Born and raised in Detroit, Chasey The Illest blends raw storytelling with cinematic production, often drawing on themes like grief, purpose and doubt. His first music dropped in 2015, and since then, he’s built a steady following with honesty, sharpness and soul in his music. His new single ‘Tweakin’ follows a standout performance on On The Radar and a tour slot with Marlon Craft. With his new EP Cirrus Clouds on the way, we caught up with this burgeoning talent.
We were first introduced to your new single, ‘Tweakin’, when it debuted on On The Radar. What did it mean to you to reveal such a personal record on such a wide-reaching platform?
I felt like it was a chance to introduce the world to who I really am. A lot of artists nowadays have gimmicks. I’m not one of those; I enjoy showcasing my vulnerable side with the hope that someone who relates can feel understood or overcome their situation.
The song is laced with anxiety and reflection, and references the first time you got high. Is that balance of emotions and that experience particularly poignant for you, either personally or creatively, and how does that manifest?
Yeah, it is, extremely, specifically on the personal side. I’ve had some sort of PTSD with smoking ever since that day, and now, admittedly, overreact around weed smoke any time I can smell it. I think I’m getting better, but that was almost 10 years ago, and that experience still lingers. It used to be somewhat embarrassing to be around people and have to explain it to people, but now everybody around me knows I’m the wrong person to pass it to in the rotation unless you want your high blown haha.
Is there a reason the track is set as the closer for your upcoming EP? How does it fit into the project’s wider purpose and ideas?
I’ll be honest, it just sounded like an outro. For me, I personally didn’t have a specific reason, but hey, if it blows up, maybe the music critics can come up with theories and give it meaning. Make it bigger than I could ever imagine.
Looking beyond the EP, you’ve been building since 2015. What’s the biggest lesson or mindset shift you’ve had between your early music and the Chasey we’re hearing now?
I love this question. I think the answer as of today would be fearlessness and divine timing. Not being afraid to try new sounds and flows. But also finding the confidence to reach out to strangers and letting them know who I am, and this is what I can do. At the same time, having patience and understanding that just because something was done doesn’t mean that it’s my ticket to fame or a higher tax bracket. Not everyone catches on right away, let it marinate, keep doing me, and they’ll find their way there eventually. Good things take time.
Finally, if a new listener were to hear Cirrus Clouds as a first introduction to your writing, what do you hope they’ll take from it? Is there a meaning you hope to instil in your audience?
I hope any new listener can understand that I’m serious. This pain is genuine, my yearning, my will to succeed, everything is authentic and raw.
I live by the saying “Good Things Take Time”. I’m no more special than the next man, but in my own life, I’ve been through immense strife and struggle. Ask anyone who truly knows me, and they’ll tell you that I always believe brighter days are ahead, even when the sun is gone. No matter how long it takes, I just know we’re gonna make it. Even now, we’re not there yet, but I don’t know, it feels like that time is right around the corner. Whether I’m right or wrong, I just pray it’s everlasting.