Agalisiga “Chuj” Mackey is a Cherokee guitarist/musician and singer-songwriter from the Cherokee Nation in Northeast Oklahoma. Chuj spent the early years of his life growing up on a creek bank in the small traditional Cherokee community of Kenwood. Chuj then moved to Tahlequah, the Cherokee Nation capital, to become a language learner at the Cherokee Immersion Charter School. Chuj grew up participating in traditional ceremonies, ceremonial songs being the foundation of his voice which he carries with him as he creates more contemporary music. Chuj writes and sings original country-folk and blues music in the Cherokee language. He is inspired by classic country/blues artists like Jimmy Rodgers, R.L. Burnside, Merle Haggard, etc. Cherokee life and culture also informs his music as he sings about both the struggles and joys of growing up in a Cherokee community. Additionally, he has performed at various events including the Cherokee National Holiday, the grand opening of the Bob Dylan Center, and the Anvdvnelisgi album concert in Cherokee, North Carolina. His latest achievement was being featured as a “Desk of the Day” and a “Top Shelf” pick as part of the NPR Tiny Desk Concert Contest 2024, highlighted as a top 45 artist out of 7000 submissions. His goal is to perpetuate the Cherokee language and culture. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Chuj is a graduate of the Cherokee Language Master Apprenticeship program, music educator, and a father to two sons who he plans to teach both the Cherokee language and music to. He released his debut full-length album in October of 2024 and plans to release a second album at the end of summer, 2026.
