At just 22 years old, Ezcodylee has emerged as one of the most distinctive voices in the new generation of underground music. Blending the rebellious spirit of punk with the foundation of rap, he has carved out a sound he calls Stunt Rock—a genre-defying approach built on individuality, purpose, and fearless self-expression. More than just an artist, Ezcodylee sees music as a vehicle for impact, using his platform to speak on personal struggles, social issues, and the importance of living life without limits.
In this exclusive interview, Ezcodylee opens up about the philosophy behind STUNT 4 LIFE, the values that drive his music, his thoughts on the state of the underground, and the mission he hopes to leave behind. From punk culture and political commentary to friendship, family, and the future of Stunt Rock, this conversation offers an unfiltered look into the mind of one of the underground’s most passionate and outspoken artists.
Tell me about yourself. What are some things you like to do, hobbies, places you like to eat at, places you like to visit?
EZCODYLEE: My whole life is centered around friends, family, and music. For the longest time, I never really did too much on my own time. I only ever really played the game with friends, ate out with my girlfriend, things like that. I mostly just do music-related hobbies when I’m by myself, like making hella beats every day, constantly listening to new music in different niches and scenes, and watching interviews and performances all the time. I used to mainly travel to see family and friends, but music has added another level of opportunity to do so.
What does a typical day look like for Ezcodylee?
Most days haven’t started to get too crazy. I check on my family, then I spend most of the time on the phone with my girlfriend and on Discord with my close friends. I produce a lot more often than I record, but most of my beats don’t make it off my hard drive.
What’s a hidden secret about Ezcodylee?
I secretly don’t have a driver’s license lol.
What are your thoughts on the term “Rageslop,” and how do you feel when people use that term toward you?
We say music is subjective out of courtesy for the artistic and taste differences we have as people, but I honestly believe everything exists on a spectrum. Listen to any genre enough, and you’re gonna find “slop” and “peak.” Rage gets a very bad stigma. I don’t know if that’s because of its rebellious energy and abrasive sound or because it was founded by young Black ragers, but it’s had an interesting narrative recently. Especially because it’s the most criticized yet consumed genre of this generation. It reminds me of the perceptions of early punk. I could never take it personally if someone doesn’t enjoy my music because there are many artists I respect or appreciate but don’t personally enjoy or listen to. My music is for anyone, but not everyone.
“My music is for anyone but not everyone.”
You make music that falls into the punk rap category. What genre would you personally place your music in?
I want to transcend the genre. I coined the name Stunt Rock for my sound, but I am a rapper just as much as I am a punk artistically. There are a lot of elements in both genres that contradict each other but also many that complement each other. I either belong to both or neither. I’m here because of rap and will be here for rap, but I’ve always loved too many genres to make one-dimensional music. If you don’t think my music fits either, thank you. That’s the goal.
Do you feel like the punk aesthetic is getting played out, or do you think artists are still finding new ways to evolve it and bring more individuality and style to it?
I’m more so disappointed in the lack of punk values and ethos in the new generation of music. If anything, I encourage people to express themselves stylistically and aesthetically. Looking punk is cool as fuck. I’ll never deny that. But we could really use more people that are punk, not look punk. That takes action. I’m not here to define or determine what punk is, but there is a core meaning. Punk’s many interpretations make for its usefulness as an ideology. I feel the same way about Black culture. If Black people and values were supported as much as its culture and aesthetics, the world would look a lot different.
What do you think artists get wrong when they borrow from punk culture?
They forget what punk meant and did historically. Why it was a thing. It’s one thing to take influence from a culture, and it’s another thing to wear it as a costume. Especially when your spin on it goes against everything it stands for.
You have multiple lyrics where you say that you’re not only making music, but making a statement. What does that mean to you?
Music is my first love. I want to be a musician forever. But only if that comes with impact. I move with intentionality and purpose. Many of my friends do also. Pretti makes music to give a colorful and fun energy to the harsh reality of life. Slayr is showing kids you can do it by being yourself and making music that reflects your personality and interests. I make music so the people listening live their lives to the fullest. You can like my music, but if you’re not stunting because of it, I’m not doing enough. Not every artist is making a statement, especially in this space.
“You can like my music but if you’re not stunting because of it, I’m not doing enough.”
Are there any inspirations or idols you have that people might not expect from you or would find surprising?
I’m super open about being an Arianator, but I’m sure a lot of fans still don’t know that. Clairo, Beyoncé, and PinkPantheress all make a great contribution to the way I make music. Women are very underrated in this industry. As far as the “stunt” motto, Travis Pastrana, Rob Dyrdek, Kick Buttowski, Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, and Spider-Man are all people/characters that I used as reference and inspiration in one way or another.
You’ve been very outspoken about different issues happening in the world, especially in the United States. What would you say to other artists who may share similar viewpoints but are afraid to speak out publicly?
Do it. The bad of speaking up will never outweigh the good of silence. We are living in a world that is being destroyed daily, and bystanding is helping the destruction. I personally take the liberty to speak on social and political issues regardless of the consequences because I believe provoking the conversation is utmost important.
“The bad of speaking up will never outweigh the good of silence.”
You mention political topics a lot in your music, like ICE, Palestine, Donald Trump, and more. What makes you so inclined to take that direction in your music?
I have strived to make my music more vulnerable and a truer reflection of how I feel and think. I was scared to. I have always been happy with how my music sounded, but never as much with what I was saying. These are issues and topics that I am constantly concerned about and would like my listeners to be aware of. Rap and punk have always been social commentary art mediums. I just think the subgenres that have stemmed from them have lost that aspect. I don’t think every artist needs to be doing what I am, but it’s important to me that I do at this point in my career.
One of the coolest things about your work is your performances. You really live what you rap about when it comes to stunt life. Where does that energy come from, and how do you manage it?
Since I was a kid, I loved performing music. From school talent shows, to church events, to the Michael Jackson Experience video game. MTV Unplugged performances were a big influence on my aspirations to perform more like a rockstar than a rapper. My energy on stage comes from something deep inside of me that I can’t really explain, but everyone tells me about it. It’s almost like a possession of my mind and body.
What does an Ezcodylee show look like?
An Ezcodylee show is one big hug. Just a bunch of human beings passionately loving on one another to some loud music. Different faces of different races at different ages from different places.
Have you gone on a solo tour yet? If not, what do you hope to achieve, and what plans do you have for that tour?
I have yet to tour, but I want to. I’ve had a few opportunities, but I’m not tryna open for no one right now. My ego plays no factor in that decision too. I just want the fans to get as much of me as they can, and I don’t have that creative freedom on another person’s tour. But I wanna open after my first headline. I plan to give my all regardless of the show. 10 people or 10,000. But fans are gonna be happy to hear I am touring soon for S4L. I’m ready. I want to give every fan I possibly can a hug after the show. They fucking deserve it.
“I want to give every fan I possibly can a hug after the show.”
STUNT 4 LIFE is a very well-curated project. What was the creative process behind it?
Like nothing I’ve ever done before. I spent a full calendar year perfecting this album. I talked about things on this album that some of the closest people to me didn’t know. New recording methods and practices. Many demos and revisions. Almost every song was made in a different place entirely. No features from any of my friends or frequent collaborators. Though the album sounds very consistent with my personality and the evolution of my music before it, I took myself completely out of my comfort zone to make STUNT 4 LIFE.
What’s your favorite song on the album, and how did that song come together?
My personal favorite is “SHUT UP.” The song was my way of expressing so much built-up anger I had for social media and the modern underground rap community. Especially recording the song during my homelessness added so much more emotion. The second half of the song was such a late decision, but a great one. “AOTY” is a close second. Just so straightforward ahahah.
What do you feel like you achieved on this project, and how do you think you can build on this sound with your next project?
There were two main objectives I had with the album. One was just to get better in every aspect as an artist. My lyrics, my production, my consistency, my transparency, my visuals, my sequencing, just everything. Two was to have a new outlook on the purpose of my mission statement and make my album theme more positive and optimistic than ever. Dwelling more on the feeling of being alive than death’s inevitability.
On your song “Family First,” you shout out a ton of artists like Prettifun, Lucy Bedroque, Slayr, and more, where you say you’re “putting your money on them.” What do you think makes this wave so special, and where do you see everyone going?
I see us going to the very top. Simply because we want to. This is a true family. Years of friendship and support, but also tribulations that the outside world doesn’t know or need to. Not only do we want to be great musicians, but we want to be even better people.
What does the writing process look like for Ezcodylee? What gives you inspiration?
Sometimes I write, and sometimes I don’t. I try to make every song a conversation with my microphone. Whether we’re joking around, envisioning a future, or having a therapy session. I strive to make my music more meaningful and reflective of what I actually care about because for many years I have just been a product of my influences and the bullshit the culture glorifies. I still am to an extent. I want to grow from that.
What are your thoughts on the “underground” label? Do you consider yourself an underground artist, or would you categorize yourself differently?
I’ve always been an underground fan. Day by day, the underground seems to lose its meaning, but I don’t think it’s purely because of misuse. We also live in a society where interests are becoming more diverse, and music is becoming more accessible to make and listen to. There is an underground for every genre, time period, region, etc. Being labeled an underground rapper has a bad connotation because of the community and stigma of being one. The narrative has room to be rewritten, but I also have been learning to be more content with labels and descriptions people place on me because they’ll never stop.
What’s something you think the underground is missing?
I think the underground needs more accountability. As toxic as it is, the people who see it need to do something, and the people who do it need to self-reflect. Or nothing will change. I hate the fact that it’s such a young crowd with fucked-up etiquette and shitty role models. I believe, to an extent, it’s our job as the artists they choose to champion to be an influence for positive change.
What is the worst trend in rap right now, and why?
The worst trend in rap is criticism. I know that’s a super hot take, but the need to quickly criticize the art coming from the genre is killing it, in my opinion. We don’t give ourselves enough time to grow with the music, nor do we allow others to form their own opinions.
What’s one thing you would like to achieve in your music career?
I want to show kids they can do it. Life is worth living, and dreams are worth chasing. I’ll feel like I’ve truly made it when a kid who doesn’t make music whatsoever is inspired and influenced by me to stunt in their profession. Like, the future president could be listening to my music right now, and that is so beautiful to me.
“I want to show kids they can do it. Life is worth living and dreams are worth chasing.”
What’s next for Ezcodylee?
My next album, Stunt 4 Ever, will continue to push the boundaries of what Stunt Rock could be. More collaborations, more crazy performances, more vulnerability. I’m only 22, and I plan to live 4 ever, so there’s so much to come next.
To close it out, what’s a message or quote you want to leave for anyone chasing their dreams?
STUNT BECAUSE YOU WILL DIE! I BELIEVE IN YOU! EVERYTHING I’VE EVER DONE WAS IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL I DID IT! LOVE YOU!