The Opener is The FADER’s short-form profile series of casual conversations with exciting new artists.
“I just killed the old me, this a renaissance,” ERIS THE PLANET purrs at the start of her April 2025 breakout “GEEZER.” Her undulating flow taps out gentle cadences over a spacy instrumental shaped by sustained chords and plunking 808s. “This is not a game, these hoes is really not committed,” ERIS sighs later on, brushing off fake friends and thirsty tricks alike as she chases after white picket fences and seven-figure paychecks.
Six months later, the D.C. rapper’s song was soundtracking thirst traps for SZA and gambling streams for Drake. Consider it a testament to her studied reinvention from teen YouTuber to fashion model to up-and-coming musician. That trajectory might raise eyebrows among purists, but ERIS isn’t a simple opportunist influencer: from pre-pandemic covers of Kendrick Lamar to early 2019 endorsements of Choker and A$AP Ant, the 25-year-old’s enthusiasm for all kinds of music is palpable. And in true Renaissance woman fashion, ERIS taps into that experience for her rap career too, editing her own videos and drawing her own cover art.
ERIS THE PLANET’s discography is pretty short at the moment, but most of her songs were produced by fellow Duke Ellington School for the Arts graduate Jru Anthony. Anthony is an R&B singer whose father plays go-go music, and you can sometimes hear flashes of those genre’s melodic and rhythmic instincts in his beats for ERIS. No one would mistake “GEEZER” for a go-go song, especially with its barely-there “Triggaman” sample hinting at New Orleans, but I’d chalk up at least some of the instrumental’s warm groove and off-kilter percussion to Anthony’s musical bonafides.
Produced by Popstar Benny, her latest single “PLENTY OF FISH” drills down on ERIS’s lofi groove. From the beat’s regal orchestral chops to the video’s luxe day in the life vibe, it feels like a victory lap, even if ERIS THE PLANET is just getting started.
The FADER caught up with ERIS THE PLANET to chat about the first album on her iPod Nano, the best concerts she’s ever seen, and the one line from “GEEZER” fans keep mishearing.
What's the coolest thing to do in your hometown?
It depends who’s asking because there’s so much to do in DC and Maryland. You can always find me at a live show or at some sort of niche art event/dj set. Shoutout Black Rave Culture and Transmission DC.
Tell us about the first album you bought and why.
The first album that I asked my parents for? Selena Gomez & The Scene: Kiss & Tell. I loved the album cover and it was the first album I had downloaded on my iPod Nano as a purchase. I was like eight years old but I knew what I liked.
What was the last movie you watched?
Moonlight. One of A24’s best movies. Honestly, I just wanted to feel something and it did just that. I don’t wanna spoil it. If you haven’t seen it you need to drop everything and watch it right now.
When you're not making music, how do you spend your free time?
I’m honestly a health nut. I’m obsessed with wellness, going to the gym and eating right. I research new things about it every day. I love being social, watching movies, drawing, doing self-care. I still try to exercise my brain and learn new things. I try to maximize on being young tbh lol
What's a motto you think everyone should live by?
Very simple but Love yourself and chase your dreams.
Explain a lyric of yours that people misunderstand.
A lot of people think I said “got a geezer on my beaver he paid for the reefer.” Not correct but that’s funny as hell I can’t lie. I see people lip sync the lyrics wrong all the time. It’s definitely “got a geezer on my beeper he pay for the reefer.”
What's a song you'd want to cover and why?
Probably anything Frank Ocean has made. Singing makes me nervous though. And to be honest, I’m not really into covers. The original artist usually does it best.
Show us the last meme you saved to your phone.
ERIS THE PLANET knows what she likes.
What's the best thing you've bought for $100 or less?
My spending habits won’t allow me to answer this question honestly. Probably a hair, makeup or skincare product. I love my La Roche Posay face wash.
Tell us about your favorite tattoo or accessory.
A lot of people are surprised when I say this, but I don’t have any tattoos. Favorite accessory right now are my Chanel blue light glasses.
Best advice you've gotten:
Be gentle with yourself. Talk to yourself as if you are a loving mother of your inner child.
Worst advice you've gotten:
Someone once told me “karma doesn’t exist”. I beg to differ lol.
What's the ideal level of fame and why?
I’m not sure there is an ideal level. Fame does come with a price, I learned that early in life. You kind of just accept that you’ll never get the same amount of privacy as you did once before.
Describe the best concert you've attended.
I’ve seen so many live performances of people I love so this is hard to answer. My favorite person I’ve ever seen might be Kid Cudi. Erykah Badu, Young Thug and Tame Impala were crazy too.
What's the last thing you wrote in your notes app?
Some lyrics I wrote in the studio last night. Gotta gatekeep that one lol.
