Urban Vault caught up with Birmingham, UK based songstress PhePhe to ask her about her music, collaborations, and inspirations

Pheleba Akima Johnson, aka PhePhe, was born in Birmingham, the middle child of five in a talented musical and creative family. Her key musical influences including reggae, Afro-beat, Jazz and soul rhythms can be heard in her music. She is well-known in the Birmingham scene for infectious and heartfelt top lines on club tracks but a mesmerizing acoustic performer too. PhePhe recently released her hotly awaited third project, LOST IN MY AURA II, the EP comes from a place of personal growth and empowerment following the birth of her first child.

What is your name?

I’m PhePhe, my Real Name is Pheleba but my mum has called me princess PhePhe from as long as I can remember, I knock off the Princess part a while ago but PhePhe or just Phe has stuck.

Where are you from?

I’m from Birmingham, UK

How old are you?

I’ve just turned 28 a week or so ago, Pieces gang lol

How long have you been making music and how many songs albums have you released to date?

I come from a very musically talented family where everyone can play an instrument, sing, make beats or do something else creative. So I’ve been involved in music for a long time. I was 16 when I recorded my very first song. We used a handheld mic into a sort of MPC machine, so I had to do the whole song in one take, that was amazing for me, I thought I was going to become a star overnight because I had one song recorded. (wrongly mistaken) I was 19 when I had my first release as a feature on French Producer Von D’s track ‘show me’ which then went on to get a remixed by Skream. I’ve released three solo EP’s so far. In 2012 I put out an EP named ‘Me, Myself & Phe’ the EP received a great reaction and push from Rinse FM, and a few years later a track taken from the EP ‘On Da Low’ was brought back to life and given airplay on Radio 1xtra buy Sian Anderson. In 2014 I released My ‘Lost In My Aura’ EP. This EP marked real growth for me as an artist in many ways. It was the first EP of mine you can find on all online outlets, it was the first time I had done a video for a track as well as the video being released on major Youtube channels like P110 & SBTV & the biggest achievement from the EP was that track entitled ‘You Make My Heart Go’ was played on BBC Radio 1 by Phil Taget.

Can you tell us about your latest Project ‘Lost In My Aura 2’, the background, and inspirations behind it?

‘Lost In My Aura 2’ is basically a snapshot of whats been going on in my life over that last 2 years or so. It gives insight into my transition to motherhood along with some of the highs and lows of my romantic relationship and my inner thoughts about the situations I have been in. ‘Lost In My aura 2’ is basically my personal diary. I feel like writing the EP was therapy for me, it was so rewarding to get everything off my chest.

How have you ended up in the music industry?

Although I have always been around musicians in my family and frequently visited all different music festivals like Glastonbury and Womad as a child. I’ve always been inspired by the energy and active growth of the Grime scene in Birmingham. The emcee’s of Birmingham really inspired me with their resourcefulness and creativity, I just started to feel compelled to give it ago my self, I would say my style differently has influences from grime emcee’s.

What did you think of the music industry in 2017?

I think the ladies are finally coming through in force and that made me really happy. I was also really proud of my home city. The Brummie Boys have killed it last year and I hope this year we will have more of the same.

What have you got planned for 2018?

So I’ve just released my EP ‘LIMA2’ and I have a video and a few acoustic session in the pipeline yet to be released. I’m also in the process of planning my solo show, which I’m so excited about as I feel live performances are an area I really shine.

What inspires you when you make your music?

Life. What I’m going through at that time, the words I’m hearing or using at the time and the music I’m listening to. I don’t really have a big complex writing process, I just slow down, open my mind, open my heart then open my mouth and record what comes out.

Who have you collaborated with so far in your Career?

I’ve been really fortunate in my career to collaborate with some mega talent producers such as French Producer Von D, Mr Figz, TRC, Nutty P & Thomas Mellor as well as some amazing artists like Legendary Grime artist Scorcher and Grime stars Dapz On The Map and Jaykae.

Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?

I’d love to work with Disclosure, I just adore the way they have a classic RnB sound deeply routed into there garage/pop sound. Also working with other females is really close to my heart right now so I’d love to work with Simz or Raye or Rita Ora. My dream collaboration would be Sade as she’s my musical hero of all time.

What’s your favorite track at the moment?

My fave track right now is Ihene Akio – Sativa.

What do you do when your not making music?

Mommy life… I love spending time with my little boy, he’s two now, so he has loads of energy, we need to burn before bedtime. And at the moment my newest hobby/potential money maker is holistic massage. I love having massages, so thought it would be interesting to learn about it and its healing powers, I’m now an addict and watch youtube tutorials until all hours in the night.

Facebook or Twitter?

Twitter- Instagram – Facebook

In a few words sum up your thoughts about Urban Vault and what we’re trying to do?

I think its so positive and important that platforms like Urban Vault continue and are supported as they support and open so many new doors for artists like myself.

Thank you for your time and may you carry on making dope, fresh music…

PhePhe – Lost in My Aura II EP via iTunes/Spotify

https://twitter.com/phephemusic
https://soundcloud.com/phephemusic
https://instagram.com/phephemusic/