Too Fly to be Trapped: Pro Era’s CJ Fly Talks New Project, Capital Steez + More..

Throughout the history of hip-hop, groups have always been the highlight of genre. A crew of roughnecks from Staten Island named Wu-Tang captivated the nation with their gritty crime raps. A silky smooth duo from Atlanta named Outkast put the South on the map in a big way with their smooth player rhymes. In 2012, a crew of teens from Flatbush, Brooklyn let the world know they would be next in line with their golden aged beats and lyrically dense bars. That crew is Pro Era. Headed by frontman Joey Badass, PE is no one man show. Far from it actually. The crew boats a loaded roster of emcees that range in many styles. The late founding member Capital Steez is a folk legend, producer, Kirk Knight released his debut project to critical acclaim last year, but it’s was the suave storytelling wordsmith CJ Fly who has always caught my eye.

After releasing his debut mixtape, Thee Way Eye See It to critical and fan acclaim, the Brooklyn native took a bit of hiatus from the music game. But now, Master Roshe is back and better than ever, meshing new sounds with fan favorite rhymes to create the self dubbed, Fly Trap style. Though a 3-year hiatus would destroy most, Fly isn’t most rappers. After dropping a few recent singles, The lyrical menace has kept his fans and rap purists on the edge of their seats in anticipation for his next project. RESPECT. got a chance to catch up with the PE Soldier to talk about his new project, Capital Steez, and a potential new Pro Era posse cut.

RESPECT.: What’s going on CJ? How have you been?

CJ: Just been working, honing in on my craft, and figuring it all out, so I can’t complain.

RESPECT.: What’s your day to day life like nowadays?

CJ: My day to day life is pretty chill. I don’t have a crazy schedule yet so I try to take advantage of not being the busiest. For the most part, I’m usually listening or working on music when I wake up. When I’m not doing that, I chill with my 2 pitbulls, maybe put something in the air, and watch movies for inspiration.

RESPECT.: Talk about growing up in Brooklyn & how that was?

CJ: Growing up in Brooklyn had its positives and negatives but I wouldn’t wanna grow up anywhere else. My parents both came from two different islands in the West Indies to Brooklyn, then met and made me. This city raised me and taught me all I know. Brooklyn schooled me on life.

RESPECT.: You tell the wildest stories on your music, (i.e. Eyetalian Frenchip) are those just rhymes or is your life really that interesting? Lol

CJ: (Laughs) Funny you asked. The story and girl are real minus the part where I’m being questioned and threatened. The second verse was all personification about a gun. Few years ago, I was briefly involved with this Italian girl and both of her parents were cops, which scared the hell out of me at the time, so I never really pursued her. As I would think about her, my imagination would be messing with me and making me think all of these things could have potentially occurred so I just put all that energy into the song.

RESPECT.: On the B-side of “Loco Motives” you have “Do it For the Love” I first heard this track at the Smoker’s Club Tour in Phoenix in 2013, & it took me forever to find the track lol what made you keep that one hidden?

CJ: It wasn’t on purpose, I never meant to make it hidden. It was honestly a dumb decision. That was me trying to squeeze 21 tracks on a 18 song mixtape. It deserved its own track for sure, but definitely a personal and fan favorite. Gonna re-release it soon.

RESPECT.: You’ve got a D’angelo sample on the tape! Was that something chosen by the producer or are you a fan? Brown Sugar changed my life!

CJ: I heard the bet and fell in love with it instantly. It was all Chuck Strangers idea and production. I was a huge D’angelo fan prior to hearing it so when I found out it was him I wanted to use it even more. My favorite songs of his are “Devils Pie” and “Brown Sugar”

RESPECT.: Same question about the “Friend or Foe” sample, also, how much of an influence did somebody like Jay play for you growing up in Brooklyn?

CJ: At first, I was scared to use the sample because I didn’t want any legal issues but I eventually got over it. Growing up in Brooklyn, I was familiar with the name Jay Z and knew his songs that were on the radio but I didn’t fully get it yet. As I got older, I became aware of his talent and true identity, then it all made sense. He became one of my biggest role models. He showed me the blueprint to being a lyricist and a God emcee. If anybody showed you how to be a Brooklynite, it was him.

RESPECT.: What’s going on with Pro Era? Has the success made it harder for everybody to come together or do you guys still keep in contact often?

CJ: Whole squad just been working. We all still live in Brooklyn so it wouldn’t make sense for us to not stay in touch. We link up as often as possible and when we’re not together everyone is perfecting their art til it’s right. So much growth personally, physically and musically. I could honestly say all my Pros are progressing in some way shape or form.

RESPECT.: Any crew projects in the works?

CJ: YES, we’ve started it and have the title.

RESPECT.: Last year, we heard Dizzy Wright & Funk Volume issue a 500K Rap Battle Challenge to any crew out there. Obviously their label is done now, but be honest.. That would’ve been a W for Pro Era, what 3 would you guys have put up against Hopsin, Dizzy, & Jarren Benton?

CJ: Dizzy is family but we would have had to eat their food. It would have been me, Joey and Dirty Sanchez.

RESPECT.: I went to Steez Day in L.A. This past month, and it was wild. Talk about the impact Steez had on you & your music? What’s one thing he told you that still rings in your head to this day?

CJ: Steez taught me a lot of what I know about rap, lyricism and spirituality. I understood punchlines and lyrics to a certain extent but was oblivious of what double entendres were until I met him. He’s my motivation to go hard, I know how much he believed in me and the Pros. His birthday is the day after mine and I still always looked up to him like he was older by a few years. Most vivid thing he told me was, “you’re the nicest”, I’m still trine figure out if he meant with rap or as a person, I think rap haha.

RESPECT.: What’s your favorite Steez song?

CJ: Either “Herban Legend“, “47 Elements” or “Budderscotch”

RESPECT.: What’s your favorite Pro Era track?

CJ: So many, either “Last Cypher“, “Like Water” or “Suspect”

RESPECT.: How did it feel to have Phife Dawg & Buckshot on your debut project?? That’s gotta be huge for a kid from New York!

CJ: That was a complete honor and very legendary. I still can’t believe I did that. Very thankful that Phife Dawg blessed the song with a classic verse, God rest his soul. He’s one of the main reasons I started rapping, had so much style and character. And Buckshot is a Brooklyn OG and a legend, so to get that stamp of approval made me feel very accomplished for the first project.

RESPECT.: Who’s one artist or producer that you’ve yet to work with, that you’re looking to come together with?

CJ: I wanna work with D’angelo one day and co-produce a song with Kanye soon.

RESPECT.: What can we expect on the new project? On “Raising the Bar” you sounded a bit more modern as opposed to the grimy style that was on the way eye see it. Are you going for a more trap direction?

CJ: Expect some great beats, quality vibrations and lyrical clarity. It kind of sums up my life experiences in the past few years. As time passed, I’ve gotten a better understanding of how to make music and how to say what I feel. I think with this next project, I didn’t compromise my sound but more or less took the trap elements and combined it with my sound. I don’t think I’ve even established a sound for myself yet so this should show how universal I am.

RESPECT.: The Way Eye See it came out in 2013! You’ve been holding out on us! Why the hiatus in releasing music?

CJ: I actually rushed putting out TWESI at 19/20 years old, I was very eager to be heard and get my music out to the world. Being that I’m 23 years old now, I’ve assessed my previous moves and learned to not make the same mistake made before. Now, I’ve just been taking my time with the art, putting my best foot forward. I’d rather give people something timeless and enjoyable than something I threw together. I think it will be appreciated.

RESPECT.: You have a lot of movie references on the tape, most notably the Bronx Tale bit, what’s your favorite movie ever?

CJ: I don’t know if I have a favorite movie ever. I love action movies, my favorite actor is Bruce Willis and favorite director is Tarantino, so anything they’ve done is my shit.

RESPECT.: Last question: I remember back in the day you called yourself master roshe, design your ideal Roshe!

CJ: I’m still Master Roshi/Roshe and that’s because of my love for the DragonBall Z series first then my love for the sneaker. They need to stop fronting and let me design my own shoe already.

Check out CJ’s newest track, “Raising The Bar” below and keep an eye out for his next project.