Talented. Funny. Weird. Unique…….A Star. While browsing the internet one day, T4S Magazine’s staff came across the “The Best Trey Songz Impersonation Ever” on Youtube. The impersonator’s name is “Philip Wade” and there is definitely more to him than most think.
Interview By: Tyrone Davis
How does it feel to be one of the most sought after people online right now?
Actually, its very weird! All of this attention has been a result of me and my team’s antics over the last few weeks. This is definitely a 0-60 in 2.3 seconds type of moment.
Its obvious you don’t have a problem being yourself and I assume you are like this daily. Describe your personality.
I’m a left handed Libra and I definitely don’t have a problem being myself. However, I am shy until I warm up to people. When it comes to performing, the larger the crowd, the more comfortable I am lol. For the most part, I’m a fun kind of guy. I love to put a smile on people’s faces.
What was your childhood like? Where did you grow up?
I was an only child until I was 13 so that forced me to be very imaginative and creative. Contrary to popular believe about me being from Houston, I was actually born in Rochester, NY and grew up there and Patterson, NJ.
You attended Prairie View A & M in Houston correct? What did you major in?
Yes, I sure did. I love my school! I got my degree in computer engineering. There is a brain under this “High Mullet Top Tape Shag Fade” Lol! Fortunately, I found engineering to be boring so I started teaching. You can probably guess what else I’d rather be doing right now though. Refer to videos Lol!
A lot of your buzz came from the “Trey Songz Impersonation” Video. What was the process like after it was posted and did you think it would be where it is now?
Honestly, I had no idea it would turn out the way it did. My friends and I have been doing things like this for a long time but when Trey noticed it and mentioned it while he was on Ustream, it just amplified everything on our end. He was a good sport.
How many emails are you getting daily?
Oh my goodness! More than I have ever gotten in life! I get something like 150 daily with all sorts of requests and well wishes. Its not overwhelming. It just feels a little awkward because I’m just a regular guy being myself and doing what I have been doing my whole life. Aren’t there thousands of other people just like me doing something similar Lol?
Of course you have a team of friends (who are also in your videos) helping the cause. Break that down for us. Are they “SpB2 Studios” and if not, what is the affiliation there?
My team, which consists of Steven Bentham, DJ Kendrick, David Butler and many others are all a product of my school. We all met there and linked up for various reasons at some point. SPB2 Studios is Steven’s company where we specializes in photography and video. David aka King David is also a photographer and one of the dopest coreographers in Houston. DJ is an awesome musician and legal nerd Lol. We use each other’s talents to reach our goals. It is a beautiful unorthodoxed puzzle and we well with each other.
I recently watched the “Happy Birthday Song: Phil Wade Version” video and it completely caught me off guard. I hadn’t laughed that hard in awhile. Can you please explain what happened there? That final picture looks nasty as hell, by the way lol.
Well, it was Steven’s idea for me to write a Bday song that wasn’t so boring and present it to our Facebook friends. Needless to say, it turned into much more. My friend Janaia Luxe smashed a cake into my face after I was done singing and everyone except me thought it was soooo funny. So, they produced the video. End of story.
You are a talented individual and are a lot like myself (Renaissance Man). What all do you do?
Renaissance Man!!!…Hahahaha….I like that…..Every ounce of me is just in love with “The Arts” in general. I love to sing, act, dance, write music, and poetry to name a few.
Showing your love for music, you have the “Jam Session” videos on youtube as well. Who influences you musically and if you could only keep 1 cd to listen to for the rest of your life, which would it be?
My late grandfather, my dad, and Jamie Fox (when he started on “In Living Color”) strongly influenced my desire to sing while I was growning up. But, If I could keep one cd to listen to for the rest of my life, it would be Andre 3000’s “The Love Below”!!!! The color, freedom and brilliance that the project exudes are unprecented. He influences my style of dress and my approach to music as well. So, you may ask, “Who wants to work with 3000?”…..THIS guy does!!!….LOL!
Let’s talk about the hair. I’ve done some research and I’ve seen quite a few different styles that you’ve had. What’s next?
I’m going to keep this hair style for awhile. I think that this describes my personality and my individuality. I really don’t like being like everybody else anyway.
The internet is filled with a lot of depressed and angry people and the fact that they are anonymous for the most part makes it worse. Does the good outweigh the bad and what would you like to say to your “haters” out there?
The good definitely outweighs the bad. The encouragement and love tht I have received has been of gargantuan proportian. And regarding the hate, People hated on Jesus and he was perfect. So, Who am I not to get any of that leftover hate that the world has to give. I use it as mental and spiritual calesthinics…Dig? Lol.
How can you be contacted by fans and for other business opportunities?
Easy. I can be contacted throught Facebook (Phill Wade) or Twitter (@PhillWade)
Well, “Twenty4Seven Magazine” and I would like to thank you for the interview. Not many people are comfortable in their own skin and for that, you have our respect. Any last words?
Hopefully, I can encourage someone to be comfortable in their own skin. Somebody somewhere is definitely going to love you for who you are and what you can offer to the world. So don’t worry about being accepted by the popular crew in your immediate vicinity. Just believe with all your heart that you’re dope in your own right and you’ll be contagious in no time. You’ll know what you are when people start hating. Be irregular…..Be you…..Be blessed.
