Rapper. Poet. Outlier. Rebel. Genius. Fort Wayne, Indiana lyricist Phyzikal is an artist of the people. His brand of rap balances the gritty realities of street life, from which he came, with a conscious narrative that highlights the ugly realities of systemic oppression in urban America. While the midwestern MC is definitively in a lane all his own, the way he attacks the mic is the influence of Twista, Bone Thugs N Harmony and Do or Die. The way he transcended his status as a local, independent teenage sensation and became the first rapper in his city to sign a major label deal with LA Reid’s Island Def Jam, was inspired by Master P and Jay Z. And his ability to articulate hood politics with heart and finesse is a nod to Tupac. Everything about his royal mentality is steeped in the old-school code of hiphop; he can flow and authentically deliver a message in cinematic detail.
Phyzikal was born into the struggle. The product of a poverty stricken broken home, his mother’s early life was plagued by drugs resulting in child protective services separating the family. Phyzikal’s grandmother took in he and his siblings instilling Godly principles into her grandchildren, meanwhile the neighborhood OG’s were educating him on illegal activities. As a troubled kid, Phyzikal began fighting both literally and figuratively. It’s how he received his stage moniker, which echoes his bold nature. Being physical was how he expressed his pain but he eventually learned to channel that energy into songwriting and creating music.
When Phyzikal was reunited with his mother, she encouraged his artistic talent and introduced him to a friend who had a burgeoning record imprint. That connection led to him forming a kids group called Eternal at 9 years-old where the duo performed locally and did radio interviews. The experience sparked a passion inside the young entertainer to pursue music as a solo artist. By the time he reached his teens, that’s exactly what he did. Seemingly overnight his profile rose substantially. He became a household name having amassed a cult-like fanbase who recited his songs word for word. But then that all changed. At 17, Phyzikal was incarcerated for a drug charge where he remained until he turned 18 and upon his release, relocated to Puerto Rico. It was there that he connected and recorded music with Daddy Yankee and Lito MC Cassidy. He also collaborated with Grammy-winning reggaeton producers Echo and Diesel. Phyzikal eventually made his way to Atlanta where he aligned his talents with hitmaker Jazze Pha. It wasn’t long before he attracted the attention of the late Shakir Stewart of Def Jam where LA Reid was at the helm and he signed a deal. But after Stewart’s passing and Reid’s exit to Epic, Phyzikal followed suit. During this period of transition, the young hustler logged countless studio hours with Waka Flocka, The Dream, Roscoe Dash, Don Cannon and Drumma Boy. Over the next few years, he enjoyed the trappings of hood fame but began having personal and professional challenges. In 2015, he was shot and hospitalized in Indiana ironically on the same day as his twin daughters were born. By 2017, he was back behind iron poles. He was released in 2020.
Phyzikal continues to represent the spirit of 90s hip-hop but with an unlikely mix of r&b and jazz-inflected sounds. On his latest project, Cheese and Wine, the compelling and conceptual content reflects this new vibe. It’s a collection of songs curated for listeners with a broad musical palette. In other words, his audible art is an acquired taste. Even those working behind the boards, including the engineer and production team, have all earned a Grammy. This level of care and discernment lends to the high vibrational quality and inspirational tone of his latest body of work. Houston legend Bun B also makes an appearance to add to the storehouse of classic compositions. From raw wordplay and brilliant storytelling, to melodic, soul-drenched backdrops and live instrumentation, Phyzikal has emerged as the Miles Davis of rap.
© 2021, Seth "Digital Crates" Barmash. All rights reserved.
