Independent Artist Spotlight "Phil Blount"

“Mr. New Haven”, that’s what the people in his community call him and that’s also the title of his new album. Phil Blount is more than a rapper. He’s something like a mogul in the making. He has a huge catalog of not just rap songs but, RnB as well. He’s in the process of starting his own record label titled, “No Gimmick Music Coalition”. Phil has been featured in the 50 Mics tournament is ready to take the music industry by storm. He took some time out to tell me about the Hip Hop scene in his hometown, how he’s been on “the grind”, and what he brings to the rap game.

How long have you been rapping?

I’ve been rapping since I was 11. I’m 31. As far as performing, since I was 14. I’ve been doing it for a minute.

Where are you originally from?

I’m from New Haven, CT.

What’s the Hip Hop scene like in Connecticut?

It’s thriving but, it’s small. We have a decent Hip Hop scene but, it’s not going to pay any bills. Not in New Haven. It’s not the right temperature here. It’s not a big movement. These promoters have been pretty much raping New Haven for a minute. They come here and do their showcases. Now the independent showcases aren’t poppin’.

What do you think it will take to get things going there?

I don’t know. I can only speak for myself. New York is an hour away. You’d be surprised. As far as the South and West are concerned we are New York. You look over Connecticut and you see NY. It’s not even about Connecticut.

We have Chad Dawson. He’s the new heavyweight champion of the world. He has his new label. So I guess that’s a good thing for Connecticut. It might start looking up. Nobody is really bringing any real money in. So it’s an open door.


Can you tell me about your album, “Mr. New Haven”?

That’s what everybody calls me out here [Mr. New Haven]. I had the album done for a minute in terms of tracks being done. I’m just tired of releasing mixtapes. I get further on the net than I actually do in New Haven. It’s easy. I can always go out here and give out my music. The net really gives me that temperature that I can get scans worldwide.

The album is done. I have my features now. I have a Rah Digga feature. I’m in the works with Raekwon. I’m hollering at KRS One. I actually spoke to Red Café. So we’re working that out. I’m trying to get my features up.I always have music. I can put out 10 songs a day. I want to put it tomorrow but, I want to put it out the right way.

Are you currently signed to a label?

No. Everything I do is totally independent. If I could have it my way, my label would be “No Gimmick Music Coalition”. That’s my brainchild. I have my artists. I have artists that if I say let’s move they’re ready to move.

So are you already incorporated?

No. I’m actually getting everything situated now. Right now this is my time. I’m definitely on my grind right now. Everybody that I’m getting in contact with right now is genuine because I’m putting my own work in.



Do you have a team behind you?

No, it’s my own funds. Right now it’s just me. I’m pretty much my own force. Any contacts that I made, I made them myself. I do everything myself. Anybody that wants to join in, holla! I’m definitely putting in work. I’m shopping and trying to make my connections.

I’ve always been an independent thinker. So a lot of situations I can’t see myself in. Like if I was to get signed to G-Unit today I couldn’t run around with a whole bunch of G-Unit guys like I’ll die for these dudes. So that in itself hinders me from a lot of situations. That’s just not me. It never has been.

Besides rapping you write RnB songs. Can you tell me about that?

Yes. I write RnB. That’s a whole other avenue I’m trying to tap into. I’m so ready. I’m so built for this game.

You were featured in the 50 Mics tournament in Boston and Miami. Can you tell me about that?

Yes. They just did the one in Miami. They have one in Boston about to come up. I’m battling some other cat. I think its Boston vs. New York. I’m just happy to be working with them. Shout out to them. At first I didn’t want to be a part of the situation because I’m not a battle rapper. I make songs.


Who are some of your influences?

My influences are my mother and my father. My father was a writer. I like a lot of music. That’s probably why I can jump in so many lanes. I think I can do a song with almost any rapper. From Kanye to Jeezy. I can blend in on any level.


What would you say that you bring to the rap game?

I make good music. My music is timeless. I do it all. It’s not too many rappers that I can name that can do what I do. When I tell you my story there is no room for it to be questioned. I don’t make questionable music. A lot of these dudes make music and you question rather its true or not. That shouldn’t be.

You do everything yourself. You said you have a really huge catalog and you have artists that you’re ready to bring forth. Would you say that you’re a mogul in the making?

I’m definitely a mogul in the making. That’s probably what’s holding me back. I’m into too much as far as my career. There a lot of people that is so willing to let other people do things. It might be easier for them to get where they have to go. My business is definitely going to be tight. I know how I want to spend my money. If you ask Connecticut about me they’ll tell you. I don’t make questionable moves and I don’t make questionable music. Within the next 6 months a lot more people are going to hear about me.

Listen to Phil's new single, "Middle Finger (To Da Haterz)

5. Middle Finger {To Da Haterz}.mp3

You can learn more about Phil Blount at http://nogimmick.ning.com/profile/PhilBlount and www.Twitter.com/PhilBlount