Clash Interview: Phabo Is Following The Polaris Way

If you haven’t heard of R&B crooner Phabo, you can be forgiven. But not for much longer. The Los Angeles-based, San Diego native released his debut album Soulquarius in 2021 during the pandemic and has been steadily rising amongst the R&B circuit ever since. Channelling the spirit of legendary artists including D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Common and the others who made up the infamous late 90s/early 2000’s movement that were the Soulquarians, he also incorporates a lot of what audiences look for in modern R&B through his use of 808s and flows – almost like a perfect hybrid or a bridge between what has come before and where we’re currently at in the genre. But not in a watered down or forced way, but as an authentic natural progression. A rebirth of sorts.

Having started out as a songwriter however, he is far from new to the industry and can already boast artists such as Kehlani, The Game and Eric Bellinger as collaborators. From a young age he had already tried his hand at many instruments and was always around music thanks to his family, his church upbringing and the influence of his father. Fast forward and he’s talking to CLASH after the release of his sophomore effort, Don’t Get Too Cozy, and ahead of his third headline tour. We speak about his early musical memories, working with UK artists, the lessons he’s learned on tour, following The Polaris Way and more in his most in-depth interview to-date.