Meet RedEye Rock ‘n’ Vote 2015 finalist Phenom.
Real Name: Teh’Ray Hale
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Experience: 23 years as a rapper and spoken-word poet. At 38, PHENOM is still incredibly active.
Sound: “Music with a purpose, like putting your medicine in apple sauce. Necessary and conscious hip-hop,” he says.
Live show: Phenom describes it as very energetic, adding, “It’s the difference between hearing Derrick Rose play basketball on the radio versus being at the game.”
Influences: Gang Starr, N.W.A., Redman, A Tribe Called Quest, Nas and many, many more. Phenom also was inspired by Fast Eddie’s “Hip House” when he was 13.
Fun fact: He’s performed with Kanye West.
Big accomplishments: Heavily involved in inspiring positive change in youths, Phenom created a south side mentoring organization called L.Y.R.I.C., an acronym for Let Your Rhymes Inspire Creativity.
“Heist”
“That Dough”
Vote for Phenomhere.
jterry@redeyechicago.com, @joshhterry
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