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Image via Jeff Chery
Dance music and rap music have been merged and mixed more than ever before in 2015. If there’s one label that’s at the forefront of this genre-blending, and one label that is doing it better than anyone else, it’s Bromance. The French label is helmed by Brodinski and boasts a roster packed with talented artists like Sam Tiba, Surkin, Panteros666, and many others. Brodinski released his rapper heavy debut album BRAVA this year and both he and Sam Tiba worked on Bricc Baby Shitro’s gritty Nasty Dealer mixtape, and now they’re back to help introduce the awesome Jeff Chery.
Haitian-born and Brooklyn-raised, Jeff Chery’s debut project Cherubic 6lues sounds like nothing else, as he raps and sings over Sam Tiba’s elegant production, baring his soul with both self-reflection and tales of street life.
“I’m really glad we had a chance to put this record together! The connection is REAL,” Brodinski told us over email. One listen and it’s clear that he’s right. Tiba and Chery are perfect partners here—the beats never overwhelming the vocals, but full of flourishes like pan flutes, piano, and what sounds like a sampled choir on the beautiful “One Call Away.” As Chery explains, “I sent [Sam Tiba] the melody to the record and he sent me back the perfect canvas.”
Listen to Cherubic 6lues, out tomorrow, below. Read on to get familiar with Jeff Chery, discover why Chery and Tiba enjoy working together so much, and grab a free download of a track called “Power.”
Make sure you check out the Bromance blog here for artist spotlights, new music, and lots more.
Can you introduce yourself?
Jeff Chery: I was born in Haiti, raised in Flatbush, Brooklyn, and became a man in Southside Atlanta.
How would you describe your music?
JC: My music is sort of an oxymoron—basically my lane of music is about not having a lane. Hope this makes sense but I’ve found a balance where I can do as I want, express myself and be understood without being boxed in. I love pop, trap, African music, Kompa, a lot of dancehall, hip-hop and R&B. I enjoy all music therefore I’m not afraid to take risks other artists are too afraid to attempt.
Sounding like everyone else is the norm nowadays, but adding trap to country or to pop was something me and my brother Swiff were experimenting with four years ago and people thought we were crazy. Now everyone’s adding trap to something, but I’ve stumbled onto a few other things I can do that they may have difficulties with. Ask Sam and Brodi. I’ve heard I rap, I’ve heard I sing, but I just say my sound is Mufasa.
Tell us about the EP—what does it mean to you?
JC: This EP is my first official project on the market and it feels like the start of something incredible. I was able to add so much of myself onto the project and do it with some amazing people. My cro Sam and Brodinski are some of the coolest people I’ve met. I literally consider them family, they gave me a chance.
The B was switched out for a 6 which is a representation of my upbringings crip’n and banging. Cherubic is the angelic Godly vibe my music has at times, plus my mother also gave me the last name Chery! It made so much sense in my mind. Cherubic 6lues is where I found my sound, knew what I wanted, and where I wanted to go as an artist.
My little girl Lyric is 3 years old now but the day she was born I wrote her a record. I never had the proper canvas to paint the lyrics on so I never forced it, I just kept the melody and words. When I met Sam I sent him the melody to the record and he sent me back the perfect canvas.
It’s very very personal. Every record on there I’ve experienced and it comes from a deep place. Warning don’t do drugs while listening to record.
Anything else you want the people to know…
JC: A coward and a hero are the same person, the only difference is how one acts. 2016 is ours, It’s a Vagabond and Bromance thing. Appreciate Pigeons and Planes for the interview lots more to come!
How did you first find out about Jeff Chery?
Sam Tiba: At the start of 2015, I heard this track called “Sorry.” I was amazed immediately, and kept on listening to it until Brodinski introduced me to him six months ago.
How do you approach making beats for rappers/vocalists differently to when it’s just your own track
ST: The only difference is that I get to “over-produce” a little less than when I’m on my own. Learning to produce for rappers is a long and hard process and I’ve just started to understand it now.
What do you like about Jeff Chery’s sound?
ST: I love his voice. It might sound a little random but it’s super rare for me. I like when he sings, when he talks, and I love that he can cover two full octaves of notes. He’s a really hard worker & has a real musical spirit. Also he’s always ready to experiment with new things, new styles.
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Artwork by Maxime Buchi/Sang Bleu
