1. What is your name/stage name?
Phathom
2. Where are you from?
Seattle / Tacoma (Pacific Northwest)
3. What do you do?
Music Producer + Semi Retired MC. I don’t think anyone that has made music for a long time can ever truly walk away, that itch will always be there.
4. How long have you been making music?
I started making music in the mud too late 90s, then expanded into production in the early 2000s, and have been making music ever since.
5. What was your first song/project?
Like every young person who starts making music in school, I dropped a few unofficial projects in Highschool and even early college, however my most notable release came in 2004/2005 which featured artists like Canibus, Chino XL, Crooked I, Mainflow, J-Rice and Production from Legendary Producer Domingo.
6. Who’s your inspiration?
As an MC, I was inspired to start rhyming the first time I heard a Canibus freestyle. I tried to emulate his entire style, sound, rhyming ability, I wanted to be a version of him.
As a producer, I’m influenced by so many greats, everyone from 9th Wonder, Dilla, Nottz, Domingo, Stoupe, Pharrell, Ryan Leslie, Brian Michael Cox, 7 Aurelius, and more. I try and be as eclectic as possible with my production.
7. What genre of music do you create?
Primarily hiphop, however being eclectic I also produce pop, r&b and more. I don’t think a producer should be limited to one style/sound.
8. Do you come up with your song concepts?
I do. I tend to create records based on who I hear on them and develop the concept that would best fit those artists stylistically.
9. What was it like working with Canibus, Chino XL, Crooked I?
Was honestly a dream come true, now they are some of my best friends/brothers. Chino was the first one I connected with, then crooked, then canibus was the final piece. Meeting the person who influenced me to start is indescribable.
Now we share pictures of our kids, talk about life and build regularly. These guys are some of the most genuine people I’ve ever met and they have taught me so much, not only about music and being an mc, but life in general. I’m forever thankful for them.
10. What are some features you have?
Canibus, Chino XL, Crooked I, J.Cole, Mainflow, Copywrite, Chris Rivers, Sly Boogie, RasKass, Journalist, Datin, Stefan0tto, K-Drama, Angie Rose, Monster Tarver, Mouthpi3ce, Jered Sanders, Selah the Corner, C4 Crotona, Mike Teezy, Jes Norris, Alcott, Battz, R-Swift, DYP, Verseatile, Byron Woo, Q-Flo, James Fate, Prodi, T.Coda, Azeekah, Godina, F.L.O.G.I.C, Bumps INF, Young C, S.O, Ashlee Keaton, A-F-R-O, LMNO, Cephas, Will Cata, Bri3jet, Brian Cody, J-Rice and more
11. What are some features you want to get?
At this stage in my career I’ve been blessed to have worked with almost everyone on my bucket list, however there are a few left. Would love a Kool G Rap record, would love to work with Evidence from Dilated Peoples, Planet Asia, Andy Mineo, Sevin, Saigon, Rakim, Nas, and a few others.
12. Who’s one person, dead or alive, that you’d want to work with?Can’t just name one, would love to have worked with Pun, Sean Price, Big L, and of course J.Dilla.
13. Last question, why do you make music?
I make music to Glorify God, he is truly the reason I do anything. I genuinely want to bridge the gap between the church/faith and the world, and use music as that gateway.
Being able to connect people from all walks of life together for the sole purpose of consuming content/music and at the same time have the opportunity to share the gospel in a way they may have never heard means everything.
I want to reflect Christ in everything I do, especially my music.
Follow Him On Instagram (@iamphathom)
