Phoelix is one of the most talented individuals in the state if you ask me, which is why I was more than happy when I came across his brand new EP titled GSPL. This project started off on a positive note with the opening track “Red Beans & Rice”, it builded up slowly but surely before Phoelix hopped on the addicting beat & wreaked havoc, leaving me in awe. Each of the tracks provided impressed, but the one caught my attention the most was “Bones” featuring Dax, the chemistry they displayed on the track was great, as they complimented the upbeat production flawlessly. One thing that stuck out to me about this tape was that it didn’t seem like you were listening to someones mixtape, thanks to the quality of the music and the smooth transitions, this one felt more like you were watching a good movie when you truly listened to the stories he was telling. This was one of the best projects I have heard in 2017, be expecting to see it on our Top 50 list at the end of the year, but for now stream it below!
Along with the release, Phoelix left us with some words:
“My dad and I have a history of conflict and him just being trash to my mom,” Phoelix explains of the inspiration for GSPL. “But on my birthday last year, he called me and was like, ‘Hey, you wanna go to the Virgin Islands in July?’ And the date we went was the July 17, 2016. So when we got down there, I realized that he wasn’t trying to just spend time with me and potentially reconcile our relationship. We ended up a part of this church missions trip. So naturally I was infuriated and with no other outlet I made ‘Red Beans & Rice’ in the Virgin Islands. That day was the start of this project and to drop it on this date just makes it a complete year of my life that I can release.”