“I’ve had people cry at my shows, laugh, dance… that’s what keeps me going. The love people give me in return for what I’m creating.”
Philmore Greene is known for his vivid storytelling, authentic lyricism, and West Side roots. Blending street wisdom with personal experiences, he creates music centered around resilience, growth, and real-life reflection. Through his projects and creative vision, Philmore continues to represent Chicago’s culture while carving his own lane in hip-hop.
Q: Chicago has a sound like nowhere else. How has the city shaped you as an artist?
Philmore Green: Chicago shaped me as an artist in great ways because we’re in the middle of the map. We get so much music at once. Back then we were a test market, and now we’re the market people are watching. We’re under the microscope right now. At the end of the day, it shaped me because I can go to L.A. and do my shit, I can go to the East Coast, I can go down South, I can go anywhere in the world and share my music. Chicago is a very peculiar place because you can come here and get so many different sounds out of one city. It prepared me for everything I’m doing now.
Q: Was there ever a moment where you almost walked away from all of this? What kept you going?
Philmore Green: If I sat here and said there was never a moment, I’d be lying to you. Absolutely. There were definitely moments and more than one. What kept me going were my kids and my supporters. I can put something out and see how it affects people. I’ve had people cry at my shows, laugh, dance… that’s what keeps me going. The love people give me in return for what I’m creating.
Q: What was the process of creating your last project?
Philmore Green: I find where I’m comfortable and I stay there until I’m uncomfortable. Then I find another place where I can create. I pick the beats, get a concept, and stick to it.
With my last project, I really wanted to show where I was from. I talk about where I’m from a lot, K-Town, shout out to everybody over there, my whole family. That’s why the front and back album covers are the houses I grew up in. My mom and dad lived right across the street from each other, so my whole upbringing is in one area. The project was about giving people their flowers, and in return, the people who love me gave me mine.
Q: Which visual you’ve created hits different every time you watch it back, and why?
Philmore Green: One of the most powerful pieces of content I’ve ever made is my Lunch With Philly series, where I highlight independent restaurants while performing one of my verses.
One episode was filmed outside the Fred Hampton mural on the West Side, and I had Fred Hampton Jr. join me. To perform outside that mural with his son was powerful. Every time I watch it, I think, “Man, I don’t think nobody else could’ve pulled that off.” I just be myself and build real relationships with people, and we’ve been locked in ever since.
Q: If someone had never heard your music before, what song would you play them first, and why?
Philmore Green: “Nice to Meet You,” produced by my brother Apollo Brown. The hook literally says my name and “Nice to meet you.” I made that song intentionally because I knew I was going overseas on tour, meeting people for the first time. That’s the perfect introduction.
Q: What is one thing you know you still need to level up on as an artist?
Philmore Green: My merch game. No question.
And dropping more projects. For the past five years I’ve intentionally released one album per year and squeezed every bit of juice out of each one. Now I want to put out more music and build my merchandise.
I know how to network. I know how to walk into a room and connect with people. But merch and releasing more projects, that’s where I want to level up.
Q: Are you looking to sign a record deal, or do you want to remain independent?
Philmore Green: I’ve had small deals with independent labels before. I can’t say I won’t sign because if you’re talking the right talk, you get what you negotiate.
If the negotiations and the terms are right, then yeah, I’ll do a major deal. If not, I’ll stay independent. I don’t mind putting in the extra work or the sleepless nights.
When I say the terms have to be right, I don’t mean signing my life away forever. Maybe it’s one album, maybe two, maybe three. I’ve pressed up my own vinyl before and shipped them myself. You take the risk, you get the bigger reward. It’s more work, but it’s worth it.
Q: What’s something the industry doesn’t tell you about being an independent artist?
Philmore Green: They don’t tell you this shit is hard work.
They show you the bright lights, and people think it’s easy. It’s a lot of shit being dangled in front of your face. Temptation is a strong weakness. Some people fall into it.
The industry doesn’t tell you about the sleepless nights, the sacrifices, the inner workings of the music business. They only show you what you see on your phone or in public.
This shit is hard work. You gotta consistently work. You gotta consistently be in the rooms. You gotta know when to say no. Once you’re in it, you’re in it for life.
Q: Who in Chicago do you think deserves more flowers?
Philmore Green: Rashid Hadee is somebody who deserves a lot of flowers. He’s the person who put me under his wing. He records, produces, writes, raps, mixes, masters. He does it all.
But if I had to name somebody else, it’d be Cody DeCamry.
I always say if I signed a huge deal tomorrow, Cody would be one of the first people I’d call. I call him the André 3000 of Chicago. He’s incredibly lyrical, incredibly different, and people haven’t really tapped into him yet. When the opportunity comes, I’m putting him in front of everybody.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the future?
Philmore Green: Traveling with my daughters. Traveling with my family. Touring the world.
I’m working with a very prestigious producer right now who’s worked with damn near everybody you can think of. I’ve got about eighteen records done already, and I honestly think this project is going to shake shit up for Chicago and for the world.
I see Grammys. I see all the good things coming.
Q: Give us something nobody really knows about you.
Philmore Green: I love candles.
I’m dead serious. Candles, wax warmers, plug-ins… I love all that shit. I love walking into a crib that smells good.
I’m a fall dude. I love hoodie weather. I like sitting in the crib with joggers, socks on, watching sports with candles lit. That’s my peace.
Don’t let Bath & Body Works have a sale… I’m in there spending money.
Q: What never fails to put a smile on your face?
Philmore Green: My babies.
My daughters, especially Katie Bug. She just turned ten, and she never fails to put a smile on my face. She could FaceTime me right now and my whole mood would change.
She’s my baby girl. She looks for me, and that’s what keeps me going. All my girls do, but Katie Bug… she does it every single time.
