The tough streets of Chicago's South side have given birth to Hip-Hop's newest, boldest MC:Phero.
Phero, who took his name from his uncle, was born in the tough Mexican neighborhood of Pilsen, an area notorious for crime and violence. Thankfully, his family guided him in their footsteps and encouraged his artistic and musical abilities. “My grandfather, uncles, and father were musicians,” he explains, “so it was only natural to have that passion and drive in my blood.”
By the age of 12, Phero was writing his own songs and went on to work with groups such as The Untouchables and Flatlinaz. He was the kid in high school who would bust out rhymes and freestyles on the spot and had notebooks filled with songs and graffiti. Soon after, he began to make a name for himself in the Chicago Hip-Hop scene as he battled and freestyled at open mic’s, poetry slams, Hip-Hop music showcases, trains, buses, street corners…literally everywhere!
Itzamna, president of Immaculate Entertainment, discovered him in 2008 and immediately signed him to his label knowing full well the depth of Phero’s talent. Their partnership led to the release of his debut EP, The Fallen Moon, and his first full-length album, The Rise. To top it off, Phero accomplished all this at age 17 while working a part-time job and graduating from high school with straight A’s.
Unlike most (if not all) MC’s today, Phero’s songs decry the use of synthesizers and keyboard samples. Instead, he prefers to sample more timeless music like the Jazz and Soul. “The Foundation” features a trumpet sample straight out of an old Spanish film noir while “Time Count” features guitar work that would make Compay Segundo (Buena Vista Social Club) proud.
Lyrically, he focuses on the struggles he’s had to overcome in his life to get to where he is today and wants to avoid the typical thug cliché prevalent in today’s Hip-Hop scene. “I try to keep my audience thinking while hearing my music,” he says. In that sense, he falls into the same category as artists such as Talib Kweli, KRS-One, Gang Starr and Zion I. He’s also influenced by heavyweights like The Doors, Santana, Portishead, Mana and others.
Phero is also an avid reader and a student at Columbia College Chicago. He is currently touring the country promoting The Rise.
Phero, who took his name from his uncle, was born in the tough Mexican neighborhood of Pilsen, an area notorious for crime and violence. Thankfully, his family guided him in their footsteps and encouraged his artistic and musical abilities. “My grandfather, uncles, and father were musicians,” he explains, “so it was only natural to have that passion and drive in my blood.”
By the age of 12, Phero was writing his own songs and went on to work with groups such as The Untouchables and Flatlinaz. He was the kid in high school who would bust out rhymes and freestyles on the spot and had notebooks filled with songs and graffiti. Soon after, he began to make a name for himself in the Chicago Hip-Hop scene as he battled and freestyled at open mic’s, poetry slams, Hip-Hop music showcases, trains, buses, street corners…literally everywhere!
Itzamna, president of Immaculate Entertainment, discovered him in 2008 and immediately signed him to his label knowing full well the depth of Phero’s talent. Their partnership led to the release of his debut EP, The Fallen Moon, and his first full-length album, The Rise. To top it off, Phero accomplished all this at age 17 while working a part-time job and graduating from high school with straight A’s.
Unlike most (if not all) MC’s today, Phero’s songs decry the use of synthesizers and keyboard samples. Instead, he prefers to sample more timeless music like the Jazz and Soul. “The Foundation” features a trumpet sample straight out of an old Spanish film noir while “Time Count” features guitar work that would make Compay Segundo (Buena Vista Social Club) proud.
Lyrically, he focuses on the struggles he’s had to overcome in his life to get to where he is today and wants to avoid the typical thug cliché prevalent in today’s Hip-Hop scene. “I try to keep my audience thinking while hearing my music,” he says. In that sense, he falls into the same category as artists such as Talib Kweli, KRS-One, Gang Starr and Zion I. He’s also influenced by heavyweights like The Doors, Santana, Portishead, Mana and others.
Phero is also an avid reader and a student at Columbia College Chicago. He is currently touring the country promoting The Rise.