Phenox Is President

‘When you make your focus your focus, the world will make you it’s focus.’

A timeless saying by one of the greatest influencers of our time, proven to be true by an immensely talented South African artist, Siyabonga Sakhile Ximba. A young artist born in the city of Durban, South Africa, within the confines of a township called Umlazi.

Siyabonga, generally known as Phenox to his fans and within the music Industry, officially began his music career in the year of 2011, writing and recording his own music. Though he embarked on a professional musical pursuit in this particular year, which happens to be his first year of high school, Phenox could not pinpoint when he first developed a love for the craft, as he recalls it as always being a part his life.

Later adding that, he simply penetrated the music scene by keeping his head down, and constantly working on improving his craft without paying mind to anything else. When he subsequently realized he had effortlessly made so much progress, that it would be absolutely nonsensical for him not to create something even greater out of his music.

“My skill just kept attracting the necessary resources and people, without me paying actual attention to all that.” Phenox

Later adding that, he simply penetrated the music scene by keeping his head down, and constantly working on improving his craft without paying mind to anything else. When he subsequently realized he had effortlessly made so much progress, that it would be absolutely nonsensical for him not to create something even greater out of his music.

As far as support goes, Phenox had plenty of it from the people it meant the most coming from, his parents. Something that is not common but vindicated for by Phenox, as he stated that the reason for their support was based on the fact that they were aware of the type of person he was, an exceptional student in school, who did not entertain smoking or alcoholism. Further adding that they knew he had direction, hence gave him a long leash to roam around freely.

So what was his first musical endeavor in his pursuit of stardom? Working on a song with a friend and a few others who had asked him to. An event Phenox described as ‘horrible’, as he was inexperienced but was eager to, therefore agreeing to the collaboration. At this time, Phenox had not yet established his stage name and expressed his confusion as to why he was keen on working on the song and collaborating with rappers he had no idea of. He further went on to express how displeased he was with the song, and how ‘horrible’ it was saying; the song was so bad that it was not released.

When asked what image he hopes to relay to the public, Phenox responded stating that; he longs to be a representation of realism and absolute honesty to what brings one personal satisfaction, without being in fear of how the next person might receive it. He went on to add to his cause by giving a glimpse of his lyrical aim, stating;

“My lyrics usually promote self awareness and self belief, which I believe are the prerequisites for achieving greatness.” Phenox

Lyrics he delivers in his musical genre, Hip-hop, a genre he adopted saying; it allows for a wider verbal expression. Relaying that a rap verse has more lyrical content than any other genre, knowing he has a lot to say and share with the world, rap is the perfect medium for him to express himself fully.

His creative process is one he describes as unstructured; being natural, spontaneous and random, saying he solely believes that boxing his musical process would impose limits on his creative abilities. But rather stands for striking a balance between making a statement and sounding amazing.
Outside his career as an artist, Phenox is a student in University, who works hard and believes in nothing but straight A grades, ones he attained in high school and even got recognition for them by appearing in several newspapers. As for his biggest accomplishments within the music Industry, Phenox believes they are yet to be made. His biggest aspiration however, is to be a Forbes List serial entrepreneur and one of the greatest influencers of his generation. Aspirations we all look forward to seeing.

“Sometimes I hear a beat that I love and I try to create a song that goes along with that energy for people to vibe to. Other times I want to share a certain philosophy through a rhyme.”

As the year comes to an end, Phenox shared some of his personal favorite projects saying, so far it has to be the album by Joyner Lucas, having several songs that he really enjoys, labeling his current favorite as a song called, ‘Forever’.

And as for his music, we are to expect a couple of singles, later beginning the year of 2018 with a tape called ‘R.E.A.L LP’, Raw Emotions and Lyricism. An album he describes to be the first of its kind.

“It is a well structured and multilayered masterpiece, if I must say so myself.”

One we all look forward to hearing.

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