PHENOM Universal
Chicago, Illinois, United States | Established. Jan 01, 1999 | INDIE
Music
Press
This improvisational wordsmith released a new album, I Didn't Come I Was Sent, in 2015, proving that he's still as dexterous as he was in his early days as a cipher champ. An MC's MC, he continues to bring jazz technique to rap, and hearing him nimbly jump between vocal styles can make you feel like you're getting a free hip-hop history lesson with every concert ticket. - The Chicago Reader
Phenom has to be one of the best lyricists Chicago has ever produced. He has mastered the double time style and more important, he speaks with a purpose. His most recent project. I Didn’t Come I Was Sent, is a rapid fire sermon on urban life. Phenom is more than a rapper; he is a community activist and mentors youth in Chicago. I know the kids he mentors have to be impressed with this brother’s skill, because it is not of this world. - Rolling Out
Veteran Chicago Emcee/ national Spoken Word Poet releases his highly anticipated new album. PHENOM showcases his ability capture and communicate his version of Hip-Hop in thought provoking lyrics, infectious hooks, melodies and rhyme patterns. - TheSource.com
PHENOM aims to bring "an experience" to Voices from the Warehouse at 8 tonight.
What PHENOM doesn't do is water down his message. His goal is to bring love -- not Kumbaya love but the Big Brother, tough kind -- through his music. - TH MEDIA
Fortunately, me being a relative geezer didn't stop me from having a blast at T.I.P. Fest, which was three and a half hours of not exactly seamless, but eclectic and enthralling fun. It was emceed by RedEye Rock 'n' Vote finalist PHENOM (who, on top of reciting his own poetry, also led the crowd in multiple either/or games like "Beyonce or Rihanna?" and "Adidas or Nike?" to pass the time) along with DJ Oreo and Chante, who played music during the down times. While he curated the event, Chance the Rapper only appeared once before he later joined Donnie Trumpet to greet the crowd, with Mayor Emanuel looking on in the background. - Red Eye Chicago
After a long and grueling battle for the top four spots, the remaining Rock 'n' Vote finalists are ready for the final round. Folk rockers the Future Laureates, soul singer Krystal Metcalfe, rapper-poet Phenom and indie rockers Stereospeak all want your vote to get the coveted top spot and an evening slot at the Taste of Chicago. The competition is fierce, as each contestant is immensely talented. Now, the only thing to do is cast your ballot! - Red Eye Chicago
Discography
Solo Projects:
"I DIDN"T COME I WAS SENT" (2015)
"DatBoySaid" (mixtape) (2013)
"A Closed Mouf Don't Get Fed" (2012)
Notable Collaborations
Malik Yusef album "G.O.O.D Morning, G.O.O.D Night" on track #10 entitled G.E.M (Good Enuff Me)
"JMB" - PHENOM, Ron Trent & Yah
"Positive Pollution" - POETREE CHICAGO & Saint German
Photos
Bio
PHENOM, born Teh’Ray Hale, learned to rhyme at age 13 in the back streets of Chicago, Illinois. Unafraid to join in on the ciphers & emcee battling, he instantly loved connecting clairvoyant lyrics & hurling potent metaphors. Influences include Rakim, Nas, Common, Black Thought of the Legendary Roots, & Bob Marley. In the 2000 Source Magazine Unsigned Hype Battle PHENOM earned 2nd place to Detroit Hip-Hop legend & D-12 member “PROOF” out of 1000 nationwide contestants. PHENOM showcases his diverse style in his performance series "Free-Hop” which blends several genres of music such as Afrobeat, Deep House, Reggae, GoGo, Soul and Spoken Word, with Hip-Hop music to form a delectable display of raw talent and musical freedom. He has rocked stages with accomplished artists such as Roy Ayers, Mos Def, The Roots, Common, Erykah Badu, Dwele, Fertile Ground, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco and Talib Kweli. PHENOM released his highly anticipated new album “I Didn’t Come I Was Sent on October 29th, 2015.
PHENOM has dedicated his life to empowering the People through his music. In 1995, First Lady Michelle Obama chose him for the Public Allies program where he had the opportunity to work with and teach youth about violence prevention strategies.
As the Founder and CEO of the award-winning POETREE Chicago, PHENOM was influenced to start L.Y.R.I.C, (Let Your Rhymes Inspire Creativity) with co-founder and national poet K-Love in 2009. Today, the L.Y.R.I.C program serves Chicago-based high school students and offers them opportunity to write and perform poetry as a non-violent means to stopping the violence in their neighborhoods. As a main member of HIP-HOP DETOXX, PHENOM has also hosted major events such as Ritual Sundays, Neo Soul Explosion, and Lyricist Loft, and while doing so this incredible artist has mentored over 6500 plus youth throughout the US. His goal is to inspire change in the urban neighborhoods of Chi-town and abroad.
Band Members
Links
