INTERVIEW: Emerging Hip-Hop Artist Phoenix Walters Talks Creative Process & Inspiration For New LP ‘I cant go out sad”

Maryland-based hip-hop artist Phoenix Walters first began writing poetry and raps at the age of 12. With the dream of becoming a successful entertainer driving his career forward, Walters is now onto his sophomore album I cant go out sad. Influenced by the likes of 50 Cent, J. Cole, Pharrell, Drake, and Eminem, his music aims to bridge his personal experiences with approachable hip-hop.

I had the opportunity to talk with Phoenix about his music and his creative process.

Listen to his new album here, and read our conversation below.

---

An Interview with Phoenix Walters

Dami: What inspired you to start making music?

Phoenix Walters: Music has always been a part of life since I was a child. My parents and older siblings were always exposing me to different types of music and genres from hip-hop and R&B to reggae, soul, and jazz. I started writing poems when I was in middle school and then in high school, I started getting into writing and recording songs. It has always been my way to express myself.

Dami: Who are your biggest inspirations?

Phoenix Walters: I have a lot of influences from 50 Cent, Eminem, LL Cool J, Drake, J Cole, Wale, Chris Brown, Kendrick Lamar, Bow Wow, Mario, Kanye West, Saint JHN etc. Too many to name to be honest, but that’s what music is for: to bring people together and to inspire in my opinion.

Dami: Do you still write poetry?

Phoenix Walters: I do still write poetry, but at the end of the day I consider music a form of poetry so in a sense, I never stopped.

Dami: When making music, where do you grab inspiration from?

Phoenix Walters: I grab inspiration from reality. If it didn’t directly happen to me, it’s something I witnessed or had a role in shaping who I am in some way. I grab inspiration from my past, present, and future self.

Dami: How would you describe your sound?

Phoenix Walters: I would describe my sound on this upcoming project as a mixture of Roddy Ricch, Drake, Saint JHN, Juice WRLD, and Trippie Redd. These are also some of the musical influences that I have from the game today.

Dami: Speaking of project, you’re dropping on the 24th titled I can’t go out sad. What’s it about and what should we expect from it?

Phoenix Walters: It’s about the past few years of my life and battling with mental health issues, addiction, and the passing of people close to me. Life can be really hard sometimes and it’s okay to take the time to heal and embrace each moment of pain, struggle, and grief. But at the end of the day, you have to get up, dust yourself off, and keep it pushing. No matter what, “I can’t go out sad”.

Dami: How’s it like battling all these and still making music? Does it ever feel so overwhelming?

Phoenix Walters: It’s very hard at times, especially when you feel like nothing is going your way and your mind is playing tricks on you. Sometimes, it seems as if you’re getting everything you prayed/dreamed for, but then you have those moments where you question if it was all worth it and if the grass is truly greener on the other side. At the end of the day, these vulnerable moments often create some of the best music.

Dami: Would you say making music has helped battle these issues?

Phoenix Walters: For sure! Music is my getaway and my safe space. I’m not often the best at expressing my feelings through speaking in normal conversations. It’s something I’m working on but when an instrumental comes on that I resonate with, it seems like the words spill out so effortlessly.

Dami: What are 3 words you’ll use to describe this album?

Phoenix Walters: Raw, vulnerable, and free.

Dami: What do you want people to take away after listening to I can’t go out sad?

Phoenix Walters: I want them to see how versatile I am as an artist and to hopefully inspire some people to try and better themselves. It’s okay to seek therapy or help and grow. You don’t have to be ashamed of your truth and pain. Instead, you should embrace it head on. That’s the only way to get through it.

Dami: What’s your favorite off the album?

Phoenix Walters: That’s tough, but as of now I would say it’s between “Anything” and “Lifestyle of a g”, but I’m proud of the whole project for real.

Dami: What’s your creative process like?

Phoenix Walters: I usually like to build around the instrumental and come up with a concept. Then I tend to start with the chorus or hook. After I get that down, I build the verses around everything else but nothing is set in stone. If it feels right, I go with it. For this project I did, I worked closely with my boy Ayee M who executively produced this project. He was a major part of the overall sound on I can’t go out sad. Shout out to him!

Dami: I see you’re tapped in with the LYBB movement, as well as rare awareness brand. Can you tell us a bit more about it?

Phoenix Walters: Yeah man. Shoutout to Sey and A$AP Twelvyy. Rare awareness is a marketing agency that my cousin, Sey, and I are currently running together and I feel like we haven’t even scratched the surface of what we are fully capable of, just yet. As far as LYBB goes, Twelvyy and the whole LYBB family have shown nothing but love since day one. I feel like it’s super refreshing to see the level of humbleness and support that comes from the whole unit. It’s a contagious energy that you just naturally want to be a part of.

Dami: What you tryna achieve this year?

Phoenix Walters: Honestly, I just want to focus on consistently putting out music/content. I want to really focus on building my fan base and hopefully getting on the road for the first time. All in due time.