David Chance: The Power of One

Day 1 | Black Futures Cypher – The Power of One

Meet David Chance, the dynamic force behind the legendary R&B duo Ruff Endz. While his name may be new to some, his voice, pen, and musical imprint have long shaped the sound of modern R&B. With two platinum singles, two gold albums, and timeless hits like “Someone to Love Me” and the Billboard #1 R&B anthem “No More (Shopping Spree),” David’s legacy is firmly etched among the genre’s greats.

Beyond captivating audiences around the world with Ruff Endz, David has stepped into a powerful new chapter—using his voice to uplift, motivate, and empower. When he’s not on global stages, he pours his passion into inspiring others as a public speaker, content creator, and minister of the Gospel, blending music and message as tools for transformation. With a highly anticipated solo project on the horizon, this moment invites audiences to experience the depth, authenticity, and purpose of a true music legend evolving in real time.

The Power of One

For David Chance, The Power of One is deeply personal. He describes it as the reminder that real change always begins with a single courageous voice—“like a voice crying out in the wilderness.” As an artist, he sees it as a responsibility to speak truth even when it isn’t popular, creating from a place of integrity. As a community member, he emphasizes that every voice matters: “It just takes one act of service to inspire the momentum needed for change to catch fire.”

Art as Narrative and Healing

David’s art is rooted in reclaiming narrative and expanding how Black excellence is seen and felt. His work reflects growth, healing, purpose, and faith—honest stories grounded in experience and hope. He believes Black futures are not limited by the past but strengthened by it, echoing a line that has guided him from the film Gladiator: “What we do today will echo through eternity.”

The Black Futures Cypher Contribution

His piece for the Black Futures Cypher was inspired by the tension between where we’ve been and where we are called to go. David wanted the message to feel both empowering and grounding—reminding listeners that their presence and voice matter. His hope is that audiences walk away challenged, encouraged, and newly aware of the power God has placed in each of us to drive change together.

Roots, Influence, and Baltimore

David first gives praise to God for the talents and abilities he carries, then points to family as his earliest influence. Born in Baltimore to a musical family that migrated from Guyana, South America, he grew up immersed in a strong Guyanese culture that shaped his understanding of creativity and community. Baltimore itself has been one of his greatest teachers—instilling resilience, grit, and an unmatched sense of collective spirit. From elders to youth, the city’s people have poured into him, shaping the creative force he is today.

One Action Toward Collective Change

Asked what individuals can do right now, David keeps it grounded and actionable: be intentional with your influence. Support local creators. Speak life into your community. Mentor someone. Show up consistently where you’re needed. “Collective change doesn’t always begin with grand gestures,” he says. “It starts with daily discipline and care for one another.”

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About the Series: 28 Days of Black Futures

This artist profile is part of 28 Days of Black Futures, a month-long cultural offering presented by CLLCTIVLY, a Baltimore-rooted ecosystem cultivating collective imagination, narrative power, and resource mobilization for Black futures.

Throughout February, the award-winning Black Futures Cypher—architected by Jamye Wooten and produced under the creative direction of Von Vargas—features 28 artists, one each day, sharing original work inspired by this year’s theme: The Power of One.

A new artist feature will be released daily during Black History Month. Learn more and support the ecosystem behind this work at cllctivly.org.