We were lucky to catch up with Fleeka recently and have shared our conversation below.

Fleeka, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

As an artist, I’ve always prided myself on being able to share life with my listeners through a raw and authentic lens. This started at the age of 12 with my first single “Be You Tiful.” It was my story of girlhood and the reason I decided to share my definition of beautiful. Since then I have only become more fearless in illustrating real life through music with topics from self-love and acceptance to standing up against emotional abuse. However, I would love to highlight “Lovin A Hero” as my most meaningful project so far. This song brings attention and awareness to a group of people who may have been overlooked; our active and retired military and their families.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For those who may not have read or even heard about me before, I’ll take you back as far as I can remember. Growing up, my mom always spoke Lou Engle’s quote over me and my brothers stating “God had a dream and wrapped your body around it.” This dream first became evident in 3-year-old me as I stood and lifted my voice on a clothing store countertop. They paid me in quarters, but that was nothing compared to the payment I received in the form of purpose and the exhilarating feeling of sharing my art. At age 5, I shared my first original song with my mom to which she responded “Where did you hear that song?” I casually replied “Oh, I made it up.” This is when she knew that this was more than just a dream, and before I knew it, we were off to Florida for my first professional talent showcase. Throughout my youth, I attended a couple of these and continued to flourish as I placed high in each category and received numerous callbacks. This eventually led to being signed with a talent manager and Agent in Los Angeles, CA at just 11 years old. My mom packed up my brothers and me to spend episodic season in LA while my dad stayed in Colorado to build his real estate business. While out there, I received my IMDB credit, had unforgettable experiences, and built lifelong connections. Sadly, our time was cut short though as my mom received an unexpected diagnosis of stage zero breast cancer called DCIS. It felt like the world stopped spinning and all I could do was watch her go through surgeries and treatments while I drowned in the unknown. My only constants were my faith, my family, and my music. My mom is actually a huge reason why I chose the industry that I’m in and has always been one of my greatest inspirations and muses. So with that said, I am a firm believer that every good and bad thing has its purpose because during this time I received a call from a New York talent scout and that led me to refocus on my music. Thankfully my mom’s treatments were successful and that one call landed us in New Jersey where I would get to work with top producers and record my first original song, “Be You Tiful.” I released this song at age 12 under my given name Caydence Joy but have since rebranded and revisioned my artistry. Now I am Fleeka; an imperfect treasure that is fresh out of doubt and ready to shake up the music industry. I desire to be an inspiration for the next generation to not let their age discourage or limit them, but instead empower them to shake up THEIR world! I do my best to illustrate what I represent as an artist in every area of my craft. This includes my lyrics, my merch, and my personal favorite, live performances where I get to bring it all together. I pour my heart and soul into my shows so getting to meet and make connections with people who believe in me or have been impacted by me makes it all worth it.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think non-creatives, and even creatives themselves, struggle with the idea that you need a backup plan or a “normal” job. Subconsciously, we always have and should have a plan in case things look different than expected. However, I have always found it extremely insulting and disappointing when people ask me what I will be doing “when music doesn’t work out.” I believe that if this is what I genuinely care about, I will find a way or I will make a way. Unfortunately, some people that I wanted or needed to support me the most could only support me to the extent that their limited beliefs would allow. I don’t blame them though as society has set a disappointing standard and expectation for creatives.

In summary, I believe that both logical and creative minds are needed to make the world go around, and therefore not one is more respectable or more important than the other.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I belive that I have been given a beautiful gift of songwriting, singing, and overall the ability to create. However, this gift is worth nothing if I can’t use it to ignite fires of love and passion in people. With that said, I would love to reemphasize my heart for youth (specifically young women) and for active/retired military and their families. My hope is to use my platform to promote my philanthropic efforts with organizations like Veterans Life Magazine, One More Wave, and The Honor Flight Ceremony as well as volunteering and performing at middle schools and high school’s special events and ceremonies.

Additional facts about me:
•I love all forms of art! Singing, writing, dancing, choreographing, acting, etc. I actually taught for three years as a dance teacher and one year as a competition coach where I became an award winning choreographer at the age of 19. This was such a special way for me to express my creativity in a different way and mentor/inspire youth!

•I love and appreciate the outdoors and all the memories that can be created in it. This includes but is not limited to wake surfing, paddle boarding, fishing, four wheeling, camping, river swimming, etc.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://iamfleeka.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamfleeka?igsh=YWMzMzcxOG90M3dp&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556224798084&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCLPFMaiGW91qAjm7a2AdGYg?si=EXsaFFoVrv_oDj_4
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/w3e5wWj9G8oGg1cV7
• Other: Linktree:https://linktr.ee/fleeka

Image Credits

Jason Alfaro | Righy Eye Media LLC