I first met Phil very randomly – through a mutual friend, all playing some music together at a retirement home during a volunteering event back in college. His musical talent was able to turn the rest of our mediocre performances into something really special.
And now, all these years later, he comes out with his debut mixtape…and it’s pretty hot. We’ve been talking a bit more frequently since last year when he was really heads down getting this together, and I’m excited to finally be able to share his finished product here with everyone.
First, a short bio:
Well, my name is Phil Augusta Jackson. I’ve been living in New York City since 2006, and I’m originally from a small town just north of Philadelphia. Musically, I’d say that I’m a child of pop and hip-hop. I write songs about my life…the things I see and experience.
I have an ear for melody – I think that’s partly because I’ve been playing the piano and saxophone for several years. My overall sound weaves in and out of hip-hop, house, and even rock based sounds and themes. Sometimes I rap, sometimes I sing, and sometimes I pepper tracks with spoken word – whatever feels best. And I write and produce all of my own music.
I’ve been experimenting with sounds since middle school, and in high school I created a record label called Oluponya Records – basically selling tapes and then cds out of my locker and backback.
I then went to the University of Virginia where I launched Oluponya on university grounds – had the opportunity to write and produce for a lot of great talent. I’ve since graduated, but the label still exists down there.
Sometimes I listen to Michael McDonald’s “What a Fool Believes” while I’m walking through the streets of New York and also on the subway. You should try it – it feels like you’re living in the midst of a film – a romantic comedy of sorts.
It was after my time at UVa that I was formally introduced to Jim’s awesomely eclectic music blog. As a fellow UVa graduate, we were fortunately reconnected through a mutual friend who accurately forecasted that our passions for music were aligned.
Now onto the mixtape:
Phil Augusta Jackson - The Workman
The Workman is hosted by DJ Benzi, and the sound of the project is pop and hip-hop – often vocally driven, with a lot of influences like rock, house, and spoken word evident in the arrangements. I also produce all of my own work. It’s a look into my life, thoughts, and experiences over the past several years. It’s good music that is an honest reflection of the things I’ve experienced while pursuing goals and finding purpose. The result is a project that I think many can relate to.
I have listened to this album several times since I first downloaded it yesterday, and it’s pretty awesome. It’s definitely mostly rap (which is not usually my forte), but it’s very pop-influenced, very approachable and enjoyable, and is spot-on with the current trends in music.
Out of 13 songs on the mixtape (can we just call it a debut album yet?), I pretty much love half of them, but I certainly wouldn’t push next track on the others. I think you’ll all really like this.
I love the beat that comes in around 1:45:
Phil Augusta Jackson – “Put In Work”
You all know by now that I’m a sucker for upbeat, house-y songs like this:
Phil Augusta Jackson – “Stratosphere”
This is just so catchy, and it features J. Ivy, from Kanye West’s song “Never Let Me Down”:
Phil Augusta Jackson – “Glory Fall (ft. J. Ivy)”
I have literally had the chorus of this song stuck in my head all day long, and I can relate (all too well!) to the many awesomely old-school references:
Phil Augusta Jackson – “Hotwheels”
If you liked those samples, then head over to
http://TheWorkmanMixtape.com
to download the whole album for free (and stream more of the album!)
You can read more about and follow Phil at:
http://PhilAugustaJ.com
http://Facebook.com/PhilAugustaJackson
http://twitter.com/PhilAugustaJ
And follow Phil’s sponsors at:
Harboring Hearts @ http://HarboringHearts.com
The Fojo @http://Twitter.com/TheFojo
DJ Benzi @ http://DJBenzi.com
To anyone who’s ever lost.
To anyone who’s ever been doubted.
To anyone trying to be better than they were the day before.
To anyone working to navigate her or his own course.
This is your story too.
– The Workman, Phil Augusta Jackson
Posted by Weird Jim 