Cheflodeezy Weighs in On “Ecstacy” (feat. TeeJay) – Rough Sex Remix

In the clip for his 2023 underground hit “She Don’t Belong to Me,” Cheflodeezy stunts on a four-wheeled motorcycle. He pops wheelies and spins in circles as he rhymes; he takes chances, but he never slips. It’s a potent visual metaphor for the rapper’s approach. Cheflodeezy is excitable and propulsive, and his performances foreground his risk-taking and his inexhaustible energy. Yet as crazy as he gets, the power of his engine — and his essential stability — lets fans know there’s no chance he’s ever going to crash.

What keeps this artist grounded? There’s his undeniable talent, his imagination, his skill at collaboration, and his unshakable confidence in himself. All that helps. But Cheflodeezy is also the inheritor of one of the great traditions in hip-hop: he’s a Miami rapper. And Miami rappers don’t fall.

On “Ecstasy,” Cheflodeezy shows his listeners exactly how much he can juggle, and how seamlessly he can combine styles, even when he’s going as hard as he can. His latest single is a sizzling fusion of American hip-hop, Afrobeats, and Nigerian pop, dancehall, and reggae, all melted together and seared in the Miami sun. Cheflodeezy makes the most of modern production techniques and vocal processing, but his rhymes are as raw and as thrilling as an impromptu Caribbean beachside party. He burns through the first verse with the combination of urgency and economy that has made him a name to know in South Florida independent music — and then he turns the microphone over to Jamaican star TeeJay, whose summer single “Drift” made waves worldwide. Their voices match perfectly: one rambunctious, fiery, and pleading, and the other ocean-cool, heat-hazy, and deeply melodic.

In Steven Bernard’s “Ecstasy” clip, Cheflodeezy lets the viewer know exactly where he’s coming from. He raps in front of neon Miami signs (and a neon palm tree, too!), crouching, pivoting, and swiveling on his hips to give his words extra emphasis. Elsewhere, Bernard’s camera finds the rapper in a dreamworld of light refraction: a corridor made of brilliant silver foil. A trio of dancers provides a visual echo, winding to the beat in formation, responding to the thunderous beat, the delicious synthesizers, and the sound of Cheflodeezy’s roughneck delivery. Finally, we’re sent down a long tunnel of pure white light. When the music is as intense as this, the thrill of acceleration is destination enough.

The young lion weighed in on his journey, new video, and what’s next

The song’s name is very erotic and bold. Why did you decide to go on this route?

Music is a form of artistic expression, and I don’t believe in limiting my outlook on what I create. It can be controversial or bold to your point, but life itself can as such. Plus my view is that I make grown people music lol.

When did you first start making music?

I started making music at about 9 years old. I explored beat-making and then fully embraced song creation and performance. It’s been great having this as a creative outlet.

What music artist would you compare your music to?

On the dancehall side, I would say Popcaan. Mostly because of the diversity in his lyrical content. On the rap side, I would go with Mozzy.

Is the number one message that you try to express to your fans in your music?

Be yourself and never limit yourself. Our experience makes us who we are and we should always embrace that in my view.

What do you think makes your music special? What kind of makes it stand out from other peoples music?

It’s always based on a true story, lol. My life experiences are always the paint and canvas I use. I also unapologetically mix dancehall and rap influences, which is core to my musical sound.

Is there a certain type of energy or feeling that you try to show in your music?

I try to express a variety of musical and human emotions in my music. As I say, it’s based on my life, and life has its ups and downs. So there are various energies in my music, but it always skews positive and uplifting.

If you were about to play your music for the first time for someone, what would you tell them to expect?

Above all else, originality and good time.

The music video is absolutely cinematic, what was your creative thought process behind it?

We were going for a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde on the run vibe. We went to the California desert for some of the scenes. It turned out well.

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About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.