The DMV Daily Interviews: PHNXBLK
LivengoodLivin With PHNXBLK What’s your full name? And give us a background about you PHNXBLK all caps lol. I’m from Southeast Wash. D.C. and I produce and write Hip Hop/R&B.
LivengoodLivin With PHNXBLK
What’s your full name? And give us a background about you
PHNXBLK all caps lol. I’m from Southeast Wash. D.C. and I produce and write Hip Hop/R&B. I also own my own label…Mo’ Betta Records.
Describe yourself with a music lyric
“My Umi said shine your light on the world” – Mos Def
Three things about you that nobody knows?
I wanted to be a gangsta growing up…
I want to write songs and play the guitar in the elk of John Mayer when I’m reincarnated…
I’ve been homeless most of my adult life…a real live starving artist.
Describe your musical origin?
Church with moms, cleaning the house with pops, and gospel go-go’s…music was everywhere for me and was a HUGE influence on me as a kid. I taught myself how to play the drums and rap when I was 15, I began producing at 19, so it’s been a lifelong passion.
Biggest musical influences?
The Soulquarians, Mike Jack, The-Dream, Yeezy, Jay, Bink, Mayer, Dre, Kendrick…the list is endless man
Top five musicians and albums of all time?
Musicians???
Prince, J. Mayer, Kirk Franklin, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder
Albums???
Like Water For Chocolate (Common) Mama’s Gun (Erykah Badu) Blueprint (Jay-Z) Mos Def (Black on Both Sides) Rage Against the Machine (Rage Against the Machine)
What are your pre and post studio/performances traditions?
I have to listen to music for at least 30 minutes to get in my zone. After I finish a track I always throw on some headphones, smoke a clove, and listen to the track by myself.
Describe the process of you making a song
Every process is different. When I’m inspired I just go in lol
Which artists or brands would you love to work with?
Pretty much anyone from TDE and Dreamville. Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond would be dope collabs also.
What are some current challenges you face as a upcoming, independent artist and as a black man?
Economics is where the real fight is now a days. Corporate america’s preferential treatment for white males urks me. Getting to the money is literally the mission right now.
What’s your opinion about the music industry?
It’s damn near dead filled with snakes, vampires and pimps. I’m from the hood and I own my own product so I’m comfortable lol
If you could change one thing about it, what would you change and how?
The songs chosen for radio play don’t accurately reflect the culture or the times. I’d fire the suits and put people that actually care about the craft in their positions.
Any shout outs?
You see me Moms! Yeah~!
Spell your full name out with a word.
Beautiful
Where can we find you on social media?
IG & Twitter: @phnxblktunes
Any future events in store?
I’m on the low right now, working on a follow up to my summer EP entitled ‘12’ which is on itunes, spotify, tidal, etc (just search PHNXBLK)
