PHZ-Sicks

Song Review-The Constant by PHZ-Sicks featuring Lyriciss produced by Best Kept Secret

by Dan-O

PHZ-Sicks (Physics, get it? Could be worse…could be Lil PHZ-Sicks) new mixtape The Moment has some moments but none as penetratingly arresting as this song. It’s a song I hadn’t thought of reviewing until I realized how much I kept coming back to it. The Moment has a stream of sadness running through it relating to prisons and violence but a lot of mixtapes do. Most artists are directly contradictory about such subjects going from “I will shoot my enemies!” to “I miss my fallen friends” never discussing the cycle all of the violence is a part of and above all never speaking against it. I don’t know if it’s a warrior’s street code but its nothing I could ever be a part of. Personally if something is wrong I yell it as loud as I can be heard, that’s exactly what The Constant was made to do.

Over a perfectly emotive boom bap thump PHZ-Sicks (can I shorten this? Just call him fizz or Mr. Sicks?) talks about gun violence in that tone of voice Kanye had when he called out the obvious about George W. Bush “How many bullets in Sandy Hook does it take to change a young black or brown kid in DC’s fate? It was a tragedy not saying that I told you so but if we were real about these gun laws could have avoided this some time ago.” This isn’t a stand out line snuck into a song, this is a song made out of a white knuckled soapbox rant. The first line in it is “The smell of pissy hallways shouldn’t feel like home.” After a few lines he stops and just says “pissed” with an exclamation point that comes from rolling this around in his head for a long time. Don’t call this song conscious rap call it town hall rap and value hearing an impassioned voice do what the founders wanted this music to do, be heard. - Free Music Empire

There's stupid rapper names, and then there's PHZ-Sicks. Pronounced 'physics', surely there are still some smart, yet respectable names left in the rap repertoire to help listeners find music online without difficulty. All the top emcees have opted for simple monikers: Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem, Drake - meaning that PHZ-Sicks has already hindered his progress in terms of accessibility and memorability. Which is a shame, because he has engineered a record here with enough velocity to force his way in to the minds of many rap fans, despite never really dropping any joules. With all the Physics-based puns out of my system, it'll surprise you to find out that there is next to no mention of Physics, or any other science on this highly polished effort from the VA resident. So if PHZ-Sicks isn't on some scientific flex, what exactly does he rap about on "The Moment"?

To be fair, there is a bit of everything on here that while leaning on more commercial sensibilities with the featured singers, does maintain authenticity. What's most remarkable about this release is just how polished the whole thing sounds - PHZ-Sicks clearly takes his game seriously. Listening to "The Moment" it's clear PHZ-Sicks has spent some time researching what makes a good record: cohesion, catchy hooks, and at ten tracks deep, it's a succinct yet never short affair.

Lyrically he isn't mind-blowing like his name may suggest, but with a flow not unlike Kendrick Lamar that is never too predictable the way it switches up at random moments, this proves a worthy listen and another example of the gems that can be discovered on Bandcamp these days. If you don't believe me, listen to "Brim Low", a guaranteed radio hit that sees Alison Carney turn what is a banger in to a full-blown firework display. "Love Scene III" has a Timbaland quality to the production that is dominated by Scolla's vocal performance. Scolla is joined by the aforementioned Alison Carney and PHZ-Sicks on a strong piece of R&B that admittedly sounds out of place in the centre of the album - it would have made a good closing song. The clear influence of Kendrick Lamar (which isn't a bad thing) shows through on "The Constant" with PHZ-Sicks' playful delivery. In terms of rapping technique, it's the clear highlight on a record that isn't bogged down in being just hip hop.
Production ranges from quirky to more formulated club pieces that are heavier on thumps and whomps than Super Mario. One for the gamers there, and even though this is a professionally crafted "moment" - this is just like the Nintendo franchise in its crisp, meticulously put together execution that although not a classic like Super Mario Galaxy, is a strong example of the medium - call it a Super Mario Sunshine. Considering PHZ-Sicks is under many hip hop radars, it's noteworthy how much potential he has here even if he never comes across as a rapper that's "got bars." This is PHZ-Sicks you'll almost certainly enjoy.

Music Vibes: 7.5 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 6.5 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 7 of 10 - RapReviews.com

Holy schnikes, happy 2014 everybody!

My apologies for the disappearing act last week, but Newdust head Josh Stewart and I were busy getting into a car wreck on the way home from skiing in Vermont and had to spend the night at a snowed in hotel in Lake George, NY. It was a great way to start the new year.

But I have some great news…

First: WE’RE ON SPOTIFY!

Yes, as I mentioned two weeks ago, I finally caved and put together a Spotify account. Now you can follow the brand new TSYFK 2014 Playlist, which will be updated weekly with the new TYSFK for that week, and rock out to my great music taste wherever you go.

Secondly: IT’S TIME FOR MY PREDICTIONS FOR 2014!

Last year, I Nostradamused that Frightened Rabbit would reach a new level of stardom with their most recent album, that 90’s alternative rock would be a major influence in music, that funk would see a reemergence as a genre, and that we would ultimately view Kendrick Lamar’s good kid m.A.A.d city as superior to A$AP Rocky’s LONG.LIVE.A$AP.

With the exception of the funk prediction, I’d say I pretty much nailed it, so while I’m feeling cocky, let’s move onto this year’s predictions…

PREDICTION #2: Hip-Hop Is Going To Get More Experimental

Back when Jack Black was funny, Tenacious D released a song called “The Metal,” in which they describe all the different genres—like grunge and new wave— that have tried to kill metal music in the past, only for metal to survive time and time again.

This is where hip-hop is at now.

Pop music has done its best over the past decade or so to boa constrict hip-hop to death, enveloping it with half-talented female vocalists and saccharine beats and coaxing it into producing lazy, mass-appealing verses. But that makes sense. Hip-hop shares a lot of the same DNA with pop and the two have seen mutual success when paired together.

But EDM’s attack on hip-hop has been a different story all together.

EDM is like the super virus that the world wasn’t ready for. It spread quickly and took over most of pop music’s world faster than you can say Avicii. Then it set its sights on hip-hop…

And it was smart in its plan. It lured hip-hop in by flaunting its dancefloor-ready beats and disguising simple Ableton parlor tricks as bold new instrumentation. Even those like Lupe Fiasco, who is considered a fairly creative hip-hop artist, fell for the trap (see: Friend of the People).

But hip-hop is finally catching on that’s something is up and is doing it’s best to rebel by going avant garde.

You could argue that this trend has been building for a while, maybe starting with My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, or channel ORANGE, or Odd Future’s releases, but hip-hop has been getting weirder lately (and it’s been awesome).

Kanye’s Yeezus, Earl Sweatshirt’s Doris, Childish Gambino’s misfire Because The Internet, and even Chance the Rapper’s phenomenal Acid Rap mixtape all stretch the limits of conventional hip-hop into previously unthought realms. It would be hard to argue that it’s been with complete success, but after a fairly long stagnation in terms of stylistic evolution, the fact the genre is pushing the envelope again is a great sign.

To keep this DC local, a few weeks ago I got an email from a Virginia rapper that goes by PHZ-Sicks who wanted me to check out his album The Moment. Since I have all the time in the world for DC area artists, I gave it a chance and was pleasantly surprised to hear what I expected to be a straightforward hip-hop album delve into some fairly bizarre territories. There were complex song structures, experimental instrumentation arrangements, and an overall cinematic feel to the whole thing.

PHZ-Sicks explains, “The constant change of dynamics intrigues the listener to see what comes next. I aimed to implement that with breakdowns all throughout the album to keep it a constantly moving and filled with emotion.”

Fortunately for PHZ-Sicks—and hip-hop as a whole—creating songs as opposed to just laying down raps has never been easier. Unlike rock music, which has been watered down by the emergence of user-friendly professional music software, hip-hop artists get the benefit of being able to relatively easily craft songs that are more than just verses laid over samples. Honestly, it’s probably hip-hop’s greatest asset in its fight for individuality against the evils of pop and EDM.

And it doesn’t hurt that some of the biggest names in mainstream hip-hop are all venturing out of their comfort zones. I mean, we’ve got rumored releases from Outkast, Kanye, and Wu-Tang all somewhere out there on the horizon. You’re telling me you expect any of them to be throwing fastballs down the plate at this point in their respective careers?

No way. - Brightest Young Things

PHZ-Sicks – The Moment

“This album is seamless, as if he’s been doing it forever. What I love about this album is that while it’s hip hop, it blurs the rigid lines of genres. PHZ-Sicks combines fresh raps over nostalgic beats of late 90’s/early 2000’s R&B and hip-hop. PHZ-Sicks also discusses some pretty heavy stuff, touching on slavery, racism, and discrimination. PHZ-Sicks is kind of that fly on the wall who samples all kinds of music- old or as recent as today’s mainstream rappers, and mashes it up into something everyone can enjoy.” - Eternity - The Come Up Show

1. How did you get your name?

As every MC experiences, your first rap name is always horrible, so you have to come up with something new. I believe I was in middle school and I just had the idea that I was going to grab my science book, go to glossary, and whatever my finger lands on will be name. Fate was going to decide the rap name. Good thing it didn't land on opposable thumbs or amoeba. Physics can explain everything about life. It’s essential to it and I feel like that’s my role when it comes to music. The spelling and hyphen were all done just for aesthetic purposes.

2. What inspired you to become a rap artist?

It was a natural progression from the love of writing and just the love of flow. I can say in 5th grade listening to Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's E. 1999 Eternal, I would just mimic their flow. I wouldn't be saying jack shit but I enjoyed being able to copy their patterns. As my writing went from stories to poems, it eventually led to writing rap songs. That led to battling that led to getting better at song writing and so on and so on. It's a great challenge to try to be a part of every aspect of being an MC and it never gets stagnant for me.

3. When did you start? Tell me about your discography, specifically your most recent full-length.

The start is in the eye of the beholder. I started really rhyming and battling around 14 years old. Around 16, I was putting out my own mixtape with mixes from all the great New York DJs at the time (Clue, Funk Flex, Kay Slay), that featured a song or two from me. It was a great hustle to have in school. From there, I put out a few full length projects but for most people, they will say my start began during my college years. In 2008, I had an idea for a somewhat connected trilogy. The first project was The Feature Presentation which had me over industry beats hence the word feature as also included the artist who's beat I rhymed over. The last song on that project was the first song on the next full project, Less Than Zero, which was a concept mixtape about an artist starting from the bottom of the grind, getting to the top, having success go to his head, people leave, depression and the resurrection of the new person he became. The triumphant. That theme continued onto "The Laws of PHZ-Sicks" in 2011. And now here we are, 2 years later, looks like a ripe time for a new project.

4. What’s your favorite thing to do when you aren't writing/producing/playing etc?


Film and TV. If you listening to any of my music, you can hear the countless references to film and TV characters, themes, and etc. I'm the guy that listens to the director's commentary on a blu-ray. Each year, I head to Austin, Texas for a film festival called Fantastic Fest. This expansive knowledge of film has also allowed me to have a huge hands in my videos and co-directing my videos.

5. Who are your musical inspirations?

I will say it would have to be Prince, Jay Z, and Kanye West. Prince is the ultimate artist to me as he is daring, doing the music he wants to do, and his songwriting ability to me is amazing. When you put out a song like I Will Die 4 U and it could be a pop love song or a gospel song, you've hit something. Also bringing the emotion to music is important to me. Kanye runs into this gamut of an artist on his own plane. He brings that I'm going to do the music I want to and emotion to his track which is missing in Hip Hop, especially the mainstream. Jay Z is like the golden snitch every hip hop artist strives for. Lyrical, mainstream, and making a crazy amount of money doing what you love to do. At the end of the day, doing what you love to do is what's important.

6. What kind of music do you listen to today?
I rarely listen to music when I'm working on a project. I usually keep it to podcast like Spill.com, OneOfUs.net, and Rage Select. Other than that, a lot of soul from the 60s and 70s, and I have been bumping some of the new Pusha T, Justin Timberlake, and Diplo.

7. What surprises would we find in your music collection?
I guess the tons of disco that's in my collection. I'm talking about disco when it was all live instrumentation and before the synths came in and basically turned it into a one-note song. Bass grooves, catchy hooks, and beautiful, lush sounds. How can you not like disco if you have taste?

8. Today's music is about collaborations what "hot" rapper out now, you would love to work with on a project?

I would have to say Jay Z, Kanye, Kendrick Lamar, and Nas is probably it.

9. What do you think your listeners will get out of your music?
I hope every range of emotion. All I want is to connect with the listener through my music. That's what makes music timeless to someone. I want them to hear my music 10 years from now and be transported to a certain event. Happiness. Sad. Joy. Want to dance. A - Death Chamberz Music

Hyattsville, MD – Through the lens of Thomas Merton, art is where artists may find and lose themselves simultaneously. Over the past two years, Woodbridge, VA hip hop artist PHZ-Sicks has done both in the process of creating his upcoming release The Moment. Perfecting his craft since age 14, PHZ-Sicks hopes listeners get more than well-placed word play and rhymes when taking in his music.

PHZ-Sicks describes his new project as, “highly creative and highly personal.”

“There is a reason it takes me two years to drop a project because it takes a lot out of me cause I leave it all on the table,” he said. “The Moment is a project I’m so proud of that I named it The Moment to signify the feeling where I will be taking off. This is where it begins for me.”

With The Moment, PHZ-Sicks believes he’s meeting a goal he carries into the making of every project. He endeavors to leave behind a legacy of great music that will touch the listener eternally.



“Whenever they hear it, it will always transport them to a moment in their life, a feeling. That’s what it’s all about in the end: moments,” he said.

With smooth hitting, retro tracks such as “Coming Down” ft TFOX and “Lost And Found” ft. metropolitan area sweetheart Alison Carney, PHZ-Sicks opens the door to his thoughts on love, women and his upbringing. He also hails the virtues of African American women in the song “Black Women”, indicating his extreme admiration for those Black women who respect themselves and command respect from others.171F9161

While lyrically traveling across many topics, Phz-Sicks says he lays it all out because there’s nothing else he enjoys more than making honest music.

“This is my passion, my love, my heart line,” he said. “I can’t see myself not doing music, not creating, not being me in the fullest artistic sense. Money or no money, music is dear to me,” he said.

Like a scientist in the lab, PHZ-Sicks examines his words and puts together his final works like puzzles. He often creates music by joining fragments of thoughts which come to him in spurts over time.

“I might be driving, taking a shower, or watching something and I get inspired and write it down. This happens for a few months, and after I’m done selecting the beats for the project, I have a puzzle in front of me, and it’s up to me to put them together,” he said.

PHZ-Sicks shares that although he has grown accustomed to making his music career happen on his own, he hopes to create a team in the near future. He also issues a warning to artists just entering into the music business saying this job isn’t for those who will turn at the plow.

“If you’re not doing it cause you love it, find something else you love to do,” said Phz-Sicks.

He encourages younger artists to make the music they want to make.

“You’ll get way further, (be) more successful, and add more longevity to your career than sounding like the popular artist at the time. Be you. There is only one of you and your music should reflect that,” he concluded.

The Moment will be available on November 26. - Love.Music.More

About a year has passed since the site last heard from Virginia rapper PHZ-Sicks. But he is back in action and set to release a new full length album entitled "The Moment" in November. One of the songs that will appear on the LP is called "Coming Down." It was produced by Best Kept Secret and features another VA artist, TFOX. According to PHZ-Sicks, it was inspired by: his life in the South, 70s Blaxploitation films, late multi-talented R&B artist Curtis Mayfield, and infamous Hip-Hop duo OutKast. So what exactly does all of that amount to? Let's dive into the song and find out.
The production here is sleek. It is made up of: a level foundation, soulful secondary components, a measured pace, and a polished vibe. The hook is likeable. The vocals are charming and the lyrics are proper. The verses are of a shipshape quality. PHZ-Sicks provides a fervent flow, prevalent wordplay, and thorough rhymes. He gives the listener the run down on some of his earlier mentioned sources of inspiration, which also unveils a little bit about him on a personal level. A couple of interesting lines are: "For four years I was raised in Mississippi. Fried chicken and some collard greens. Ham-hocks in the pot. Black-eyed peas every New Year's Eve. Look up to my uncles. They were them top niggas. On Sundays, it was against the law but my grandma was selling that liquor. That product in that pick up. Black pride with my fist up. Grandfather wasn't around but I knew he had his fifth up." Strong opening bars that really grab the listener's attention right there. All in all, this selection was a success.

**My Two Cents: I dig this cut. PHZ-Sicks' influences were well represented, the content was solid, and the production was satisfying. I look forward to seeing what else he has to offer after going through a two year hiatus. He discusses his time away, the upcoming album, and more via the above video. Readers should take a peek at it when they have a few minutes to spare. It's pretty interesting. -MinM - The Illixer

It’s been a hot minute since Virginia-based rhymesayer PHZ-Sicks last rolled through The DJBooth; Success/Failure hit our front page way back in December of 2010. A man can change a lot in three years, but I’m happy to say that new single Comin’ Down features the same witty, self-assured rhymesayer we came to know and love at the top of the decade. And his mic skills have only improved in the interim; delivered over Best Kept Secret‘s breezy flute loops and languid, whip-ready rhythm section, the rapper’s autobiographical verses showcase his upgraded flow, as well as his knack for lyrical narrative. Complete with a falsetto hook by TFOX, this low-key banger is slated for inclusion on PHZ’s next street album, The Moment. Watch our pages for further singles leading up to the set’s digital release in November. - DJBooth.net

PHZ-Sicks

On PHZ-Sicks' new single, "Coming Down," he wants you to know where he came from: "For four years, I was raised in Mississippi, fried chicken and some collard greens/Ham hocks in a pot, black eyed peas every New Year's Eve." He shouts out his uncles and grandfather. And that's just the opening verse. From there, the Woodbridge, Va., rapper uses a Southern-fried beat (courtesy of Best Kept Secret) and reconfigured OutKast bars to put more "V" in the DMV. "Coming Down" is the first single from PHZ-Sicks' forthcoming album, The Moment, out in November. - Washington City Paper

Woodbridge, VA rapper PHZ-Sicks (pronounced “physics”) has released a video offering a sneak peek into the making of his forthcoming album The Moment, dropping in November. His last full-length was 2011’s The Laws Of PHZ-Sicks. PHZ was a 2011 DMV Best VA Male Rap Artist nominee and has opened for Wale, J. Cole and more. The video features Electric Soul artist Alison Carney and engineer Mr. Wise, member of production duo Team Demo and producer of Sean Price’s “Haraam” and 50 Cent’s “Crime Wave.” See the video at http://youtu.be/fSw9T96rCQA. - Music Connection Magazine

Just five years deep into his career, PHZ-Sicks is already thinking about the legacy he wants to leave behind. "A thousand years from now when aliens come back and civilization is fucked up and everything is crumbling, and somebody finds my mixtape and says 'Okay, this is who he was."
At the age of 24, the Virginian native is determined to make timeless music. Instead of sticking to conventional beats to attract radio attention, PHZ-Sicks utilizes intricate production from the likes of Hudson Mohawk and Fly Lotus to push forward his brand of futuristic bump ready for the streets ("Fresh Cut"), mixed with lush live instrumentation for anthemic stadium songs ("Success/Failure").
"I feel like he's one of the artists that every time he releases music he consistently gets better and tries new things," says friend and collaborator Seanny Greggs. "I think he's one of the artists that, at least for the DMV... can create his own path and I think that's what separates him from other artists."
Currently working on music videos and tour dates to accompany his latest project, The Laws of PHZ-Sicks, PHZ-Sicks feels it's his live show that differentiates him from the other mixtape emcees saturating the market. - Urbanology Magazine

Just five years deep into his career, PHZ-Sicks is already thinking about the legacy he wants to leave behind. "A thousand years from now when aliens come back and civilization is f*cked up and everything is crumbling, and somebody finds my mixtape and says 'Okay, this is who he was.'"
At the age of 24, the Virginian native is determined to make timeless music. Instead of sticking to conventional beats to attract radio attention, PHZ-Sicks utilizes intricate production from the lies of Hudson Mohawke and Flying Lotus to push forward his brand of futuristic bump ready for the streets ("Fresh Cut"), mixed with lush live instrumentation for anthemic staium songs ("Success/Failure").
I feel like he's one of the artists that every time he releases music he consistently gets better and tries new things," says friend and collaborator Seanny Greggs. "I think he's one of the artists that, at least for the DMV...can create his own path and I think that's what separates him from other artists."
Currently working on music videos and tour dates to accompany his latest product, The Laws of PHZ-Sicks, PHZ-Sicks feels it's his live show that differentiates him from the other mixtape emcees saturatiing the market. "I know for a fact that a lot of what people see me from or a lot of people are like 'oh, you need to check this artist out,' is from live performances or hearing people talking about my live performances," says PHZ-Sicks. "When I'm on stage --- I'm me and I'm part of the music --- and I like right now life and music are like a cash cow and I'm going to try to milk it for everything that it's worth."
Having performed alongside J. Cole and Wale, PHZ-Sicks hopes to take his regional success national this year. Never performing the same set twice, he's determined to keep it fresh and creates original material that he only spits live. "If someone comes to a show on Tuesday and they come to a show on Thursday they're not going to be same show," says PHZ-Sicks. "You always have to be able to surprise people and you know, people like Kanye or Jay-Z are able to do that."
Likening himself to the former, Mr. West, as well as Prince, PHZ-Sicks hopes to assert himself in the same ranks as his influences. But for the time being his focus is to create innovative visuals by whatever means possible. "My stratey is to do shows and also, you know start to drop videos from now until next year... I feel like the visuals for a video can grab peope ... With me, everything is about creativity and trying something new ... This is exactly what I want to do, this is my vision. It might be different but it's not contrived." - Urbanology (June 2012 issue)

Video post on one of the biggest hip hop sites on the net - AllHipHop.com

1) I2G is here, how’s it going PHZ Sicks ?

Everything is going great. I’m living life hoping for a good day and greater tomorrow.

2) For those unfamiliar with you as an artist, tell me a little bit about how you got your start in music and who are some of your musical influences out there coming up.

I am PHZ-Sicks (pronounced physics), a 24 year old hip hop artist from the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia), more specifically Woodbridge, Virginia. I’ve had the knack for writing since I was a kid and by the time I got to high school, I knew Hip Hop was what I wanted to do. I battled rap my way to having a buzz in Northern Virginia and was one of the first to sell mixtapes at every high school in the area. That money came in handy when I was college student. From there I perfected my craft in songwriting, lived life as a college student, and became a better performer. This led me to being the person and artist that I am today. I put every nuance and ounce in my music and aim to build a legacy with my art that will live on years after I’m gone.

My musical influences are Prince, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Al Green, and OutKast. Artist that I give a nod to that coming up that inspire me to go harder with my music are Kendrick Lamar, Big K.R.I.T., Lyriciss, and Scolla. The work these fellas put in and quality that comes with it shows there is no half-assing with your art.

3) What are you currently working on now that is getting ready to drop either in 2012 or 2013?

I’m currently working on two projects at the moment. One is an untitled mixtape that will be hosted by Mz. Stylez of Sirius/XM Hip Hop Nation show, The Femme Fatale Show. That will be a six to 8 song project, while the bigger one, “The Moment” is continuation of the larger sound and scope I’m trying to reach after “The Laws of PHZ-Sicks.” I’m currently in the writing stages for both projects and should start recording at the end of the month or early March. I have something that the world is not ready for.

4) Any good memories or studio sessions that stick out to you from that project?

The whole “The Laws of PHZ-Sicks” session was great looking back at it. I’m such much of a perfectionist that it’s hard for me to get out of my head while I’m there. I’m making sure that my vocal and flow is right, that the beat sounds sonically grand, if not, I’ll change things according to how I want it, but I like having my hands in to everything when I’m in the studio even if I’m being hard as hell on myself. With that, it helps to have good people in the studio with you. Wise, who engineered the whole mixtape, kept things light and fun. When I recorded “Point Em Out” with Scolla and Seanny Greggs, it was a blast. So much of a blast that that footage turned into a music video. I’m really looking forward to getting back in the studio and putting it out in to the world. The studio is great but nothing is better than being able to perform and touch the people that are feeling your music. Also, the ability of putting visuals to your music is something I love to do. "Success/Failure" was my first time working behind the camera and it won't be my last due to the results and feedback.
5) I just wanted to go over your catalogue of albums and ask you what are your favorite moments from each
I’ve been doing mixtapes since I was 15 so that be a lot to go through but I will comment on the last three projects since they came out during the blogger-era of the music industry.

“The Feature Presentation” was my foray back into the music scene after a hiatus in college, but most importantly in the DMV. They were only two original tracks, that I horrendously mixed myself, but the feedback for it was great. It open doors for me in the area and I gained connections with a ton of great artist such as Phil Ade, Fat Trel, Lyriciss, Uptown XO, Pro’Verb, G-Two, and others.

“Less Than Zero” was a concept mixtape that I had on my mind for a few years. It was a large task for an unknown artist but once again opened great doors for me. The song “No More Breaks” gained attention from 2DopeBoyz, which made my fanbase expand. That song also gave me the chance to perform in front of the US Capitol. That’s something not a lot of artist can say they have done.

“The Laws of PHZ-Sicks” is like my child. I made it, raised it, and put it out in the world, hoping that the world would embrace it. I had reached a point in my music where I was going to do what I like. I know you have to think about your audience, but for me, most importantly as an artist, you have to do something that you’re going to be proud of in the end. That’s what “The Laws of PHZ-Sicks.” The project encompassed my whole song. “SumHer Everlasting” still to this day is being discovered and getting played from here to Australia. I got more personal with songs such as “A Nu Day” and “Legacy.” “Bright” would be my favorite song. The grandiose beat that shifts at the drop of the hat while I’m still riding the beat. That - Illuminati 2G

Personal thought: 2011 for me was not a great year for music, there were a few standouts (three to be precise), but nothing more, constantly we kept hearing artists send a message of how they are G.O.A.T’s, conquering Earth itself, whilst hiding away behind false statements and claim money as their proof of “throne-worthy”. Whilst artists on the mainstream level fought over a nursery chair, it was in fact music from our impressive “Have You Heard” vault that kept the year going. 2012 hopefully will give artists in the underground a lot more recognition of where great music with a clear message should be heard, such as Woodbridge, Virginia’s “PHZ-Sicks”…

Name pronounced as “Physics,” the artist has a lot of experience and knowledge of what it takes to step up a level. Previously opening acts for artists such a J. Cole and Wale, you can consider PHZ-Sicks already has a bit of buzz going for him already, and his latest music video to start 2012 can prove his talents.

“Success/Failure” is a track which appears on PHZ-Sicks mixtape “The Law Of PHZ-Sicks” and features Detroit, Michigan artist Young Scolla. With a easy-flowing original beat and a message of positivity, the music video views a creative look on the idea of success and failure, featuring a split-screen view which, on one side shows process being successful positive manner, and the other side showing the less confident failure side of things. The video ends with the screens coming together, showing a performance from the artist and everyone generally having a good time. As you do.

In general, “Success/Failure” is a great listen. It’s a seemingly uplifting track leaving behind a simple message via the examples of the music video. Overall we at Epic Network will be looking forward to hearing more of PHZ-Sicks this year. Checkout the video below and let us know what you think: - The Epic Network

Hailing from the DC, Maryland, Virginia area (currently referred to as the DMV) rapper PHZ-Sicks recently released The Laws Of PHZ-Sicks Mixtape. We caught up with him this week to get a more in-depth look at his musical background and his ability to gain sponsors for his projects.

Give us a brief introduction of yourself.
What up, World! I’m a 23 year old emcee by the name of PHZ-Sicks (pronounced physics) from the Woodbridge, VA/Northern VA area. I’ve been rhyming for over a decade and always aiming to take my music and music in general to another level.

What is it like in Woodbridge, VA where you're from?
It’s an acquired taste [laugh]. The area is just mixed of new income from corporations coming in to the area, middle class which stems from government workers working there, the increasing amount of homeless people, and illegal immigrants. We’re a mish mash population of those reaching for the concept of the American Dream and sometimes it’s literally right in front of us. It’s that weird complexity that has kind of formed me as an artist and would always give my affinity towards my city.

Is there a sound associated with your area?
The current sound my city most lean towards is the boom bap/Native Tongue sound mixed with a Curren$y-esque type of rhyme style. Those in the area do it quite well, especially on the production end. My sound doesn’t reflect that due to my constant traveling from college in Philadelphia, DC, and back home.

How do you go about getting shows and performances?
My shows and performances usually come from word of mouth or working with promoters. A first impression is always great. You have to show the promoters or whoever you’re working with that, you mean, business. I think where a lot of artist fail is that through Yes men in their crew and others, they believe that they are the star. This inflated ego leads to them being late or rude to promoters who wonder where their whereabouts are and so on. We haven’t made it yet and most of the time, we’re not getting paid. If you’re serious about your craft, go all out for it.

The first thing you should do is always be there on time. Matter fact, be a little early. It shows those running the show that you’re committed to putting on a good show. Secondly, put on a good show. Every show has a theme and as an unknown artist you should format your set to what the show is. I rarely do the same set list twice and with my energy and knowing how to format my set, I’ve gained shows. If you can put on a great show, you’ll always be asked to perform. If you can do great shows and bring in a crowd, you’re now on your way to get paid for all your hard work.

Please tell us about your latest project.
My latest project is entitled, “The Laws of PHZ-Sicks” and is sponsored by blog, Hip Hop Update, the LA-based hat company, Quintin Co., and the Philadelphia based clothing and event company ANMLHSE and was released January 5th.

With a live instrumentation backdrop mixed with an ambient sound brought by producers such as Hudson Mohawke, Best Kept Secret, Flying Lotus, Xtraordinary Gentlemen, Theolonious Dre, Epik Da Dawn, and others, provides a huge and intricate sound that perfectly fits my lyrics. It features Detroit artist Young Scolla and fellow DMV artists Ihsan Bilal and Seanny Greggs. The mixtape focuses on bringing an idea and sound alive. "The Laws of PHZ-Sicks" was a five year journey to get to and in the end became a dream turned reality.

The name and idea came when I first came in to college and I did a few songs for it in 2005, and then put it on the back burner. In '08, I devised my plan to drop three projects: The Feature Presentation, Less Than Zero, and The Laws of PHZ-Sicks. Each one would lead in to the other. In The Feature Presentation was the trailer and at the end of the last song, a snippet of “Take It Back” (the first song on Less Than Zero) ended it. Less Than Zero came and put my foot in the door of being a part of the DMV scene.

The original sound for The Laws of PHZ-Sicks started after around December '09. I started to get beats around that time and started to format it on a sound. This was going to be a more radio geared mixtape. Probably around July, I had about 15 beats but nothing was coming from them. Each song felt forced. Around August, I came across the BKS produced "SumHer Everlasting" and that got the ball rolling for the new sound of the mixtape. Through iLLVibes, I discovered Hudson Mohawke and its history after that. The only beat that survived from the original The Laws Of PHZ-Sicks is “Your Way”. The recording process started in August and ended in the beginning of December.

How do you go about selecting your album features?
As soon as I hear the beat, I know who is going to be on the song. I have an intricate ear for beats so I know out of the entire group of artists I know, who will fit on what. When I heard “A Nu Day” and “Inception”, I immediately contacted Ihsan Bilal - Track Hustle

PHZ-Sicks has released his latest mixtape, "The Laws of PHZ-Sicks", sponsored by Hip Hop Update, Quintin Co., and ANMLHSE. With a live instrumentation backdrop mixed with an ambient sound brought by producers such as Hudson Mohawke, Best Kept Secret, Flying Lotus, Xtraordinary Gentlemen, Theolonious Dre, Epik Da Dawn, and others, provides a huge and intricate sound that perfectly fits the lyrics of PHZ-Sicks. Featuring Detroit artist Young Scolla and fellow DMV artists Ihsan Bilal and Seanny Greggs, the mixtape focuses on bringing an idea and sound alive. "The Laws of PHZ-Sicks" was a five year journey to get to and in the end became a dream turned reality. Welcome to "The Laws of PHZ-Sicks".

For more on PHZ-Sicks, check him out on Twitter, BandCamp, MySpace and ReverbNation. - Refined Hype

DMV MCs Laelo Hood and PHZ-Sicks didn't waste time once the ball dropped, dropping new projects less than a week into the new year.

Their lyrical cadences and subject matter couldn't be more different. Laelo—a member of the D.C.-based InnerLoop imprint with K-BETA, J-Scrilla and others—discusses addiction and his love of smoking weed, among other things. His album Fuck The World, released yesterday, is a gritty, murderous rampage in which no topic or person is safe, and light-hearted listeners aren't allowed.

PHZ-Sicks, a Woodbridge, Va., native, is more alternative in his approach, fusing live instruments with electronic production, resulting in an expansive hip-hop landscape. His new mixtape, The Laws of PHZ-Sicks, has already gotten some attention from this blog. The project, which dropped today, is breezy at some points and stubbornly persistent at others.

Laelo's album is for sale. PHZ-Sicks' album is free. Happy listening, folks! - Washington City Paper

Feb 20, 2009 – A lot of talk is going on about the DC artists emerging onto the music scene, but Northern VA is home to some of the hottest MC’s as well; and one by the name of PHZ-Sicks will be performing LIVE at Haydee’s on Saturday, February 21, 2009. It’s brought to you by The Co-Op Entertainment Company and the name of the series is “Uptown Hip Hop United”. Haydee’s is located at 6303 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The doors open at 7pm, and the show will begin at 8pm. DJ Heat will be spinning and PHZ-Sicks will bless the stage at 9pm.

In other news, PHZ-Sicks latest mixtape “The Feature Presentation” which was released in December 2008, has received over 1400 downloads to date and the number continues to grow. In January 2009, he was interviewed on Power 99 in Philadelphia, one of the largest urban radio stations in the city. PHZ-Sicks has also been chosen by DistrictFresh.com to do a feature with them. It will include an in depth interview on what kind of artist he is and what new projects he will be embarking on in the future. DistrictFresh.com will also be filming at PHZ-Sicks performance at Haydee’s.

For more information on PHZ-Sicks and to download his mixtape “The Feature Presentation”, please visit his MySpace page at www.myspace.com/phzsicks1.

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Candice Nicole PR was founded in June 2007.CNPR is a Public Relations boutique firm that specializes in representing R&B, Pop, & Hip Hop artist, and entertainment events. - Press Release Log

– Oct 07, 2008 – PHZ-Sicks (pronounced Physics) is a 21 year old hip hop sensation in the DMV (DC,MD,VA)area. He appears on the October issue of Enfluzenz Magazine, an online production based in North Carolina. It's an in depth interview on who PHZ-Sicks is as an artist, what he stands for and where he wants his place to be in this ever revolving door called the music industry. To read more, please visit http://www.enfluenzmagazine.com


ABOUT PHZ-SICKS
Influenced by New York rap at the time (Nas, Jay-Z, Biggie, Canibus, DMX), Midwest (Bone Thugs, Do or Die, Twista), and Southern rap (Outkast, Goodie Mob, Pastor Troy), he developed his style. He started his rap career by battling various artists in the area and never listening. In the fall of 2002, he dropped his first mixtape with his cousin Twin in their group Damacus Steel. The mixtape sold over 200 from school to school in the Prince William County. He did it again the following year with an upcoming DJ from Florida named DJ Hailo. The mixtape was called "PHZ-Sicks and DJ Hailo presents Signs Mixtape." On Feb. 1st, 2004, he won Teens Count Teen Talent Show hosted by Rane of WPGC 95.5. He was one of the first rappers to ever win the competition. For more information on PHZ-Sicks, please visit him at http://www.myspace.com/phzsicks1


ABOUT ENFLUENZ MAGAZINE
Enfluenz Magazine is currently an online magazine that is dedicated to providing you with the most intriguing articles, interviews and pictorials available in the entertainment and fashion industry today. With the added convenience of being accessible from any computer, Ipod, mp3 player or PDA device, our plans are to make Enfluenz Magazine one of the most respected and recognized online gentlemen;s magazines available. With the magazine's web-sites' debut barely in hind sight, the hit counter is already tapping counts out at around 40,000 to 90,000 hits per month. By no means will Enfluenz Magazine be just another "men's magazine", exploiting and degrading women. However, it will be a magazine that showcases and promotes the outer and inner beauty of women, while also introducing to the world, extremely talented, and sought after, musical artist, extraordinary fashion designers and entrepreneurs. Enfluenz Magazine understands that models are more than just a pretty face. One of our biggest platforms is to be a very influential outlet for female's models, so that can reach their potential goals in the modeling industry. Enfluenz Magazine provides marketing and promotions for our models, and other talent, through our sister company, jlconnections.com promotion/graphics. jlconnections.com is our marketing and promotion service used to promote Enfluenz Magazine, models, photographers, etc. Through this magazine, we will help create various modeling projects for the models. With the escalating success of Enfluenz Magazine, it is paving the way for our sister magazine, leilani Entertainment Magazine dedicated to the nurturing and empowerment of both men and women http://www.leilanientertainment.com/. It will be through these successes, that our greatest goal of becoming a print magazine will materialize in the very near future.

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Candice Nicole PR was founded in June 2007.CNPR is a Public Relations boutique firm that specializes in representing R&B, Pop, & Hip Hop artist, and entertainment events. - Press Release Log

Summer’s almost over, as you might have noticed. It’s unclear that Woodbridge MC PHZ-Sicks did, though, at least judging by his “SumHer Everlasting,” a light-hearted ode to the season and first single from his forthcoming The Laws of PHZ-Sicks album, due in September.

The five-minute song, produced by D.C. duo Best Kept Secret, takes the midtempo sway of Ginuwine’s “Pony” to tackle the all-too-familiar summer-love theme. But, instead of crooning comparisons between sex and rodeos, PHZ-Sicks rhymes poetic about cookouts, amusement parks, and newfound romance.

Of course, “SumHer Everlasting” doesn’t break new musical ground. Good thing that feel-good summer songs don’t have to. - Washington City Paper

iLLVibes made its appearance at a live performance by Virginia’s own PHZ-Sicks, who just a few months ago dropped his critically acclaimed “Less Than Zero” project. That project reflected various themes in his life, from envy and relationships to the hardships of the game and the struggles that persist throughout life. It is precisely his story-telling abilities that allow the listeners to vicariously live through the music, if not relate to it. In part one of this performance, he performs “No More Breaks”, “Don’t Give Up”, and “Go Off”. Get Part 2 After the Jump, where he performs “Real With It”, “Nothing to Worry About”, and “Hands Up”.

Link to video: http://illvibes-dmv.com/2010/02/16/live-performance-phz-sicks-phz_sicks/ - iLLVibes

The DMV had a music showcase on Sunday, and it was definitely a good look. There was lots of talent in the building, and three artists stood out like crazy. The first artist that killed his performance was Kevin Ross. While it is widely known that the DMV area is more receptive to RnB artists, this dude held his own. His smooth, well trained, and well controlled voice sounded like all the contemporary RnB dudes we love from Maxwell and Carl Thomas, to DMV's own, Raheem Devaughn.

His song selections had the crowd engaged the minute he sang the first note, and by the end of his set, the whole crowd was up on their feet. He showed diversity by providing the audience with a couple of different genres. His first selection was a mid tempo, groovy RnB track, and later on in the show he sang the hook for a rap song performed by himself and a rapper by the name of Don Juan. Whether being in the spotlight or sharing it with another artist, Kevin Ross has a gem of a voice that will continue to make him shine, and enough charisma and swag to take him into the next century!

The next artist that stood out in a heck of a good way was hip-hop artist, Phz-Sicks. Before his set, he walked around like a well behaved church boy, but when he took the stage, a Mandingo warrior came out ready to attack! His energy was on fire, his delivery and flow were consist ant, the production on his tracks was nice, and he knew how to engage his audience. In the middle of his performance, to get the crowds attention, he had his hype man ask him to repeat a verse of lyrics at top speed each time getting a little faster. By the end of that demonstration, listening to him made Twista's flow seem slow motion, and when he was done, he went seamlessly into his next song. The crowd was up on their feet, and Phz-Sick's continued to kill his performance. As a warning for next time, because there will be many next times, do not be fooled by his unassuming demeanor.

The last artist who performed early on in the showcase, but stood out in a good way was Milly July. This rapper/singer had a "left field" performance that was fresh and well welcomed. When she first hit the stage, her energy was a bit uncontrolled, but became more harnessed as her performance continued. Her voice meandered in and out through the performance but remained consist ant enough for the audience to pay attention. Her production was solid, and it was good to see that she took risks with her sound weaving in and out of hip hop and rock. Her lyrics were soul bearing, and that allowed the audience to tap into her in a more intimate way. All in all, the potential seen in Milly July was undeniable, and with more attention paid to the usage of her voice and energy on stage, she could end up being a beast. To Gnarls Barkley, Janelle Monae, and Black Thought, Miss July is coming.

Given the diversity of its performers like the few mentioned above, good turn-out of audience members, constructive feedback given by panelists in the industry, and solid choice of venue, the DMV Jam Session is an event that folks should definitely check for. - The Glass House

PHZ-Sicks (pronounced Physics) is an 22-year-old rap phenom from Northern PHZ-Sicks is a 22 year hip hop artist hailing from Woodbridge, VA. Influenced by New York rap at the time (Nas, Jay-Z, Biggie, Canibus, DMX), Midwest (Bone Thugs, Do or Die, Twista), and Southern rap (Outkast & Goodie Mob), he developed his style. He started his rap career by battling various artists in the area and never listening.

In the fall of 2002, he dropped his first mixtape with his cousin Twin in their group Damacus Steel. The mixtape sold over 200 from school to school in the Prince William County. He did it again the following year with an upcoming DJ from Florida named DJ Hailo. The mixtape was called "PHZ-Sicks and DJ Hailo presents Signs Mixtape."

On Feb. 1st, 2004, he won Teens Count Teen Talent Show hosted by Rane of WPGC 95.5. He was one of the first rappers to ever win the competition. Throughout the years, he did numerous shows before he graduated and headed to Philadelphia to go to college at Drexel University. During this time, he perfected his performances doing open mics hosted by Larry Larr and around the Philadelphia area. Due to school, he took a break from rap in 2007.

It wouldn't be until late 2008, where he decided to drop the mixtape, "The Feature Presentation" for free online. For two months, he crafted a well put together mixtape of exclusives and songs featuring him with Top 40 songs and songs from the past, present, and future. The mixtape dropped on the internet December 8, 2008 and set the web on fire. Numerous music blogs posted the mixtape and has to this date has over 2,000 downloads. In the same week, his song "Don't Give Up" was played on Philly's Power 99. After this, the doors were opened.

Currently, PHZ-Sicks is working on his next mixtape, the conceptual "Less Than Zero." The mixtape will come out in late July. During the meantime, he has been guest blogging for music sites, in admist of being sponsored by a prominent clothing company in fashion, collaborating, and setting his future in the music business. Everything in life involves PHZ-Sicks, so what is the music world without it?

PHZ-SicksUrban Steez: Tell everybody your name and what area you represent?

Whaddup world and Urban Steez, I go by the name PHZ-Sicks (pronounced physics) and I represent the DMV (DC, Maryland, & VA). I’m from an area in Northern VA called Woodbridge.

Urban Steez: How did you come up with your music name?

PHZ-Sicks: The name came from when I was in middle school. I was going with a name that really wasn’t fitting me. During this inspired moment, I decided to let faith take its course. I opened my science book, went to the glossary, and whatever page I landed on and wherever my finger landed, I would go with it. I figured it would just be destiny and my finger landed on that. Physics, a lot of things in life are relate or referred to physics. What goes up, must come down and etc. All of that is physics, so I just figured, “What would music be without physics?” The spelling just came from being creative and doing something would reflect a tag done by a graffiti artist.

Urban Steez: Nice…. How long have you been doing music and what made you get into music?

PHZ-Sicks: I’ve been doing it for the last eight to nine years. It was a whole evolution of artist when it comes to me. I played with a little in elementary school, but when I was 13; my mom got a computer and AOL with the 28k. It took forever to load a page but I found forums and just battled. I was natural and never lost so by eighth grade; I took on challengers in Northern VA. I didn’t lose, so I decided to focus on music and drop mixtapes and give them out all over the area. The response was crazy and it gave me the fuel to keep going. I evolved from the battle artist to the storyteller to the club/ladies man to the complete artist. It was all done to be well rounded.

What made me get in to it? That’s a tricky question. Music has always been integral part in my life. I use to wake up to my Grandmother playing the classics from Al Green to ZZ Top. On the other hands, my uncles were playing hip hop and I was exposed to movies like House Party and Purple Rain. It always had a grip on me that is really hard to explain, but it lead my hand to grabbing a pen. I just had a knack for it that I’m really grateful for.

Urban Steez: That’s wassup, lol that AOL 28k was NO JOKE!! How would you describe your style and why?

PHZ-Sicks: Hmm, I would say I’m a gumbo of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony with a dash of Jay-Z, dash of Outkast, some Lu’(pe) and a dash of Eminem. The reason for Bone is that I started out doing double time. That was my original style, but I’ve slowed it down over the years. I only break it out if the ball calls for it. I’ve been compared to Jay so I threw him. Outkast, Lupe and Em, for the simple fact that they are not afraid to do a different subject matter or use extended metaphors to get their points across. I like doing - Urban Steez

Yes, today is the day everyone! Take out your coats, scarves and hats and bundle up! PHZ-Sicks is back with the highly talked about new mixtape “Less Than Zero”. This project is sponsored by HipHopUpdate.com & 9ine.4our.3hree Clothing. With the release of his last project “The Feature Presentation” in Dec 2008 with over 3200 downloads and still counting, the audience was ready to hear more from the lyrical rapper hailing from No.VA.

The story behind “Less Than Zero” is the following of “Kristofer Williams” as he goes through the ups and downs of life, envy, the music industry, and relationships. Each skit and song weaves through the story until he reaches his revelation and where he's going in life. When PHZ-Sicks is asked what his thought process was behind his new project he states "I wanted to do something different than just the regular mixtape. I wanted to put the listener in the story so they could relate to what's going on in the mixtape and vibe with me. I believe that music speaks volumes and with this, you'll just have to turn the volume up."

When listening to “Less Than Zero” you can hear the progression with the story and it’s a mixtape you can listen to from beginning to end because the story is informative, but at the same time very entertaining. One track that stands out on its own is “Make Em Envy” which features SRC/Universal Records recording artist Marky & “Mr. Powder 4 Da Babies” himself KingPen Slim. The track was recently featured on DjBooth.net and has since received rave reviews. Other features on “Less Than Zero” are Megan D, Lyriciss, Lady A, Young Scolla & Seanny Greggs. - 2dopeboyz.com

The 118th entry in our DJBooth.net Freestyle Series comes courtesy of PHZ-Sicks, the DMV native who earned reader acclaim for Make ‘Em Envy. On his brand new Parker Lewis freestyle, recorded in one continuous take, the currently-unsigned emcee flows over original boardwork by Jab the Future. PHZ-Sicks is currently busy promoting and shooting videos for his recently-released Less Than Zero street album, as well as working with artists like Young Scolla and Hassani Kwess on their forthcoming projects. In addition, PHZ has two mixtapes in the works, one of which will be titled Purple Sick and feature production sampled from classic cuts by Prince.
- DJBooth.net