This young contender has been giving all upcoming emcees a run for their ends. Maryland rapper Phil Adé has the internet waves constantly shaking in anticipation for some new tunes. The reason why isn’t hard to understand. With Wale opening the doors for DMV artists, the spotlight is on the nation’s capital more than ever now. But it’s not any hand-me-down raps coming out of this keeper. Crisp lyricism and delux production, it’s no wonder why Raheem DeVaughn signed him to his independent DC-based label 368 Music Group. The rising star has already had the pleasure of accomplishing major moves. With his face gaining regular rotation on MTV Jams and show appearances all across the US, there’s no warning signs clear enough to understand for the youngster.
AllHipHop had a chance to rap with the kid and talk randomness, on top of some vital information onne may want to know. In his first time Breeding Ground interview, Phil shares his insight on his growing success, being next up in the DMV and other random goodies such as taking long walks on beaches during sunset.
AllHipHop.com: It’s obvious that you came into the game with Raheem DeVaughn, but did you really expect to blow up so quickly?
Phil Adé: Actually I really didn’t know what to expect. When I first really got serious about doing music, it is kind of when I met Raheem and my manager Tennyson and Dre [Andre “Dre The Mayor” Hopson] and all of them. So I really wasn’t even sure what to expect as my first time pursuing music seriously.
AllHipHop.com: Can you recall when you first fell in love with Hip-Hop? Whether it was a song, or an age, can you remember?
Phil Adé: Actually, nah. It’s kind of like something that I just kind of grew up with. When I was younger I did what my brother did. I was kind of like a follower of my brother. So if he was listening to Tupac and B.I.G. like he was, that’s what I would listen to too. It’s kind of always been like that. Pac and Big were like the first people I listened to, and Nas and Tribe. Those artists were kind of the first artists that I really listened to a lot because my brother did.
AllHipHop.com: You list Biggie, Nas, Jay, etc. as influences. But is there anybody that may shock some of your fans?
Phil Adé: Let’s see. I know off the top, AZ. I listen to a lot of AZ. Really, the stuff he did with Nas. I don’t know if you heard the song “Life’s a b***h.” That’s one of my favorite songs from him and Nas. Shit, AZ, Jeru the Damaja, um...I say that’s about it.
AllHipHop.com: So now you have your current project out, The Letterman out. The Letterman follows Starting On JV. Would you say that you’ve moved up the varsity with the second project? How do you feel in the game right now?
Phil Adé: Yeah, definitely. I’ll say I’ve moved along. My music has gotten better and gotten to the point where I think you can reach more people to actually be a successful artist full-time because of the experiences I’ve had. I’ve had more experiences being with Raheem and going on tour with him. I guess you can say I’ve just seen a lot more life and a lot more situations. So I have a lot more to talk about, and I believe that’s taking my music to the next level.
Phil Ade "The Letter" from Okayplayer on Vimeo.
AllHipHop.com: Some would say you’re the next best thing to come out of the DMV after Wale. Do you feel any kind of pressure at all?
Phil Adé: I don’t really think it’s any pressure really. Wale’s a great artist and he has his name. And I’m a pretty dope artist myself, if I may toot my own horn, and I have my own name. I believe everybody has a part to play and I’m just playing my part. I don’t think there’s really any pressure there.
AllHipHop.com: So you find it rather easy?
Phil Adé: Yeah, I mean, I don’t really feel any pressure. I’m just doing me.
AllHipHop.com: Speaking of Wale again, you both have African descent. And I recently interviewed Chiddy from Chiddy Bang who also has Nigerian blood in him. How do you feel about more and more African artist being on the rise in Hip-Hop? Of course we have Wale, Nipsey Hussle, Nneka.
Phil Adé: I think there have always been African artists. I would say Africa is one of the originators of music with a beat behind it. Drums and stuff like that you know, is really deep-rooted in the African culture. It doesn’t surprise me. You know artists like Sade, she’s an African artist and she’s been out since the ‘80s. But um, I think it’s great though. I don’t really know if it’s a coincidence or what it is, but I think it’s dope. I think its dope that it’s a lot of Nigerian artists coming up also.
AllHipHop.com: Now this is totally random. But one of my favorite tracks from you is “Always There.” And I was just wondering like, do you have a shorty or anything like that that could “always be there?”
Phil Adé: Yeah, I got a shorty.
Phil Ade "Always There" from Okayplayer on Vimeo.AllHipHop.com: So when you’re not with your shorty or your 368 crew, what can we find you doing? What do you do in your spare time?
Phil Adé: I’ll say drawing.
AllHipHop.com: Drawing? You actually draw?
Phil Adé: When I was in college I was actually studying graphic design. And drawing was one of my first passions. I used to sketch cartoons when I was little. And my brother used to collect basketball
cards, so I used to sometimes take the basketball cards out, go in the corner and draw the little picture on them. I draw and play ball.
AllHipHop.com: So the basketball theme is really real, you actually do that?
Phil Adé: Mmm Hmm.
AllHipHop.com: Recently you were in North Carolina working with 9th Wonder. I figured that you’re working on a new project. How is it working with 9th? And tell us about this new project that you’re working on.
Phil Adé: 9th was dope. I got to see him actually make beats. He made a joint for me really in like 15 minutes. It was dope, like, I hadn’t heard something that dope in a while. It was great to see him work. I was honored to actually be in the studio with him. And I got a joint coming with him soon, a few songs. And as far as the mixtape, it’s an idea that I came up with from the last couple days. Me, Dre, and DJ Money, we’re gonna do a little project. I went to Australia on September 18 and I’m going to be on the Sneaker Pimps Tour, so I’m actually going to be gone ‘til November. I just thought it’ll be dope to put something together to give to all my fans and supporters, just to hold them ‘til I get back.
Phil Ade "Hollywood" from Okayplayer on Vimeo.
AllHipHop.com: Now, what is this Winner’s Circle I’m hearing about?
Phil Adé: Basically what it’s 368. I’m no longer the only artist on there anymore. There’s a new artist from Florida named Dee Boy. There’s another artist named Phuture, and another one named Stello, that just got involved with 368. And basically what we’re doing is, we’ve come together and made a group of all of us, and called it The Winner’s Circle. And what we have coming up is a mixtape called 368 FTW Vol. 1. I’m not quite sure on the date. But it’s coming soon. We actually have some stuff up. We have a song called “Til the Lights Come On.” It has Raheem on the hook, it’s me, Dee Boy, and Stello, and DJ Money also.
AllHipHop.com: So in the midst of these projects and trips to Australia, etc., what’s next for you? Do you have any goals that you want to tackle? What would you say is next in your plans and goals?
Phil Adé: I wanna do an album. That’s really what I want to do now. I don’t know, it’s just something that I haven’t tackled yet. I think that’s basically what’s next. So hopefully when the right situation rises, I can’t say when I’m planning on doing it, but hopefully the right situation arises that I can do an official album.
AllHipHop.com: Who would you want to grab for that, as far as producers and collaborations? If you could just do it off the top of your head, who would you know for sure you wanted on that project?
Phil Adé: 9th Wonder, Swizz Beats, No I.D., Kanye. That’s one of my favorite artists. Off the top, that’s about it. Of course Sunny, the dude I been working with since day one.
AllHipHop.com: Last words for Hip-Hop?
Phil Adé: Don’t be afraid to take risks, as Raheem calls it, “jumping off the cliff creatively.” You know, mainstream Hip-Hop is always changing. I think that’s because people aren’t afraid to take risks. That’s another thing with being a successful artist. I believe every successful artist has something different to offer. So be you.
Visit Phil Ade on twitter:
-Shabazz
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