Phillip Kayode Moses, more commonly known as Pheelz has recently released the third and final EP, “Pheelz Good II”, which is a part of his acclaimed “Pheelz Good” series beginning in February last year.
His latest project saw him delve into different emotions and personal experiences he had encountered whilst on his journey of self-reflection since becoming a global artist. The tracks featured tell unique tales that explore themes such as love, personal struggles, vulnerability and successes as he aimed to showcase his artistic versatility.
The Lagos-born singer/producer, born June 1994, became most notable for his 2022 collaboration “Finesse” with singer Bnxn, raking up more than 160 million streams on Spotify alone. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength, working with the likes of Usher, Davido and Wizkid to name a few. He has received numerous acknowledgements including becoming the first Nigerian to perform at the BET Awards and earned nominations from the BET and MOBO Awards.
Deeds Magazine had the opportunity to talk with Pheelz where we spoke about his childhood, how he got into music, how he created his latest EP and what is next for him in the future.
To start, thank you for talking to Deed’s Magazine. It is a pleasure.
Firstly, could you tell us about your upbringing; how did you get into music?
I got into music through church. That was the first place I encountered music. Growing up I was a very musical kid. My mum would say I started singing at the age of six months old. Six months old was when I started singing melodies (laughs).
But my first vivid memory was in the church. I had an encounter with the choir while they were singing and there was an experience of emotion in the church. How the song made them feel, how the music made them feel. It looked to me like power. I told myself, yeah, I want this power, I want to be able to do this.
So, how did you get into the music industry and become an artist?
Immediately when I got into the choir and became the choirmaster. I would write songs for church, I would record songs for the church for special programmes and kept doing that. I kept producing as well because I learnt how to play the keyboard, the drums, the saxophone, and the guitar.
I would pick up instruments and just teach myself.
Wow, very impressive.
Thank you.
Then I found out that I could record them with a computer. I think I had a Pentium 2 computer back then. I think it was my brother’s. So, I would download tracks and crash the laptop. (laughs).
I then figured out how to record my vocals and I think that was when I became an artist.
Following this, could you explain how you got discovered?
A friend of my dad’s. He is an artist, and he had a song back then. So, he would come to see my dad and talk to my dad. I was just a little kid so I would run up to him and be like “Oh I make music too” because I had this CD of beats that I had already created. I gave it to him to listen. I then just forgot about it.
At some point, he listened to it a couple of months later and then he came back to see my dad. He said he played it for ID Cabasa. He liked it and wanted to meet me.
A lot happened trying to get my parents to let me go because I was 14 at this point.
So, you were really young?
Yeah, I was very young.
But then at some point, they did allow me.
Did you find that hard considering you were quite young?
It was tough, but I didn’t mind because I was doing what I loved. I was still going to church, still a choirmaster at 14 years old, so I would still have to be in church every Saturday and Sunday.
I had to be in the studio Monday to Friday, to be an intern under ID Cabasa. That was where I met Olamide. Olamide was right there in the studio as well. That’s when we became friends.
I would like to touch on your musical inspiration. Where did you get it from?
My house was like 50 naira away from Alaba International Market. So, I would save up and go there and listen to jazz, Indian music, Nigerian music, and Fuji music.
So just everything?
It was just everything and there was a lot of gospel because of church.
Now that we know a little more about you, I think it is time to move on to your new EP. I did some research and saw it was the third and final one as part of your trilogy series. Could you tell us what is it about?
It’s all about my feelings and emotions. It captures a moment of me figuring it out. I’ve just been through an era of feelings and that is why the music feels all over the place.
There is no one sound that sounds the same. Every track has a different feeling and a different emotion.
What is the message you want listeners to take away from it?
The message I want to send is to be human. It is ok to be human. It’s ok to have flaws, it’s ok to be imperfect. There is perfection in imperfection. The beauty is in the flaws.
That is why I am as vulnerable as I am on “Kamakaze”. These are the emotions that I feel, and it all feels good.
No pun intended (laughs).
No pun intended (laughs).
Ok, when I read your answer regarding your inspiration behind the EP you said, “It allows you to introduce the world to a new style of Afrobeats.” What style did you refer to here and how does it differ from other artists?
I have the power to draft a sound, not just the lyrics but the music, the beats, the look and feel of the vibe. I’m taking it as a responsibility to teach the world that (African music) is a plethora of sound. We can merge with your sound and create this and create that. It is not just one way.
Ok, what was your favourite song that you enjoyed creating on this EP?
That’s not a fair question.
Why?
I don’t have one favourite. They’re all so beautiful and different. They’re like my children.
Ok, top three in no order. Kamakaze, Majo, Fever.
How did you find producing and singing those songs?
It was so much fun.
Were there any tough moments where you struggled to produce songs and what did you do to solve that?
I stop, and I leave it for as long as I can. I almost forget about it sometimes.
I have other forms of expression that help me. Sometimes I paint. My whole studio and crib are filled with my paintings. I do 3-D art and read as well. Just do other things apart from making music. That works most of the time.
Looking back at your career, what has been your fondest/favourite memory since you became a star?
There’s the Dr Dre moment, the Timberland moment, there’s the Pharrell (Williams) moment, my moment with Usher.
It’s hard for me to choose a moment as a favourite. For me, I look at them all as lessons. I’m grateful for all of them.
When did you realise that you had ‘made it?’
It would be the O2. I did it two days after I released “Finesse” and everywhere lit up. Watching 20,000 people singing your song back at you word for word.
That does something to a man.
In that moment it was an out-of-body experience. It was a moment for Davido and I because we were just screaming at each other on stage.
There are so many Afrobeat artists on the market right now. You have Rema, Ayra Starr and Davido to name a few. Why do you think people gravitate towards your style of music? What makes you unique?
Nobody makes music the way I make it. I believe I have a mission that is bigger than me and this is all part of my story.
Do you ever have times of doubt?
Who doesn’t?
I see it as weather. Sometimes it’s rainy, sometimes it’s sunny. I feel like it is important to push through the doubts and anxieties.
I presume this also means you have a great support system behind you to help you through these tougher times.
Yes. I have my best friend. Shout out to my team, to my manager and to God too. Let me give them all shout-outs.
So, onto your loyal fans. I heard they call themselves the “Pheelz Good Tribe”. How does that feel?
Ah that’s what I want, that is what I’ve always wanted.
The Tribe is going to be global man. I call myself the Tribe leader because it's a tribe of people who just feed off each other’s energy.
I like having this personal relationship with my fans. I try as much as possible to find ways for us to get in touch or for them to see my life and understand that I’m human as well.
Did you ever believe you would be where you are today? Do you think you’ve reached your peak?
Hell no. I think this is rehearsals for what’s to come.
Did I predict this as a kid? No.
I just knew I loved making music and I wanted to be a musician. I didn’t care about how big I got or how far I went. I just wanted to be a very good musician. What I cared about most was learning as much as I could and being the best at it.
What is next in your musical journey?
Tours man. Tours, arenas, and stadiums. Where I can communicate with the tribe and we can just have fun, rave, and share moments together.
I want to travel the world. Spend time with my friends and keep being me.
Final question. What advice would you give to upcoming artists?
Try as much as possible to detach yourself from expectations. Also, check your beliefs. Nobody said it would be easy, but no one said it would be impossible.
Keep grinding.
