In a world saturated with formulaic trap and hyperpop, Placeholder stands out not just as a name, but as a mindset. A group of artists that embraces experimentation, vulnerability, and collective creation. Comprised of Djcheesec4ke, Eet Tha Rich (ETR), Flogortimus, and Chloe.Lia, along with other members, has built something raw and atmospheric from humble beginnings: late nights in a cramped camper, beat experiments, and improvisational sessions. What started as friends messing around has become a singular universe of sound. In this in-depth conversation, we’ll delve into their creative process, explore the highs and lows, and discuss what comes next.
Rising Voices: Djcheesec4ke, Eet Tha Rich, Flogortimus & Chloe.Lia
Every artist remembers the spark. For Djcheesec4ke, it came in 2021 with FL Studio — what began as curiosity quickly became passion. ETR felt the shift in 2020, inspired by internet-era sounds like witch house, vaporwave, and cloud rap, with artists such as Lil B and Black Kray proving that expression had no limits.
Flogortimus locked in around 2022, influenced by his peers. “I’d always loved trap and rap,” he said, “but watching their process made me believe I could do it too.” That same year, Chloe.Lia found her lane in production, channeling inspiration from Bladee, Main Attrakionz, and the cloud-rap underground.
Different starting points, same energy: four artists pulled into music by curiosity, community, and a drive to push sound forward.
The Camper Sessions: Creating in Chaos
Before studios and structure, there was the camper. Djcheesec4ke remembers it as “chaotic in the best sense” — nights of smoke, drinks, music videos, and beats forming in cramped quarters. ETR calls it “insane,” with 8–10 people crammed inside, recording on a USB mic, sometimes spilling into cars or even a laundromat. One stray visitor — “Trap Cat” — became part of the lore.
For Flogortimus, those sessions broke down walls. “I was a spectator at first, but seeing the process made music feel possible.” Chloe.Lia recalls it more as a blur: hazy nights, laughter, and experimentation. The camper wasn’t just a space — it was the crucible where their sound first took shape.
Projects & Growth: More Cheddar → The.Cabin
Every crew has a first milestone, and for this circle, it was More Cheddar — the joint tape from Djcheesec4ke and ETR. Raw, unpolished, and brimming with energy, it marked the start of something real. “We were figuring out how to record, discovering our chemistry,” said Djcheesec4ke, who still calls 1MillionBands and ForkliftCertified (ft. Bobby) personal favorites. For ETR, it felt like a leap forward: “We were freestyling, experimenting, and collaborating with Bobby, who was just starting. That project showed us what we could be.”
If More Cheddar was a raw beginning, The.Cabin was pure elevation. Emilio rented a house in the woods, and the group turned it into a creative retreat. “It was the calmest, most immersive sessions we’ve had,” Djcheesec4ke said. “I’d bring beats, DJ at night, then we’d crash, wake, record, repeat.”
ETR remembers it vividly: “It was my birthday. We set no rules — just creativity. Exploring the ruins nearby, recording in the attic, partying, shooting videos — some of the best days of my life.” Chloe added her touch from afar, sending in a beat that became central to the project. “The Pine Barrens felt surreal,” she said. “I was more in the moment, soaking it all in.”
From a cramped camper to a house in the woods, each project pushed them further — proof that growth isn’t just about polish, but about creating worlds together.
Palceholder’s Favorite Works & Personal Landmarks
When it comes to looking back, each artist points to a project that left a mark. For Djcheesec4ke, it’s search4 — a solo effort from early 2024. “It’s minimal by design,” she said. “I was trying to distill the sounds I loved into something clean. That process shaped my confidence and style.”
ETR splits his pride between two releases: Enter Tha Giegersphere and The.Cabin. The first is sprawling and chaotic, a raw time capsule made entirely in Audacity. “I was too messed up to learn a DAW then,” he admitted, “but it captured growth and confusion.” The second, by contrast, feels polished: “Accessible but still dreamlike — dark, dissonant, yet hopeful.”
For Chloe.Lia, The.Cabin holds the most weight. “It’s the only one I’m fully present on,” she said, while also praising Giegersphere for its ambition and scale.
Each project, whether rough or refined, carries a piece of their evolution — snapshots of sound, growth, and the belief that even chaos can leave behind something lasting.
The Core of Placeholder
Ask them what they love most about making music, and the answers show why this circle clicks. For Djcheesec4ke, it’s both therapy and craft: “You can step into yourself, detach, explore — and I love the technical challenge of sound design, layering, textures.”
For ETR, the heartbeat is the community. “The interplay between artists and fans, online and IRL. Plus, creating immersive worlds you can get lost in.”
Flogortimus frames it as growth: watching his sound evolve, building with others, and keeping the process fun. Chloe.Lia puts it simply: “When it flows. When you open FL Studio and everything clicks and you ride that wave.”
Different words, same truth — music keeps them grounded, connected, and reaching for higher heights.
Collaborating Inside Placeholder
Within Placeholder, each member brings a different strength. Bobby and Emilio take the lead on vocals and recording, their constant output giving the crew confidence in their delivery. Djcheesec4ke focuses on beats, sending ideas and trusting the others to bring them to life.
For Flogortimus, the dynamic is pure energy: “Working with Bobby and ETR is inspiring. They have genuine chemistry. Sessions are electric. No friction, just momentum.” Chloe.Lia often works from a distance, contributing beats and loops that the others bend and transform.
The process is fluid, trust-driven, and always moving — a collective where everyone’s input pushes the sound further.
Shout-outs & Influences
Every artist carries echoes of the people who shaped them. For Djcheesec4ke, it’s peers and collaborators like Zia, Khi and his crew (1khiiihx1), Rretroactively, and BigMac.
Chloe.Lia shouts out RRETRO, BLACKGUMM, and ROSEBUD, artists whose sounds she’s deeply locked into. ETR lists a wide range of artists: Poozie, Khiiix, Charlatan, Luis33k, Famous Donte, and especially Deadfrvr, a brother in art and SJD legend.
These names aren’t just influences — they’re part of the living network that keeps the scene evolving.
Final Thoughts
Placeholder isn’t just a group — it’s a living organism of sound, constantly shifting and expanding. What began in a cramped camper has grown into textured, emotionally rich projects powered by chemistry and a fearless push against boundaries.
If you’re diving in, start with The.Cabin — ride the moods, peel back the layers. Then trace the path through Giegersphere, search4, and More Cheddar to hear the evolution. And if you like what you hear, listen to our Experimental Rap playlist below.
For more from Placeholder follow them all on social media. And follow them on Spotify, and SoundCloud. And as always…
STAY LUCID
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