CJ Fly, a Brooklynite and founding member of Pro Era, quickly established himself as a standout in hip-hop, drawing inspiration from New York legends like A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, and Jay-Z. His solo career began with mixtape Thee Way Eye See It in 2013, leading to albums like Flytrap (2016) and Rudebwoy (2020) produced by Statik Selektah. CJ's latest work includes Not What You're Expecting (2021), a departure from expectations, and subsequent releases like The Way I H(ear) It, Vol. 1 and The Pharoah's Return EP.

Born Chaine Downer, Jr., CJ Fly's journey from poetry lover to rap artist began in seventh grade, culminating in the formation of Pro Era with classmates like Joey Bada$$. His collaborations with the group led to notable mixtape appearances and tours with artists such as Wiz Khalifa and A$AP Rocky. Over the years, CJ has balanced solo projects like Flytrap with Pro Era ventures, including the hip-hop supergroup Beast Coast. As he continues to evolve his sound, CJ remains a dynamic force in the New York hip-hop scene.