sunshine, the audience found itself. The people connecting to the song feel like a natural extension of my own world,” Anjulie noted.
Being an independent artist has not always been easy. “The industry favours major labels,” she explains. “You need to fund your own projects, fight for visibility, and build your own team.”
Yet, with a deep entrepreneurial streak, Anjulie has learned to do just that. She uses social media not just as a promotional tool, but as a platform to build genuine community.
“There were moments of burnout,” she admits. “But mindfulness, therapy, and surrounding myself with like-minded people helped me find balance.”
Guyanese influence, global reach
Her Guyanese identity continues to shape her work. “Guyanese culture is a natural blend of worlds,” she says. “That genre-bending nature inspires how I create music.” Songs like “In the Quiet”, a tribute to her Indo-Guyanese lineage, highlight themes of resilience and generational strength.
Though she hasn’t yet visited Guyana, a trip—and a performance—are high on her list.
Anjulie is currently working on a new album focused on self-love, mindfulness, and wellness. With tracks like “Chai and Sunshine” leading the way, the project is a reflection of where she is now, not just as an artist, but as a woman.
She also remains proud of past projects like her pandemic-era album Loveless Metropolis, and her debut album Anjulie, which still holds a special place in her heart.
With hundreds of songs released and a growing global fan base, Anjulie continues to prove that you do not need a major label to make a major impact—you just need heart, hustle, and a story worth telling.