IN CONVERSATION WITH CHEAT CODES
interview by JANA LETONJA
photography by CASTLE
Celebrating a decade at the forefront of global dance-pop, multi-platinum EDM trio Cheat Codes continue to redefine their genre with infectious energy and cross-genre collaborations. Their latest single ‘Go To Hell’, featuring five-time GRAMMY winner CeeLo Green, has officially cracked the Top 30 on Billboard’s Adult Pop Airplay chart, racking up over 1 million global streams to date. The track, a genre-blending anthem infused with attitude and nostalgia, marks another bold step forward as the group gears up for their next era with the forthcoming album ‘Future Renaissance’. Known for Platinum hits like ‘No Promises’ with Demi Lovato and ‘Sex’ with Kriss Kross Amsterdam, Cheat Codes remain unstoppable, a trio constantly evolving while keeping dance floors lit around the world.
Congratulations on ‘Go To Hell’ hitting the Billboard Top 30! How does it feel to celebrate this milestone 10 years into Cheat Codes?
It feels surreal, honestly. Ten years really flew by, and to still be putting out records like ‘Go To Hell’ means a lot. We’ve been huge fans of CeeLo since we were kids. It’s a full circle moment. We’ve always tried to evolve our sound and challenge ourselves creatively, so seeing people connect with this song at this stage of our career is a reminder of why we started doing this in the first place.
How did the collaboration with CeeLo Green come about, and what was it like blending his soulful energy with your signature EDM sound?
CeeLo’s a legend. His voice is instantly recognizable and carries so much soul. The idea came together organically with our good writer friends Brynn Christopher and Jackson Foote. We’d always wanted to fuse that kind of classic, soulful grit with modern dance production. As far as the collaboration, that’s a story of persistence. I think we contacted him like 100 times over a few months until he finally agreed to do the record. Don’t be afraid to double text. It’s important in this industry. Once CeeLo laid down his vocals, it was magic. The track just came alive, he added some one liners for the verse that took it to another level.
The new single feels both nostalgic and fresh. What inspired its sound and attitude?
We were actually in the studio listening to Chris Stapleton’s ‘Tennessee Whiskey’ at the time, and our good friend Jackson had been writing a lot of gospel leaning pop records, which is something Cheat Codes had never done before. We get bored pretty easily so the idea of blending some new sounds into our production was exciting. Once we had the demo, we actually revisited some of CeeLo’s classic records like ‘FU’ for example, and those walking piano chords were a big inspo for the production in ‘Go To Hell’. We also had our friend and writer Morgan Taylor Reid lay down some live piano on the record to give it a more organic feel.
You’re celebrating a decade together as a group. Looking back, what’s been the biggest evolution in Cheat Codes’ creative process?
Early on, we were just experimenting figuring out our sound, what worked, what didn’t. Now, we’re a lot more intentional. We trust our instincts and each other. We’ve grown not just as artists but as people, and that’s reflected in the music. We’ve learned to blend our individual strengths while keeping that collaborative spark alive. The last few years have been really fun creating bodies of work such as ‘One Night in Nashville’ and the Hell Raisers series. Having a more long term approach with records and albums feels like we’re giving more to the fans, versus just dropping one single after another.
You’ve worked with everyone from Demi Lovato to Dolly Parton to Trippie Redd. How do you approach collaborations across such diverse genres?
We’ve always believed great music transcends genres. Whether it’s a pop icon, a country legend, or a rapper, it’s all about chemistry and shared vision. We like to meet artists halfway, bring our energy to their world and vice versa. That’s where the magic happens. Every collab teaches us something new.
Cheat Codes have always blended pop, EDM, and beyond. How do you maintain that balance without losing your identity?
We focus on the feeling. No matter the genre, a Cheat Codes song has to feel like us, euphoric, emotional, and high-energy. We experiment with different sounds and tempos, but at the end of the day, it’s that emotional connection and energy that tie everything together. We started as songwriters, so we always try to base our production off of what’s best for the song, versus the other way around. Sometimes trying to force a vocal into a premade production just leads to a mediocre topline.
After a decade, how do you keep challenging yourselves artistically?
By staying curious. We’re constantly discovering new sounds, producers, and technologies, and we’re not afraid to take risks. The industry moves fast, but our goal is to evolve without losing authenticity. Every project is a chance to reinvent ourselves a little bit. We’re also experimenting with adding more live elements into our songs and our live show.
You’ve performed everywhere from Lollapalooza to The Tonight Show. What live performance stands out as your most unforgettable?
Lollapalooza will always be up there. The energy was insane, and seeing that many people moving to your music is humbling. But honestly, every show where the crowd connects, whether it’s a massive festival or an intimate venue, feels unforgettable in its own way. I would say Madison Square Garden in 2017 was the most unforgettable. It was a Jingle Ball. so it was us, Demi Lovato, Fall Out Boy, Taylor Swift. Just a really interesting combination of artists that you don’t normally see.
The EDM scene has changed dramatically over the past decade. How have you adapted to stay at the cutting edge?
We’re not the typical EDM artist, and we’ve embraced that. We actively try to avoid following trends. Going against the grain has worked well for us in the past, we just try to stay true to the songs we write and then build production that excites us. But who knows, maybe all music will be made with AI in a few years.
‘Future Renaissance’ suggests reinvention. Can you tease any new sounds, styles, or collaborations we can expect from your upcoming music?
The album is out now. For future projects, we’re working on adding more live instruments like guitars, mandolins, and working on a live set.
‘Future Renaissance’ is such a powerful title. What does it represent to you and this new phase of your music?
It represents rebirth creatively, spiritually, and musically. After a decade, we wanted to redefine what Cheat Codes means in 2025 and beyond. It’s about innovation meeting passion, and bringing back artistry, creativity, and soul in an era that’s all about algorithms and trends.
You’ve achieved billions of streams and countless certifications. What motivates you to keep pushing boundaries?
The fans, 100%. Every message, every show, every stream, that connection keeps us going. And honestly, we’re just as hungry now as we were on day one. There’s always another sound to explore. The best is yet to come.
