Phil Donney's Page
Profile Information
- Name
- LA Phil
- Something to say...
- The music game, as harsh as it is, is ridiculously easy to read. We all saw the autotune craze coming and going, white people have already taken rap as an acceptable outlet and it’s only a matter of time before white rap completely dominates the mainstream. The American and world public are growing tired of purely domestic timbres so the next generation of artists must incorporate world music to whatever they make, and due to a complete lack of attention span that is somehow getting smaller, mash-ups are our present and future.
Not only do I see where music is going, I can see my place in it. I make mash-ups. My rap style falls somewhere between Linkin Park, K’naan, Eminem, Matisyahu, & The Lonely Island. My lyrics derive from a combination of my urban up bringing, rock influence, many styles of comedy (but mostly Jewish), academia, people in my life, my world travels, and my childhood trauma. My music has always been focused on combining the catchiest qualities of as big a variety of sounds and genres that will still sound chill, but I also beatbox, adding to my musical variety and collaborative potential. I have collaborated with guys and girls of many creeds, colors, and nationalities, because a demonstration of acceptance says exponentially more than just talking about it, and because learning from them has made my sound what it is today, and what it will be tomorrow.
However, my versatility really comes through in my song topics. I write about what’s on my mind. Whether it’s about partying, globalization, girls, or about music itself, my songs have a place anywhere from bar mitzvahs to strip clubs. I recently made a song, “Gotta Philin,” where I mash-up pop rap group Black Eyed Peas with Scottish rock band Snow Patrol, and beatbox and rap over it about the state of music and global socioeconomics with an animated rapping style, but I also have a hardcore hip hop song about not remembering where I parked my car in a structure, “Where I Park?” I am currently working on a mash-up of K’naan and Matisyahu and plan to beat box and rap and sing over it about my Jewish upbringing and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
On top of composition, I have 2 years of music performance experience, and 5 years of dramatic experience. I have been a long-time regular at three open-mics, including one in Ghana where I received $550 for my work with local musicians. I always incorporate comedy and my audience into my show. I am at ease in front of a large crowd because as an audience member I know I prefer when artists are themselves onstage, demonstrating how cool they, and opposed to directly demanding attention, and my instinct is to have them on my side right away.
However, as well as sheer fun entertainment, as a musician I take the responsibility of being heard very seriously. Though some of my songs include profane content about sex, drugs, and stupid behavior, I always balance that out with socially conscious lyrics that contribute to a better understanding of our reality, evoking thoughtfulness as well as optimism. The death of my mother at the hand of my father and the death of her sister at the hand of cancer after taking me in, have affected my perception of this world profusely. But because of music, and because of an international community, I really love my life, and desire to share it with the world.
- Zip Codes
- 90048
Phil Donney's Blog
New K'naan/Matisyahu Supermix!
Posted on December 23, 2009 at 6:48am 0 Comments 0 Likes
Hey K'naan fans! Check out the new Supermix featuring your messenger K'naan's "WAVIN' FLAG," his tourmate and comrade in the new international musical movement Matisyahu's "ONE DAY," and additional beat box and lyrics by LA Phil! Anyone who appreciates K'naan, the growing art of mash-ups, or learning something about their world must have this Supermix available for free download!… Continue
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