Word is Bond meets Phoniks

1 Shares

Phoniks – In my opinion – is one helluva producer and if you are down with WIB you must have come across him more than a couple of times. From collaborating with Awon, Dephlow to remixing Jay-Z etc, the homie is a beast on the boards. In this Interview he shares with us his fascination with NBA history, lack of interest in movies and what to expect from him and Awon in the nearest future.

Enjoy the short chat. Be sure to check WIB’s archives for more on Phoniks

[hr]

For the benefit of anyone who’s been living in an underground bunker for the last ten years…who on earth are you?

24-year old hip hop producer from Portland, Maine.

[hr]

How did you get started in music, and what drives you to continue?

I got started making beats about 8 years ago when I first learned about sampling and began to understand where samples came from. The drive to continue comes from my will to create timeless art that I can be remembered by.

[hr]

Do you remember the first beat you ever made? How did you go about it?

Yes I do! I don’t think I have it saved anywhere anymore, but I can still remember the sample and even the exact chops. I could recreate it today if I had to.

[hr]

If a movie about your life in music was to be made, what interesting/strange moments and stories would you share to make the movie cool?

I don’t know, If they made a movie about my life it’d be pretty boring.

[hr]

Are there any other interesting facts about you that hardly anyone else knows?

I’ve watched hundreds of old basketball games from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. I have an obsession with NBA history that parallels my obsession with hip hop. Also I don’t watch movies, so anytime someone asks me “have you seen…” the answer is usually “no”.

[hr]

What is the greatest thing about working in the music industry? And what would you change if you had the opportunity? One of my favorite parts is when people will message me and tell me about ways that my music affected their lives, whether it helped them through a breakup or death of a family member or whatever it was. The industry is about chasing play counts so much that people can be viewed as statistics, so when a fan messages me and shares a story like that it brings it back to a personal level where you realize there are real people behind every play.

[hr]

Looking back, what have been the most important moments in your life so far?

I’m not sure, it’s tough to put things into perspective like that while I’m still young. You’ll have to ask me in a few years.

[hr]

What have been the biggest highlights?

Topping Bandcamp’s hip hop charts with my debut album, getting the chance to work with some of my favorite emcees, and eclipsing 3 million plays on Soundcloud.

[hr]

What has been your biggest challenge…and how did you overcome it?

I’m currently working with Awon on starting a record label called “Don’t Sleep Records” which I believe will be my biggest challenge.

[hr]

Who have been the coolest, most memorable people you’ve met along the way, and how did they make an impact on your life?

It would have to be Awon. He is the one who inspired the confidence in me to achieve great things and is one of the most inspirational people I have met in my life. Without his guidance I probably wouldn’t be making hip hop right now.

[hr]

When you’re sitting on the porch age 97 what would you like to look back on and smile having achieved?

Making dope music and traveling the world because of it.

[hr]

What has been your most memorable or inspirational gig and why?

I actually haven’t played any shows yet, just been doing a ton of studio work.

[hr]

What has been your strangest celebrity encounter?

You don’t have a lot of celebrity encounters up here in Maine haha. Here’s a fun fact, though: My cousin played Dr. Cox on the popular American sitcom “Scrubs”.

[hr]

Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?

Man, I’d have Dilla over for a blunt and some fish tacos.

[hr]

What are the greatest songs, albums, books, movies, TV shows, websites you’ve ever come across?

Wow, that’s a loaded question. Songs and albums would take some serious consideration. Favorite book would probably be some basketball biography, I read a pretty good one on Pete Maravich recently. Or Bill Simmon’s “Book Of Basketball”. Movies would be anything by Tarantino. Favorite TV show ever is Seinfeld, but I’ve recently been getting into Game Of Thrones which is awesome. Favorite website is Reddit.

[hr]

Name 5 songs (yours excluded) that we would expect to find on your iPod or Music Player

“I Like It” – Grand Puba

“Karma” – Mood

“Move” – The Jazz Spastiks

“Don’t Trust Anyone” – Street Smartz

“Word Is Bond” – Brand Nubian

[hr]

What special-hero type skills are you blessed with?

I can take frozen pizza’s out of the oven with my bare hands.

[hr]

Where can everyone reading this interview keep up with your adventures?