True to her name, fly Deff embodies the essence of what it means to be “fly” in the world of rap. Her walk, her talk, and her commanding presence on the mic are all delivered with a spunky, no-holds-barred attitude that makes her performance unforgettable. But fly Deff is not just about her own success—she aims to uplift and inspire people from all walks of life through her music. With a mission to be the “Voice of Music,” she represents possibility and authenticity, striving to achieve her own dreams while helping others realize theirs.
V-Henny: Growing up in Far Rock, Queens, how did your hometown influence your music and artistic development?
fly Deff: It’s crazy because even though I grew up in Queens, a lotttt of my influences come from the heart of Brooklyn (and of course hip hop in general). From my Queens roots, I was heavily influenced by Stack Bundles, 50 Cent, Chinx Drugs, but spending a lot of time in bed stuy and East New York with family, I’ve been exposed to the super gritty/raw and vulnerable sides of hip hop with influences such as Biggie,( my mom’s favorite rapper besides juvenile), Jay Z, Foxy Brown, Lil Kim, Busta Rhymes, etc.
V-Henny: You describe your music style as a blend of nostalgia and innovation. Can you explain how you balance these elements in your work?
fly Deff: I fell in love with hip hop and rap at a young age. I feel like that passion from the 90s and early 2000s is SUPER embedded in me. That’s where I got my flow and cadence from. That confidence, that heart, that came from being a student of the game from young! Growing up pre teen years and then some, new styles and cadences came along; so that also shaped me as the artist and emcee that am today.
V-Henny: Your stage presence is described as fierce and intimidating. How do you prepare for performances to channel that energy effectively?
fly Deff: It’s just in me for real. I come in with a game plan and that is to strictly DEMOLISH EVERYTHING IN THE ROOM! Leave my mark; let the room feel what I feel when I’m doing my thang up there. I just wanna put on a great show and DOMINATE my sector. I wanna be the best so I do my best to give my best. My only competition is me for real. But everyone that comes along the way, is FOOD! Lmao game time the pressure is on! If the room is feeling me cool ima go off; same way if they not really engaged (which is rare at times), it pisse me off and I go harder. Either way, you catching this smoke.
V-Henny: You started rapping at a young age. Can you share some of your earliest memories of creating music and what motivated you to pursue it?
fly Deff: I just remember my and my brother writing raps and rhyming for our older brothers and cousins. We was killing it. They would always say I sound like biggie lmao. But even on with my days in sumner projects at my grandfather’s house, I locked in on a lot of Jay Z and jadakiss freeway etc. I always tell this story of my dipping into my uncles crates of CDs and explicit adult movie collection and tapping in with the blueprint and black album etc. I cried listening to “This Can’t Be Life”. It was cause the record was so freaking good. I felt it. It felt good and that’s when I knew I fell in love with rap.
V-Henny: Collaborating with established artists like Method Man and General Steele must be an incredible experience. What have you learned from working alongside these hip-hop legends?
fly Deff: Man just an honest blessings to be on records with these guys. I just learned to be YOU. Stay true to self, go out and be that monster with this rap. Go for the gusto. Don’t take no BS and just love what you do. Work for everything man, and be supportive. Give more than you receive. That’s what I learned.
V-Henny: Your quote, “Whatever you focus on the most, BECOMES REALITY,” reflects a powerful mindset. How has this philosophy shaped your career and personal life?
fly Deff: Whatever you focus on whether good or bad, you attracted it. So me personally, I choose to focus more on what’s working and all the good things in life so I attract more of that. I do my best not to dwell much on that bad things. We all are our own bosses. You choose the life you want. No excuses. Go out and get it! Don’t waste time on NOISE!
V-Henny: You aim to be the “Voice of Music” and elevate people through your art. What specific messages do you hope to convey through your music?
fly Deff: I just want people to know their worth and purpose in life. Know your greatness. Push to be ya best self and no one can stop you from shining but yourself. I want everyone to become aware. When you become aware, you tap into life differently (with discipline and focus, of course). Tell your story. I just want them to know they can do anything they want in life, it’s up to you; and I know my days are here. My time is now. I’m just working towards knocking out these goals day by day.
V-Henny: How do you see your unique style contributing to the evolution of hip-hop culture, and what role do you want to play in that?
fly Deff: I see my way of creativity just busting through the doors. Loud and unapologetic! I got that new fresh ish but still that vintage nostalgia to me. So I believe it’s a dope balance for multiple things honestly. I feel like I got it all. I adapt and I’m a student always so I’m gonna always elevate with the time.
V-Henny: Your approach to rap is described as spunky and remarkable. Can you talk about how you developed your distinctive style and what influences shaped it?
fly Deff: I was an only child at a point so I had a lot of time to use my imagination lml. So me just being outgoing and lively with a lot of personality, I feel like a lot of that mixed with the influences I had growing up (like the Missy Elliot’s and Busta Rhymes even Casanova. In the later days) that helped shape of a lot of this contagious style that I have. HeadKrack, from the Ricky Smiley Morning Show, even describes me as “Missy Elliot with a gun” lmao. That tickled me lml.
V-Henny: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the future in your music career, and how do you plan to continue making an impact in the industry?
fly Deff: My goals and aspirations are to be as big as I wanna be man. Shoot beyond the stars. I wanna help inovate the game as well as keep the culture going for hip hop. That NY swag and sound just keep it going. I wanna be known for just being one of the iLLEST. Probably hit a few award shows get some nominations, tour the world and make people feel GREAT with my craftsmanship. Ima just continue to work hard and be ME; the FLYEST that I can be,…just be me. And put on for my damn city!