Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist? Â
Phoenix Haim: I grew up on the West Side of Johannesburg,born and raised there. It was a hella vibe’d up neighborhood… I’m that Lioness in the Jungle. (Nah like really,next to my house,sumn like a jungle {lol}). When I was still growing up,we lived comfortably at home however we had challenges,it got realer than a motherf***r. Yea’… I’ve always has a love for writing,when I was 12,I joined the church choir which I left shortly after. Poetry became my venting zone,started battles then and well… The rest aint Willy Wonka but is hella barz.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Phoenix Haim: Phoenix,the bird that lives on,burns in its own fire and comes out renewed. New wings spread out… And Haim means life,so basically sayin when a chickka falls,she gone rise brighter and better than ever. She has an alter ego,I call him Erej Miah. Miah is Haim spelled backwards. Erej backwards is Jere,so altogether it forms Jeremiah. Jeremiah is a crazy,psychotic,mentally disturbed boy. He is furious,he says the things I can’t say… They had to put him in a straitjacket,locked away in a dungeon,in purgatory. He will be here in no time and when he is,you’ll know it. That is my crazy!!!
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Phoenix Haim: Yeah,all the time. I share some of my music online and for free. You’ll get a bigger platform,connect with more people. Get to communicating with your listeners and hear what they think. Constructive criticism gives room to learn,understand and be able to comprehend your music as a listener,not just a composer. Did your message come across as you had laid it out? Giving away free music gives me that. Values that can’t be bought.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Phoenix Haim: Yeah. I always say this,and this will apply a whole lot better to artists… Life is a show,music is your challenges and situations,and you are the artist. You have the world as your crowd,never drown in your own crowd. Let your voice be heard. Rejections will always be there but stay true to your art. Whichever gig you get,take it. Even if you don’t get a penny out of it,take it and own that platform. Submit to online radio broadcasts,get in contact with managers etc. Move weight. Cause child! Lemme tell you something,before I got heard,I became a problem to every contact I could find. Momma done said “He gave you brains,he gave you talent”… Look at the Lord! Won’t he do it!? Every spot you know,make em listen,make em book you! Never take no for an answer to your success. Tell yourself that I’m gone fvckn do this! Then do it. Humble yourself too,cause sometimes our pride gets in the way.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Phoenix Haim: So far I haven’t made any mistakes while performing,but if I would have that happen,get back up and do it,the show goes on!
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?Â
Phoenix Haim: Yes I do… Well,pranks!… We pull the craziest pranks on each other. It is so much fun to get to know who you’re working with on those levels. Not just being out there JUST working,we have fun too,having weird competitions like how many marshmallows one can fit in they mouth,twerkin like yo’ ass can’t quit,all that! We act stupid as a motherfvcker!! And I always let my fans join in on em games we playin’… So whenever a tour or show is announced,join in the fun! I’m there on twitter,renewed account… Oh… And I’m a foodie too,so eating different foods is pretty dope
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process? Â
Phoenix Haim: When I’m feeling something,I’m gonna write about it and say it. Got a joint coming through titled Pretty me,I talk about how I don’t always wake up and feel beautiful,society is placing labels on looks,at some point in time we all have doubt or insecurity. When you looking in the mirror and you’re blinder than your reflection lookin back at you,you see “I wish I looked that way” but your reflection sees “Beauty” it looks into your soul. This is that track that says “I aint you,I’m me,this is my type of beautiful and I’m gonna embrace it.” Other than that Erej Miah get on the microphone and the motive is to kill. Leave the microphone depressed. My first lines on Boss Ass Bitches is “I got carnivore canines,AK47s,glock 17s I’m a reptilian” so I just tear apart and just go bbbbbrrrrrrrrrr or ddddddrrrrrrr (lol #SomethinLikeThat… however guns go)!
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Phoenix Haim: Radio stations and multiple sites,like VenRap/LimpRap,you can get my work for free on DataFileHost too,my own website will be coming pretty soon. Gone be uploaded on www.subzeroproductions.co.za pretty soon
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Phoenix Haim: (Laughs) Oh good Lord! I have Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds by The Beatles… And uhm… I have a track called Space Angelz by Bratz dolls… (Laughs) I’ve always kinda pictured myself as a Bratz doll,felt like they need,you know,the Phoenix there.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?Â
Phoenix Haim: First,I would buy my mother a house. Then make investments,and aint no break for me,orrrrr if I’d be allowed,I’d like to give fans surprise visits!! How about that!? Or visit upcoming artists,get inspired,learn!? Huh? That would be so dope. Other than that,everywhere I’m at I’m composing. So I’d still be steady on the art of grind,and start a Haiming Bird Foundation where I can give back to the community. A shelter for abused women and children.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now? Â
Phoenix Haim: Right now,I am working with one of the most talented producers,I got Rico,DevAndre and Lace. We do plan on having a studio upgrade,which I’m assuming will be pretty soon.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Phoenix Haim: The internet is an artist’s best friend I tell you! Live Online streams,F.M radio spins. I just submit (laughs) yeahhhh Haim gone be a freaking headache,I make em listen cause I know I’m worth it.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Phoenix Haim: Superbowl with 2pac!!! What’s there not to like about that? His stamp on the test of time don’t fade. I got mad respect for him. He paved the way for rap. Rap wouldn’t be what it is if the Pac Era didn’t exist. Pac and Haim at the Superbowl! Yo! #LitAsAMothaAyyy
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Phoenix Haim: Right now,I am working on my EP,which was initially titled XVLCID,but its gonna be titled Justice of A Burned Rose. JABR in short… Its really one of the most exciting forms of work I’ve ever laid my hands on! Its total slayage… You gonna get it from #HeMaryJaneNIOneHellOfA3some to #SpittinLikeICan’tSwallowShxt.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing? Â
Phoenix Haim: Law,I’d be a lawyer… So probably I’d be that right now. But knowin myself the way that I do I’d pull up in that motherfvckrr with a microphone and a DevAndre beat. Yeah! In court. Tell the magistrate to plug it in! Spit barz in that joint boi. Cop a blunt for the judge cause he probably gone get heated,so I hook him up yeah? Let him fly with em birds,til I hit em with my slingshot #BigSmile (Laughs)#Cracka. Yeah,I’d be a lawyer.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head? Â
Phoenix Haim: Yes! Remember it like it was yesterday. Beyonce – BDay!! I played it everyday. I still have it now. I remember that day was hot AF too! I’d hold my own performances in the living room singing every track on that album,with ma pops’ deodorant,it kinda looked like a microphone. I remember I had this short little tutu,snatch my momma’s wig off the head stand (Ayy yo,I aint known that you don’t play with a black woman’s hair then… I done learned that the hard way!,anyways),put on that red lipstick. My momma wouldn’t buy me heels,so I’d use flats. 🙁 … I’d get on the TV stands and jump off (got the weave stuck on the chandelier one time tryna whip it like Bey),dance my ass off! Do that Upgrade You dance! Honey! Nobody could tell me nothing! I knew that someday I will be doing it myself. Pretty soon it will be my time,and I will be ready for it.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life? Â
Phoenix Haim: Its all about time management and prioritizing,set realistic goals,understand the concept of compromise and have drive that aint got no reverse. Have an equilibrium between the two and try your best to maintain it
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016? Â
Phoenix Haim: Every single year imma do it like its my last! History in the making! Expect nothing but just pure KWWWAAZZZY!… Mental! Cause normal gets borin!
Naaaw Phoen been cookin up some bomb ass product! Yall come through get you that #SpoonFullOfAss from ya #ThizznikMomma!! Then come lemme #Drizzle that with sauces. Naaaahhhh naaaahhh say you a Haiming Bird,you aint the one they gone try crossin! #Slayage
Love you my Haiming Birds!
