“There is a force of revolution in her which is realized with sophisticated experimentals and elegant progressions.” – Apollo’s Harp (review of Momento Mori)
Chellcy Reitsma’s journey into music was born from both pain and transformation. The Dutch-American award-winning singer-songwriter, visual artist, and poet has turned life’s challenges into art that defies convention. Now based full-time in Malta, EU, and part-time in Nashville, TN, Chellcy has become known for her clever, poetic lyrics and an unmistakable sound that blends and blurs the lines between blues, rock, and Americana. The result is a unique, vintage fusion with a film-noir edge—music that vibrates with warm melancholy and hopeful strength.
Before finding her voice in music, Chellcy was a professional dancer until a series of severe injuries ended that career and left her in a wheelchair for over a year. It was during this time of stillness that she began writing songs and singing—discovering not only a new talent but also a new purpose. “It helped me fight depression and gave me hope,” she reflects. From that moment forward, her artistry has been rooted in resilience and self-discovery.
From Memento Mori to Carpe Diem
Chellcy’s debut album, Momento Mori, released in November 2024, marked a milestone in her career following the success of her 18 singles and Black Water EP. In Malta, her music videos have topped local charts several times, while critics praised her album’s depth and elegance. Momento Mori also earned her the 2024 MMI Award for Album of the Year in Malta.
Her achievements extend beyond borders. She placed second in the Unsigned Only (Sync Your Song) competition in 2019, was a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition in 2023 for her track “She-man,” and received an Artist in Residency INOVAIR award from the Valletta Cultural Agency in 2020 for her Desolate Days music project. Chellcy is also a Grammy voting member, a testament to her credibility and influence in the industry.
“If any artist has the capacity to inspire change, it’s Chellcy Reitsma.” – A&R Factory
Now, with her new album Carpe Diem set for release on October 24, 2025, Chellcy continues the story that began with Momento Mori. The two projects form a double concept album exploring life, death, and the beauty of transformation.
Memento mori in Latin means “remember you must die,” but Chellcy gave the phrase a new interpretation by changing it to Momento Mori. “I don’t want to spend more than a moment dwelling on it,” she explains, “so that the concept of it only serves to fuel zest for life.”
Part two, Carpe Diem—popularly translated as “seize the day”—represents the other side of that understanding: living life fully, embracing the present, and moving forward without regret. As Chellcy puts it, “Once you understand and respect memento mori, then live life to the fullest, without restraint or regret, make the most of the present and seize the day!”
“The eclectic Chanteuse glides over a fantasia of tastefully spaced reverbs, fervent instrumental backgrounds, and a chorus that captivates immediately.” – BUZZ Music LA
The Artist’s Statement
“My mission as an artist to create music, poetry and art that is authentic, honest, deeply personal, inspirational, and empowering; that speaks to people and touches an emotional chord; that has a lot of symbolism with multiple layers of meaning and depth.
I believe it is my job as an artist is to express that which is unspoken, to think out of the box and remain genre-less; to create free from the constraints of artistic ‘rules’ and to challenge societal ‘norms’. I want to inspire people to follow their dreams and take a risk on themselves at any age and at anytime in their life, to believe in themselves and never stop seizing the day.
I want to draw inspiration from my life and to utilise all of my artistic talents (visual art, music, poetry) by bringing them together in my productions. Art quantifies soul. Soul quantifies consciousness. Consciousness creates our universe. Universal Consciousness has the power to change our reality.”
– Chellcy Reitsma
Art as Transformation
Chellcy Reitsma’s story is a testament to the power of art to heal and transform. From her beginnings as a dancer to becoming a celebrated musician and visual artist, she continues to challenge norms, redefine genres, and inspire others to live boldly and authentically. Through her music, poetry, and visual art, she reminds the world that even in darkness, there is always light—and within every ending, a new beginning waiting to be seized.
