David Torkuma Joshua from
Benue State, Nigeria, was born in
Sokoto, and raised
in Kaduna where he still resides till today. Since his days in the revolutionary Afrohiphop group "
KD World",
Pherowshuz has been spitting
fire.
He's a veteran in the Nigerian music scene and has been an inspiration to many 'a rapper
Pherowshuz runs a production outfit, Ill-Touch Productions up in Abuja, alongside his Co-producer
Tommy Illfingers aka
shields (
@tommyilltouch).
Pherowshuz is a Rapper/ Producer/ Hustler/ Gangster/ Killer or
Murderer... Lol! jus kiddin.
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
First off I'd like to say that it's an honor to speak with who I consider to be one of the most vivid lyricist in hip hop. Help me clear this up...is there a difference between … Pherowshuz Tha Phero and David Torkuma?
@Iampherow: I honestly appreciate the compliment plus, its my pleasure. The only difference would be, in reality David is a more laid back type of guy, and pherowshuz is the alter ego/Beast you hear on records.
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
From The Return of Phero the Great [the Album], to Blood , Sweat, Tears And Years [The Mixtape], your flows have always maintained a distinct style of rhyme and subject matter that fans continue to appreciate. How/why did you develop your uniquely vivid style of rhyming?
@Iampherow: Its crazy cos its not like I knew I was inventing a style of rhyming though, I jus intentionally tried my best not to sound like anyone I had heard, foreign or local, jus wanted "to do me". Originality is priceless in the long run.
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
Part of the objective of this interview is to advocate that aspiring MC's strive to continuously gain knowledge. Are there any favorite books, magazines, movies, etc. that you would recommend to aspiring MC's?
@Iampherow: I believe strongly in the saying, "you are what you know" so yeah I like to know a lot about stuff, I am not really into reading as much as I'm into watching and listening. I'm very observant, and a good listener. Like they say in hiphop, "I keep my ear to the
streets...."
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
At what age did you begin to take emceeing seriously
@Iampherow: I decided to go professional around 2004 or so. It was still a hobby for a long time after that, till 2010 when I decided to focus on music as show business.
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
Did you hold any jobs before becoming a full-time MC?
@Iampherow: Music is all I've ever done.... Never worked a day in my life. So NO, I've never had a job.
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
Alright, well if you weren't rapping in what field would
you likely be working?
@Iampherow: Always wanted to be a banker growing up, before I fell in love with basketball... If it wasn't for music, I'd definitely be playing basketball in Europe or Asia, that's if the NBA became an unrealistic dream.
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
Words on the street has it that Pherowshuz has refused to go commercial, Do you consider yourself an underground rapper?
@Iampherow: I laugh when I hear that, cause once people see u a certain way they never want to let go..... I have done a lot of commercial songs, like my most popular record off da last album was Correct... Which was a playful commercial rap song. To answer your question though, No I have not refused to go commercial.... Will do a lot more commercial tracks in the near future.
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
What do you think the biggest difference is between Afro-rappers trying to make it in the game 10 years ago and a rapper trying to make it in the game today?
@Iampherow: Back in the days an artist didn't need collabos to make a hit record, now you kinda do, music wasn't seen as a profession then, talkless of rap, now anyone has a chance, all it takes is money to promote and auto tune. *Laughs*
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
What do you credit for your longevity (10+ years in the game)?
@Iampherow: Patience, The ability to see beyond mishaps and obstacles and stay focused on the goal(success). Most importantly, GOD for the undeniable talent and recognition that has kept me going.
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
You gave fans a gift on the 4th of june, and I’m talking bout Blood, Sweat, Tears And Years [The Mixtape], should fans expect something else from Pherowshuz before the end of the year 2013?
@Iampherow: Yep! Will be dropping my 3rd album, later in the year (yet to be titled).
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
I leave Track #9, Murder, on repeat, bumping loud on my speakers errwhere I go, like it’s my best joint on the mixtape, I know you put too work on every joint but atleast you should have a favourite on it, yes?
@Iampherow: when I started recording the mixtape, it seemed to be "
Grown man" cause it talked about how I gradually changed over time, but the more I recorded the harder it got to pick a favorite. Shout out to
Terry Tha Rapman (@tharapman) who basically kept me on the right track.
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
As far as Afrohiphop, though, what do you think about the state of Afrohiphop in Nigeria and worldwide moving into 2013?
@Iampherow: Its doin good, it has grown, hiphop went from rejected to accepted and now celebrated, rappers are now as recognized as artists in pop and other more popular genres. I'm glad I was part of that growing process.
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
Track #7, N**gaz Fear featuring Yung6ix on the BSTY sounded like a diss track on Cyrus Tha virus, though your lines on the joint wasn’t directed to anyone except for Yung6ix’s…. You know this prompted a direct reply joint from Cyrus, dissing you and Yung6ix with so much hate, on his Black Flag (Never Scared) joint.. Any comment on this?
@Iampherow: *Laughs really hard* Well I guess
Cyrus did what he felt he had to do. *Laughs again*
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
So many aspiring MC's these days have a very materialistic definition of success. What's your definition of success?
@Iampherow: Succes is kinda relative "one mans meat......" But anyways, being able to affect peoples lives positively and still make a living doing it, best of both worlds. That's success to me.
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
Who do you listen to outside of rap music? (rock, pop, electro, or otherwise)
@Iampherow: I listen to a lot of
Brandy, Beyonce, Kelly rowland, Chris brown, RnB in particular, I listen to pop as well, matter of fact, since I became a producer, I've grown and learnt to appreciate sound, so I listen to a lot of stuff, all kinds.
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
What would be the most rewarding thing you could hope to achieve in your career and any particular reason why?
@Iampherow: To be recognized as one of the best MC's on the african continent and business wise be a combination of the bruce family and maybe jay Z.... *Laughs*
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
So where can fans learn more about Pherowshuz?
@Iampherow: No site in particular though, just a lot of random stuff online showing my life and work in the last 4+ years.
*thank u google* *Laughs*
@iQuoteNaijaRap:
Any final words you'd like to say to the growing population of aspiring emcees around the world?
@Iampherow: Be Original, put God 1st and he will lead u right, entertainment in naija isn't dat easy, so u need patience and hard work.