Representing the west side of Chicago, Philmore Greene first hit the scene in 2012 with his debut mixtape, ‘The Seal of Approval’. With his brash delivery, witty punchlines, and storytelling that can be compared to the greats, Greene’s skills had earned him spot on stage with the greats like Raekwon, Jadakiss, and Havoc. Now with his debut, ‘Chicago: A Third World City’, Greene is ready to share with the world his views of social and political issues that is plaguing his city. I recently chatted with Philmore Greene about his upbringing, debut album, and why hip-hop is the way it is.
What made you decide to pursue rapping?
I fell in love with rap at an early age. I would have to say that I decided to pursue rapping when I graduated high school. Those high school years were key moments for me. During those years I honed my skills with the help of my big bro Shay D.I., did more studying of the culture, and just focused on getting better. It was age 16 when Shay used to pick me up daily just to go back to the crib to study song structure and how to count bars. Everything was so fresh to me,man. I had very little resources, so I started traveling the city more just looking for events that contained any element of hip hop. I then after started doing open mic events night in and night out. I got that rush just one time and the rest was HISTORY! For lack of better comparison, getting on that stage interacting with the crowd for the first time was like a taking the strongest drug. I got hooked. I’m still hooked. Hooked like a fish! (Laughs)
I’m from Chicago but I know our experiences were different. So, tell us a little about your experiences growing up in Chicago.
Growing up where I’m from was filled with mixed emotions. I grew up on the west side of Chicago. West Garfield Park to be exact. A small pocket called K-Town. Beautiful household, man. My grandpa Love died when I was seven so it was me, my grandma Love, my cousins, and my four aunts in the house. My moms was the first to move out on her own, she moved to the northside of Chicago. My grandma Love didn’t want me leave the westside so she insisted I lived with her. My momma would come get me on weekends. My grandmother kept that house up WELL. Hands down the cleanest house on the block. Every morning she would wake up, rearrange her furniture, get some coffee going, and play old school dusties. Most Saturday’s we would wake up to the smell of pancakes, or my Grandma Mills would come pick me up with cousins from my Pops side and we’d all go to IHop. That was the beauty of it. My Moms and Pops were raised in the same neighborhood, so both sides were close to me. But as far as the actual house I grew up in, it was beautiful INSIDE THE HOUSE, but that moment you set foot outside though! Crazy! Put it like this, my body, the physical was that of a kid, but my eyes and my mind were forced to be mature. It became a common thing for me to see craziness. There was no fear. We became immune to gunshots, prostitutes, victims of drug abuse, pimps, and the gang culture I grew up around is another story. From Vice Lords, 4 Corner Hustlers, New Breeds, to GD’s, I’ve seen it all. It’s things I won’t expound on but just know that I grew up in good household, but outside I saw some things. Crazy as it sounds it was a great place to grow up. I wouldn’t change my upbringing for nothing in the world. I am who I am because of my experiences in Chicago.
‘Chicago: A Third World City’ is a very interesting title, especially in today’s political climate. What was the whole process behind such a strong title?
The title came about by just a simple glance at the newspaper one morning. The cover of the Chicago Sun Times had the murder rate numbers of Chicago, Afghanistan, and Iraq next to one another, smack dab on the front page. We had them beat by a landslide. Though it’s nothing to brag about, they had already gave us the “Chiraq” tag. As much as I dislike using that term, I then thought to myself what if we replaced the suicide bombings with the drug epidemic? Kids killing each other, and themselves by putting things in their young bodies they shouldn’t even be consuming at such young ages. We can damn near keep the government and judicial systems the same. Both are corrupt and out of order. I can go on and on… But that’s basically how I came up with the title. Once I came up CATWC as a title the other name I had instantly got put on ice. Chicago: A Third World City was necessary.
You end CATWC with ‘Story of Greed’, which to me is the perfect way to end this album. From production on down to lyricism, it just seems beautiful. What was the concept behind this track?
Well, ‘Story of Greed’ is the track that makes the whole album make sense. CATWC is a concept album in which the skits and elements of the songs tie into ‘Story of Greed’. You can’t skip a record on this album. A couple of my friends called me about two weeks after the album was released in awe about how it was like a movie but in audio version. You really have to pay attention to the names I dropped in the second verse of ‘Story of Greed’ to understand that record. Rashid Hadee came with that HEAT, too! Like always. That piano chop made it very sentimental. First the piano chops came in every 16 bars, but I insisted he changed it to every 8 bars because they added feeling to the record. That sympathetic feeling as if something very serious was about to happen. I knew that song had to go last once it was done. Perfect way to end a movie, right?!
What are you plans for CATWC?
We plan to get this album heard by as many ears as possible. Touring the album will give it another set of wings, of course. Our plan was to approach this album like it’s 1995 all over again. Everything from the time we took to make it, to the roll out, to how we promoted it. Vinyl is a must for this album, too. The artwork down to the music deserves the works! Maybe even an actual movie. We’ll see.
As a rapper, what makes you stand out from the rest? Why should the public care?
Just for you to have to ask that question means the state of hip hop is in dire need of some realness and authenticity. I simply stand out from the rest because I touch every end of the table. Meaning you can’t put me in a box. I can hold my own with the most street rapper that is out right now, and I can get busy with the most underground, lyrical, backpack, or pop rapper that’s out right now as well. I wouldn’t consider myself as a one-dimensional artist. I’m like a chameleon when it comes to music. Put me in any atmosphere and I will adjust to it in a greater way than most. And I’m confidently speaking. I’m just very passionate about what I do. Why should the public care? To be honest, the public has every right NOT to care. But I’m coming from a different place with mine though. So, my music is definitely something that will spark a good conversation. All music is opinionated, so I appreciate all those that support.
Being in this industry can be tough, what’s one lesson you’ve learned so far?
This question is so important I’ll give you TWO things I’ve learned. Short and sweet. (Laughs)
- Seek ownership of everything with your name attached to it.
- Pay for EVERYTHING. Don’t accept anything for free if the relationship isn’t there. Doesn’t matter if it’s a quarter, PAY IT.
Any concepts or ideas for future projects?
You already know it! I have my next two albums, and two EP’s mapped out already. Me and Rashid Hadee can drop another album next week if we wanted to. But we got my bro Neak up to bat next with KWESBAAR. Sincere is dropping this year, F.A.B.L.E. is dropping this year, Rashid Hadee solo project is coming, Thaione Davis and Culture Power 45 keep new releases on deck, Yarbrough working on new material, we got an NRFS (Neak, Rashid, FABLE, Sincere) album coming, too! It’s lots of music coming out. CATWC was just first in line. I can’t express any ideas yet because people like to steal (Laughs). Yo! I’ll be all over that “DJ Scrap Dirty Presents the Dream Team” album, too. Shouts to the Big Homie Scrap!
What’s your dream collaboration?
I have a lot, I’m getting closer to making them happen too! Here’s a few. Raekwon, Hov, Nas, Scarface, Evidence of Dilated Peoples, with a beat from Alchemist, DJ Premier and Large Professor. I can go on and on! Yo, this was dope! Thanks for having me. Love!
-Pooh Bailey