Soft spoken, thoughtful but engaging.Immediately, Phil Browne, who is known as Phil Man, shows that he has the ability to capture one's attention. His easy-going demeanor penetrated the phone line during a chat with the T&T Guardian on Monday.As he spoke, he said that he was on his way to Tobago, where he would meet with the producer responsible for a video for his new track, This Life.The song which is carded to be released tomorrow, was written by Phil Man himself, but produced by San Fernando based music producer, Ibo Junior.At the age of 26, Browne admitted that he had seen and felt the ups and downs of life, having been raised in Blue Basin, Diego Martin, by a single mother. His music is a reflection of his experiences and the experiences of the youth around him.
Words of inspiration
A tradesman by profession, the young artists who dabbles in both soca and conscious music, explained that he also wrote music for upcoming entertainers. His passion for writing and vocalising led to him obtaining a spot in the International Soca Monarch Competition in 2010."I sang a song called Rags Up Dey," he recalled, adding that he later released a soca parang called Around the World. With an undeniable fight to achieve, in him, Phil Man is working hard."This Life is about society. It's a look at where the nation and the youths are heading," he highlighted, adding that while there are messages in the song for the young and impressionable, there are also verses for adults who contribute to the negative things in society, sometimes without even being aware."I came up real hard. I remember times when I drank sugar water and got just bread for school. In this life, many of us get advantaged but that's no reason for the youths to kill each other," he rationalised.
Music to healthe nation
With music his medium of expression, the Diego Martin native said he wanted people to know that when youths were referred to in one way or another, everyone had a contribution to make in their development."We all have a part to play. Once we approach them with an open heart and mind, we can heal T&T and make it a better place. Our job is to bring positive information to the youths," said Phil. Looking to local artistes like Maximus Dan and Fireball for continued inspiration, Phil said such artistes lived the lessons they preached and for this reason, he held them in high esteem.On the heels of This Life, another track called Time To Be Free is being prepared for release.
This one he said, had more international appeal, and unlike This Life which is a conscious-soca track, Time To Be Free is filled with the influence of reggae music."It's another nation building song," said Phil Man."With his eyes set on influencing positive change in a society that has been scarred by negative occurrences, it's certainly hoped that the efforts of this young entertainer can be commended by those looking on.