Country Grammar Vol. 2: Brooklyn’s PHresher

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“It’s like New York’s been soft ever since Snoop came through and crushed the buildings.”

Above lies a prophetic statement from JAY Z, one of Rap’s deities. While this line came when both JAY and the city of New York were red hot, these sentiments soon came to fruition. With Hova’s transition out of music and The South’s hostile takeover, New York Rap quickly became an industry afterthought.

As the birthplace of the genre, this did not sit well with many New York artists. They focused intensely on reestablishing the lyrical-based “New York” sound as a staple in Hip-Hop. This was emphasized so much that it hindered the city’s natural progression.

Yet, New York artist PHresher is out to change this. With his gritty-but-melodic sound, PHresher is increasingly becoming a recognizable name in Hip-Hop. During a conversation as part of RESPECT.’s Country Grammar series, PHresher spoke on how his art is changing the mindset of New York Hip-Hop, while also continuing the city’s tradition of excellence.

RESPECT.: “You’re buzzing within Hip-Hop and New York, but still pretty new to mainstream success. So, for those who don’t know, who is ‘PHresher?’”

PHresher: “Who is ‘PHresher?’ Okay, well PHresher is a real awesome, dope artist out of East New York, Brooklyn. I’m from a little part called ‘Bamaz,’ right down the block from Uncle Murda. That’s where I was born and raised, it’s a real tough neighborhood, but it made me a soldier man. Taught me how to survive. I was an athlete, went off to play football at school then eventually turned to music.”

RESPECT.: “What school did you play for?”

PHresher: “I went to Virginia Union. I dropped the ball. I was supposed to go there for a year and then transfer to the University of Virginia, but I ended up getting kicked out.”

RESPECT.: “What events led to you leaving Virginia Union?”

PHresher: “Just doing the wrong things. I fell off and got kicked off the team. Once I couldn’t play football, it was through. I was a city boy and it was the country. I was just a little too brash.”

RESPECT.: “Coming from an athletic background, how did you get interested in music initially?”

PHresher: “My dad was an artist; he was in a group called ‘Tuck and Roll.’ Things didn’t work out for him, but my mother also had every album imaginable. So, I was always around music, memorizing artists’ lyrics and things word for word. I’ve always loved music. So, when I dropped the ball in sports I realized this was my calling.”

RESPECT.: “So, you started rapping when you stopped playing football?”

PHresher: “Yeah, once I realized sports wasn’t working I started doing music. I was like: ‘Man, I have to do something.’ I knew I wasn’t just going to be on the block.”

RESPECT.: “What inspires you to do music?”

PHresher: “I’m inspired by my children, man. I got two kids, a daughter, and a son. I’m inspired to provide for them. Every day I wake up inspired to feed them. The anxiety of putting food on the table keeps me inspired as well as focused. I’m also inspired by Jay-Z and Eminem. Those are my favorite artists. I’m inspired by the way they handle themselves both in and out of music.”

RESPECT.: “How has being from a place like New York, Brooklyn in particular, which is home to so many iconic lyricists impacted you? Does it add pressure or do you just try not to focus on that?”

PHresher: “Yeah, I really don’t get too much into it because we’re all different as artists. I don’t get into I don’t sound like a ‘Brooklyn artists’ or what a ‘Brooklyn artist’ sounds like. I can only be me. So, what I do is focus on my artistry. But, I do feel the need to represent like they did. I know when you’re winning you’re representing. I don’t care that ‘Wait A Minute’ didn’t sound like a ‘Brooklyn’ record. It did numbers across the globe and that’s what matters because I’m representing Brooklyn.”

RESPECT.: “So you’re aware that you don’t have a ‘typical’ New York sound. Do people highlighting that bother you?”

PHresher: “I don’t feel any way about it, because I mean, what about the drought that New York was going through for the last 10 years? But now look at us? We have a bunch of successful artists coming out of New York. So, what’s the bar? To be relevant or not? Be relevant with the same sound or be relevant with a different sound. My main goal is to keep Brooklyn relevant, not on how, and we’re winning right now.”

RESPECT.: “It does seem like New York is on an upswing. Is that how you feel about the ‘new’ New York sound? Making good music not just a ‘sound?’”

PHresher: “Yeah not a ‘sound,’ making good music. That’s my key. I just want to make good music. Music that the world can listen to. Not just a region.”

RESPECT.: “It seems as though that’s working out. With the ‘Wait A Minute’ remixes you got a lot of verses from established veteran rappers, including Remy Ma. That was one of her first verses since she was released from prison. How did that come about?”

PHresher: “That was all organic. I had never spoken to Remy before then. She reached out to me and told, didn’t ask, but told me she was hopping on the track. But, what could I say, but ‘thank you.’ Same with 50 Cent, just ‘thank you.’ I appreciate any love.”

RESPECT.: “Is that the same with Jim Jones and Papoose? Artists that are considered legends in New York showing you love? Do you feel some type of validation for choosing to have an atypical ‘New York’ sound?”

PHresher: “Just ‘thank you.’ I appreciate everything. I appreciate all the love. When you meet, and talk to me and see that I care about the tradition of music. The tradition of Hip-Hop. It’s not about the game, I just want to keep it alive. I’m just a mixture of all the things I listened to growing up. I pride myself on versatility. So, I just appreciate all the love.”

RESPECT.: “It’s known that you’re into fashion, having a clothing line and things like that, how has that impacted your artistry?”

PHresher: “Music, fashion, and sports go hand in hand. So, they all help each other in a way.”

RESPECT.: “Outside of music, what do you want to venture into, other than the fashion and sports?”

PHresher: “Acting. I really have a love for acting. I’m also a huge humanitarian. I always try to stress that. I love people, especially the youth. I coach Pop Warner football and Youth basketball. Whenever I get a chance I’m out there running around with the kids. I love it.”

RESPECT.: “So, you were recently added to Hot 97’s ‘Summer Jam’ concert. How does that feel being from New York?”

PHresher: “It meant everything to me to be added. You grow up listening to the live performances on the radio. You watch these things and hear these things. So, for me to finally be a part of it, it means everything. Everyone’s excited. My mom, my dad, everyone.”

RESPECT.: “Other than ‘Summer Jam’ what else is coming up for you?”

PHresher: “I just dropped a record on WorldStarHipHop. Me, Cardi B, and Loso Loaded called: ‘Right Now.’ I’m about to shoot another video tonight. I’m just always working.”

PHresher’s emphasis on the quality and relevancy of his music rather than tending to the upkeep of a “sound,” has propelled him into a position as one of New York’s most influential, young artists. While his music may not sound like “traditional” East Coast Rap, his work has garnered the attention of iconic New York artists because it adheres to the culture of Hip-Hop. This is why PHresher’s artistry is important. His music has poured in the necessary relevancy and excitement that is needed to pull New York Hip-Hop out of its storied drought.

Listen to PHresher’s “Right Now” ft. Cardi B and Loso Loaded: