Brooklyn native CJ FLY just released his single, “City We From”. The title of the single is
pretty self explanatory: CJ wants to talk to the world about the city he comes from. CJ
FLY is one of the founding members of Pro Era. His artistry is well known across music
platforms and communities, and his new highly anticipated album is due out next year.
The title track of the album, “RUDEBWOY” pays homage to CJ’s Carribean roots while
adding some of his own hip hop flavor into the mix. We caught up with CJ to discuss his
previous on air performance with Joey Bada$$ on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy
Fallon during the summer, his relationship with Joey Bada$$ and more.
RESPECT.: With you being one of the founding members for Pro Era, tell us what will be next?
A lot of new music coming soon. I know all my pros got they solo projects on the way.
RESPECT.: How did the start of the relationship of you and Joey Bada$$ start? Describe.
Joey and I went to the same high school. We rapped together in cyphers in the halls of
Murrow. We were like-minded individuals and both wanted to pursue music. I remember
before Pro Era was even an idea, we did a performance at our high school festival. We
been partners in rhyme ever since.
RESPECT.: Coming from Brooklyn, tell me a little bit about your upbringing and who inspired
you to be in the hip-hop game.
I was raised in a Caribbean household on mainly reggae music. I remember when I was
young getting driven to school and learning rap songs from Hot 97. I have this vivid
memory as kid watching Biggie Small’s “Sky Is The Limit” video with the child actors in
it. It inspired younger me to be a musician and made me fall in love with hip hop culture.
Other than buying bootlegs, I got some of my first albums off LimeWire and got
inspiration from De La Soul, Phife Dawg, from A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes and
other Caribbean’s rappers who paid homage to the roots. I never wanted to do anything
else. I stuck to that and made sure to pursue my dreams.
RESPECT.: What will be next for CJ in 2020?
My album “RUDEBWOY” is on the way and I’m looking forward to having my first solo
tour. I want to spread the word and expand the fly movement. I want to bring some more
caribbean flavor to hip-hop along with the bars.
RESPECT.: You made an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon during the
summer by performing “Left Hand” with Beast Coast. Tell us your experience about that.
It was one of the best moments of my life. To be there with some of my best friends and
family was a very special moment. It was the best 8-12 bars I ever rapped in my life and it
was a humbling experience.
RESPECT.: I know you have been waiting to release your album ever since, you got off tour
with Joey Bada$$, Flatbush Zombies and others. What was the experience being on tour with
the guys?
This was the second Beast Coast tour ever. The first Beast Coast tour was back in 2013
in the beginning of our careers. To be able to come back together as established artists
was amazing. We were like Voltron. Every time I performed, I learned from my mistakes
by studying and seeing what works. Took notes on what I can do to improve.
Yes. Definitely a similar sound, mixed with others. The album has a modern day classic
feel. A lot of people will say it sounds old school but this is just what hip-hop sounds like
in 2020 from emcees in NY.
RESPECT.: Will it be a similar sound or fee on this anticipated album with the two singles you had released?
The album will be a modern day classic. A lot of people will see it as an old school feel. With a new decade, this is what hip-hop will sound like now and some good rap.
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