Dynamte Talks About Her Recent Dhar Mann Role And Meaning Behind Single “Checkmate”

A singer you need to know!

Marisa Kouroubacalis, known more so by her artist name Dynamyte, has been making a name for herself in the music industry. Her songs are catchy, relatable, and her newest single “Checkmate” is no different.

We had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Dynamyte about Michael and Marisa, her recent acting role, and more!

How did you go about coming up with your stage name Dynamyte?

D: “Dynamyte was a nickname I got in the recording studio when I was a kid. I’ve always been tiny but had a ton of energy, and especially when I’m slamming on the drums, it felt like the perfect way to capture that spark. The name stuck because it represents both my size and my explosive energy on stage.”

Many fans got to know you from performing with your brother as the duo Michael and Marisa! What was that experience like?

D: “From age 8 to 18, I spent over a decade touring as part of Michael & Marisa, opening for artists like Ariana Grande, Christina Perri, Cody Simpson, and more. We played over 400 shows, toured nonstop, and learned how to write, record, and perform together. That rare experience gave me the foundation I still carry with me today. Music has always been my home, and growing up in it while sharing the stage with my brother shaped me in ways I’ll always be grateful for.”

Congratulations on your latest single “Checkmate”! Can you walk us through how the song came to be?

D: “’Checkmate’ is about knowing your worth, standing your ground, and flipping the script when someone underestimates you. It sets the tone for this new era. It’s confident, bold, and unapologetic, while still rooted in that soulful sound that’s always been part of me. My longtime friend and collaborator, Myah Marie, connected me with Damon Sharpe before starting this project and just knew it would be a fit. Working with him has been incredible – he has a way of taking a raw idea and building an entire world around it. Between him and the iconic musicians who play with RAYE, Teddy Swims, Sabrina Carpenter, and Pharrell, the result is music that feels timeless yet still fresh and relevant.”

This is the first single from your upcoming album! Can you tease what fans can expect from the project?

D: “Fans can expect a journey. Each single shows a different side of me – sometimes playful, sometimes vulnerable, sometimes fiery. I’m opening up about parts of my life I’ve never shared before, which is terrifying but also thrilling. Each song is its own chapter, and together they tell a larger story. The through-line is authenticity. By the end of the project, I want listeners to feel like they’ve truly gotten to know me, not just as an artist but as a person.”

You recently starred in a Dhar Mann project! Do you aspire to continue pursuing an acting career? What would your dream role be?

D: “I’ve always loved acting as another way to express myself creatively. Working with Dhar Mann has been such a blessing, and I’d love to continue filming projects with their team. My dream role is actually a bit out of left field – I’ve always wanted to be in a horror movie. When I was younger, I saw Orphan and immediately thought, “I want to do that.” What I love about horror is that there are no rules. The little girl can end up being the murderer, and the unexpected can happen. That freedom – the ability to defy expectations – feels really empowering, and I’d love to bring that to the screen someday.”

Make sure to stream “Checkmate”, available now on all music platforms!

Je’Kayla Crawford– Founder and Director– Je’Kayla has been a journalist for years and decided to start a publication of her own, New Scene Magazine, back in October 2020. When not helping her team and working on their print issues, you can find her watching a movie on Netflix or baking using a viral TikTok recipe.