In a recent appearance on The Progress Report, African-born artist, producer, and former battle rapper Flexxx360 sat down with Lalaa Shepard for an honest conversation about his journey from childhood freestyles to signing a partnership with Roc Nation.
Explaining the origin of his stage name, Flexxx360 shared that “Flex” comes from a shortened version of “Felix,” while the “360” represents the many hats he wears—rapper, battle rapper, producer, and more.
He began rapping at just eight years old and spent over a decade battle rapping, often going up against adults twice his age. Around age 23, he transitioned into producing beats and sharpening the overall quality of his music.
Flexxx360 spoke about growing up in a strict African household where music was always present. His parents introduced him to classic artists like Diana Ross and TLC, which helped shape his sound early on. Though they were initially skeptical about his music career, they changed their tune after hearing his work: “They were like, ‘Do it.’”
One turning point in his career came after his single “S*x” went viral on WorldStar Hip Hop, gaining over 3.2 million views. That same night, Flexxx360 received a phone call from LL Cool J, who encouraged him to leave his hometown and push his music in a bigger market. He eventually relocated to Los Angeles.
His single “S*x” was inspired by years of fans suggesting he sample Mad Cobra’s “Flex.” Flexxx360 confirmed that the sample was cleared, though attempts to feature Mad Cobra on the record didn’t pan out. He followed up with another single, “Physical”, both blending Caribbean influence and party-ready energy into his sound.
Flexxx360 emphasized the challenges of the independent grind—from running his own label to writing and producing his material. He spoke candidly about his time working with Columbia Records, saying he had to learn that talent alone isn’t enough without the business side in order.
Flexxx360 recently signed a partnership with Roc Nation. He described his latest unreleased song as a step above his previous work: “It’s better than ‘Sx.’”* He revealed he’s planning to drop both the new single and visuals in the coming weeks, along with new “Drop the Mic”-style video content, and has more material lined up for the next two months.
Having recently relocated, Flexxx360 discussed the importance of moving safely and being selective about his circle while building a name in new territory.
Asked to define “progress,” he said: “Every day. Non-stop. If you’re not progressing in life, music, or mindset, that’s a problem.”
