Dreezy’s got next and it’s easy to see why.
Words: Angela Wilson
If Hip Hop is still an exclusive All Boys Club, meet its latest intruder: Dreezy. One of the frontrunners from Chicago’s new wave of raw talent, the five-foot-four talent born Seandrea Sledge is a force all her own. Making a swift claim to fame two years ago after freestyling over Nicki Minaj‘s “ChiRaq” track that went viral, Dreezy gained the attention of Hip Hop greats like Common and Fabolous, who quickly took notice of the “Boss” rapper.
From writing in elementary school to signing with Interscope Records, Dreezy, in short, has put in the work. Collabs with fellow Midwest radio mainstays DeJ Loaf on “Serena” and Jeremih on “Body,” the latter a passion laced track dripping of sexual innuendo, showcase the pint-sized diva’s hunt after Hip Hop’s heart.
In an industry plagued with one hit wonders, manufactured realness and studio gangsters, Dreezy stands out among the crowd. Putting on for Chicago, home of first Black President and NBA dynasty Chicago Bulls, Dreezy is a record executive’s dream. “I write my own music. I stand for female unity and self empowerment and I’m real confident in what I do.” And it shows, too. The arts and music runs deep in the 22 year old veins, oozing onto sublime tracks. “Ever since I was a kid, I was writing. I started singing when I got older and transitioned into rapping, that’s when I started taking it real serious when I released my first mixtape and shot my first video.”
Despite a promising road to prominence Dreezy admits, “I just want to go harder. I’m still not satisfied with where I am.” A self-proclaimed “risk taker,” Dreezy is unafraid and uninhibited, as her journey has been filled with on-the-whim decisions due to a firm conviction in herself. “I’m a lot stronger than I thought I was. I’m a lot more influential than I thought. At first I was kind of scared to put myself out there because of what people would think. But I can’t be scared to do stuff. I was scared to move to L.A. but I just packed my bags and left. I just do stuff spur of the moment. I learned to trust myself and not put so much trust into other people around me and observe situations as I go.”
Realizing the journey is just as sweet as the destination, Dreezy continues to find refuge in her music, optimistic the crown is hers for the taking, reminiscing on how living by her own rules is working in her favor. “When I look back to when I was in college, I said I was going to drop out and I just dropped out that week. I just did it. I’ll think about it for a day or two and if it feels right, I just do it. What’s the worse that can happen? I try to encourage my friends who have dreams with risks to just do it and it’s working out for everybody.”
