Phillip Lawrence
Phillip Lawrence (PhilthLike) is a rapper from Sunderland. Phil first became involved in the North East music scene around 2015. Since first performing Phil has built up a loyal and passionate following in the North East.
I first got involved in the current hip hop scene in the North East about 4 or 5 years ago. I’ve written and recited poetry since I was a little boy and was first exposed to rapping in a North East cadence back in 1999, 2000’s, at some local shows put on by some mates; it was like a light going off in my head. I never shared me shit back then.
Life moved on until a few years ago when I was introduced to some of the new North East members by one of the older heads and one of my longest standing friends One10%. In meeting them I started to get invited to jams and events and I’d jump up on the open mic sections at the likes of Independent, Arch 16, the Sage, as well as others. Rapping poems that had been written without a beat in mind. People seemed to dig it and I’ve been perfecting my craft ever since.
Probably one of my funniest stories to date was the buildup to the Devlin gig.
So, I was supporting Devlin last summer and I turned up with Lydn out of SQUARMS and KV$HNOODLE and we go backstage and a couple of the other support acts were in one of the green rooms. On the table is a bottle of Hennessy and some bottles of coke in the fridge. Now, between me arriving and the promoter coming into the room, that bottle of Hennessy got opened and a couple of glasses were poured, and I’m not saying anything more on that.
Later, the promoter started going berserk, shouting, “who’s helped themselves to Devlin’s rider?”
Anyways, I jet out of there, go for a mingle and say hi to a few familiar faces and go back after 10 minutes to see Lydn sitting in the other green room doorway, the promoter screaming at him, asking what’s in his cup - and Lydn is just laughing in his face.
Next thing the promoter is threatening to knock him out and Lydn is just like, “go on then!” All the while, KV$HNOODLE is absolutely taking the piss with the drinks that were in the fridges, also not for us!
So, picture me grabbing Lydn by the shoulders and pulling him through the doorway before any proper drama escalated...
And that was my first experience of hanging out with 50% of SQUARMS. The rest of the night was hella messy!
*Photography by Ryan Yates and J.Spinkz
To get a taste of PhilthLike check out the video below of Phils' song 'Lawless'. To find out more about Phil follow his social media and streaming platforms!