By Jairo Rodrigues
“Welcome to Guyana”, is a new Hip Hop single by US-based Guyanese songwriter and artiste ‘Phed X’, who was born Churaman Sukhram.
He describes his song as the most accomplished piece created so far. “The reason is because I wanted to do something for the people. A lot of artists come into this business singing about sex, drugs, money. I wanted to introduce Guyana in a new way,” he told The Scene in an online interview.
Phed X said he had bought an instrumental CD and he found one of the beats catchy. He was having a discussion with his wife about the upcoming album debut when he had the idea of singing a song for “my people” and the first line he came up with was “Welcome to Guyana.” He said he wrote the entire track in less than 24 hours. The production team was in the studio the next day, building the instrumental courtesy.
Phed X said he grew up in New York in a very family oriented household. The artiste, who is also a manager for a private loss prevention firm, said he is the youngest of 4 brothers. He said he was the only person in his family who was interested in music.
His interest in music bloomed as a teenager, around the age of 14. He started DJ-ing at family parties, and then moved on to clubs as he got older and more experienced. By the time he was 19, he had written his first song. His friends in High School were very supportive. They were the ones motivating him to continue; they encouraged him to continue singing.
Super Cat, Eddy Grant, Beres Hammond and Gregory Isaacs are Phed X’s most inspirational and influential artistes.
He describes singing Hip Hop and Rap to be a lot of work. “Most people don’t realize the effort it takes to make a beat. Being in the studio can be boring at times. You just have to have a positive outlook and focus,” he added.
One of his songs hit number one in Pennsylvania.
He has worked with Dancehall artist/producer Ed Robinson who has worked with Snoop Dogg, Elephant Man and Bounty Killa among other artistes. Phed X noted, “He told me that I’m the most improved artist since I started working with him seven years ago.”
When asked how he plans on improving his sound and getting his music across to people he said, “We definitely take advantage of the internet. I reach out to people via Facebook, YouTube. We do a lot of footwork too. We put posters up all over the states.”
The Scene gained knowledge that Sony Music is interested in offering Phed X a recording contract. When asked how it felt to receive that offer and what we can expect from him, he replied, “I’m taking this opportunity to put my musical knowledge into work and deliver a record with great confidence that my fans will love.”
He currently resides in Jamaica, Queens, New York. When asked about his future plans he noted, “I’m trying to set a foundation for the youths. I’m currently working on my very first album. We’re putting together a release party and album tour.”
Phed X also has his own record label – Monster Track Recordz and is currently recruiting talented new artists.
Phed is married to his beautiful wife, Sandera, who, he says, “plays a major part in my career helping promotionally. She does my publishing.” He has no children as yet.
Owing to the fact that the stage life is part of his uprising career, he and his wife like to use their free time in the park, fishing and doing recreational things. He said that they actually just came back from spending some time in the Poconos Mountains in Pennsylvania.
Phed X believes that you have to have passion for what you do and you can never give up. He continued, “I was once told by Dancehall artist Jr Reid to never give up on something you love doing, because if you do, you will never achieve your dreams.”
He added that the American music industry is very commercialised. “I’m an artist in the industry, not an industry artist. I want everyone who has ambition in what they do to make it.” He vows to forever support upcoming artists. “We all start the same place; with a dream and a pen. I will definitely keep representing my homeland,” he concluded.
Phed X would like for people to show their support and download his tracks from iTunes and Amazon.com. He also wants his fans to know that his debut album is still in the making.
