Stelios Phili

Last updated

Stelios Phili
Birth nameStelios Phili
Origin New York, New York
Genres
Occupation(s) Producer, Songwriter, Composer
Years active2013–present
Website www.steliosphili.com

Stelios Phili [1] is a Cypriot-American songwriter, record producer, and composer based in New York, New York. [1] He has produced tracks featuring artists such as A$AP Ferg, Young Thug, Lolo Zouai, SZA, MIA, and Big Sean. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Songwriting and production

According to an interview with MTV, [1] Stelios Phili met rapper A$AP Ferg while working at GQ in 2013. The two began collaborating after fellow A$AP Mob member A$AP Nast passed along one of the producer's beats, which would later become the A$AP Ferg song "Ja-Rule" featuring Big Sean. In 2014, Phili produced the first single from A$AP Ferg's mixtape, Ferg Forever . The song, "Doe-Active", was met with positive reviews. [4] [5] [6] [7] Pitchfork Media described the song as "a minimalist beat that could've slid right into Yeezus", Stereogum called it "a total nutso banger", and Complex named it a "certified banger, with club-destroying drums". Phili's production was featured on four additional tracks on Ferg Forever.

In 2015, Phili produced DonMonique's debut EP, Thirst Trap. The New York Times described it as "full of transfixing slo-mo production by Stelios Phili somewhere between modern-day Internet-rap sparseness and the hard, murky slap of mid-1990s New York street rap." [8]

In 2017, Phili began collaborating with New York-based artist Lolo Zouaï. Their first collaboration, "High Highs to Low Lows", topped Spotify's Fresh Finds Best of 2017 list. [9] Since then, he has co-written and produced Zouaï's two albums on RCA Records, 2019's High Highs to Low Lows and 2022's Playgirl. [10] [11]

In 2018, Phili produced the Young Thug and Elton John collaboration "High". According to Rolling Stone , the song came together after Phili read an interview with Elton John, who expressed his admiration for Young Thug. After Phili built a new beat around an edited version of the "Rocket Man" a cappella, 300 Entertainment A&R Geoff Ogunlesi played the song to Young Thug. On September 24, 2018, "High" was released on his EP On the Rvn . [12] The song was awarded Best New Music by Pitchfork Media, with The Fader describing the song's reception as "swift and rapturous" and "a return to iconoclastic form for Young Thug." [13] [14]

Soundtracks and scores

Fashion

In 2013, Stelios Phili composed the runway music for En Noir's Spring/Summer 2014 show. [15] [16] In early 2014, he composed the music for designer Mark McNairy's Fall/Winter 2014 show. [17] [18]

In 2018, Phili founded of the sound design studio SCÈNES. Through his studio, Phili has scored campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent, Nars, Calvin Klein, Nike, Vogue , Adidas, Tom Ford, Estée Lauder, and Louis Vuitton. [19] In 2020, he remixed Lady Gaga’s “Sine from Above” for Valentino’s Voce Viva campaign, directed by Harmony Korine. [20] In 2022, Phili produced a remix of Queen’s “A Kind of Magic” for a global Coca-Cola campaign that launched Coke Studio. [19]

In 2022, Phili composed the music for designer Kim Shui's Spring/Sumer 2023 runway show. [21] [22] [23]

Film and TV

Phili's music has been featured in TV shows such as Euphoria , Insecure , and The Afterparty . [24] [25] For Apple TV’s The Afterparty (2022), he composed an EP for the fictional rapper, Xavier, played by Dave Franco. [26] [27] He has also contributed music to the award-winning films Lowland Kids (2019) and The Fallout (2021). [28]

Musical style

Phili's production style is described as fresh and understated. According to Pigeons & Planes , "Stelios Phili is one of those producers you can recognize from the jump—he utilizes a unique collection of sounds that is both muted and aggressive: murky synths and pillowy cymbal taps are cut by a fierce snare, or a saxophone seamlessly transforms into an electric guitar. Its all about subtlety with SP, and he's got it down to a science." [29]

Discography

Production and writing credits

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ASAP Rocky</span> American rapper (born 1988)

Rakim Athelaston Mayers, known professionally as ASAP Rocky, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Harlem, he embarked on his musical career as a member of the hip hop collective ASAP Mob, from which he adopted his moniker. In August 2011, Mayers' single "Peso" was leaked online and within weeks, began receiving radio airplay. He signed with Polo Grounds Music, an imprint of RCA Records in October of that year, and shortly after, released his debut mixtape, Live. Love. A$AP (2011) to widespread critical acclaim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Future (rapper)</span> American rapper (born 1983)

Nayvadius DeMun Cash, known professionally as Future, is an American rapper and singer. Known for his mumble-styled vocals and prolific output, Future is considered a pioneer of the use of Auto-Tuned melodies in trap music. Due to the sustained popularity of this musical style, he is commonly regarded as one of the most influential rappers of his generation.

Trap is a subgenre of hip hop music that originated in the Southern United States, with lyrical references to trap starting in 1991 but the modern sound of trap appearing in 1999. The genre gets its name from the Atlanta slang term "trap house", a house used exclusively to sell drugs. Trap music is known for its simple, rhythmic, minimalistic productions that uses synthesized drums, and is characterized by complex hi-hat patterns, snare drums, bass drums, some tuned with a long decay to emit a bass frequency, and lyrical content that often focuses on drug use and urban violence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ASAP Mob</span> American hip hop collective

ASAP Mob is an American hip hop collective formed in 2006 in Harlem, New York City, that consists of rappers, record producers, music video directors and fashion designers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ASAP Ferg</span> American rapper

Darold Durard Brown Ferguson Jr., known professionally as FERG, is an American rapper from Harlem, New York City. He is a lead member of the hip hop collective ASAP Mob, from which he adopted his moniker and signed a recording contract with Polo Grounds and RCA Records—the same labels that helped launch ASAP Worldwide—in January 2013. Two years prior, the group's cohorts, ASAP Rocky and the late ASAP Yams, effectively negotiated their own contract with the label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ASAP Ferg discography</span> Hip hop recording artist discography

American rapper ASAP Ferg has released two studio albums, three mixtapes, one extended play and forty eight singles.

<i>Trap Lord</i> 2013 studio album by ASAP Ferg

Trap Lord is the debut studio album by American rapper ASAP Ferg. The album was released on August 20, 2013, by ASAP Worldwide, Polo Grounds Music, and RCA Records. The album features guest appearances from ASAP Rocky, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, French Montana, Trinidad James, Schoolboy Q, Waka Flocka Flame, Aston Matthews, B-Real and Onyx.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ASAP Nast</span> American rapper

Tariq Amar Devega, known professionally as ASAP Nast, is an American rapper, songwriter and model from Harlem, New York. Nast is best known as a member of the hip hop collective A$AP Mob. As part of A$AP Mob, they released their first project as a group, a mixtape titled Lord$ Never Worry in 2012. His breakout song, "Trillmatic" featuring Wu-Tang Clan's Method Man was released on December 4, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young Thug</span> American rapper (born 1991)

Jeffery Lamar Williams, known professionally as Young Thug, is an American rapper. Known for his eccentric vocal style and fashion, he is considered an influential figure in modern hip hop and trap music, and a pioneer of the mumble rap microgenre. Williams embarked on a musical career in 2011, releasing a series of mixtapes beginning with I Came from Nothing. In 2013, he signed with fellow Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane's 1017 Records and gained further attention and praise for his debut mixtape with the label, 1017 Thug, released in February of that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metro Boomin</span> American hip hop producer

Leland Tyler Wayne, known professionally as Metro Boomin, is an American record producer. Critically acclaimed for his dark production style, he is regarded as one of the most influential producers in modern hip hop and trap music. His frequent collaborators include Future, Young Thug, the Weeknd, Travis Scott, Don Toliver, 21 Savage, Gucci Mane, Gunna and Nav.

<i>Ferg Forever</i> 2014 mixtape by ASAP Ferg

Ferg Forever is the debut mixtape by American rapper ASAP Ferg. It was released on November 28, 2014, by ASAP Worldwide. The mixtape features guest appearances from Big Sean, M.I.A., Twista, Bunji Garlin, YG, Wynter Gordon and ASAP Nast, among others.

Crystal Caines is a Guyanese–American rapper, record producer, artist, songwriter and engineer based in Harlem, New York. She has Produced and been featured on tracks by BIA, Baauer, MIA, Jack Harlow, Bryson Tiller, Ransom, Nick Hook and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Level</span> 2015 single by ASAP Ferg featuring Future

"New Level" is a song by American rapper A$AP Ferg featuring fellow American rapper Future. It was released on December 18, 2015, as the lead single from the former's second studio album Always Strive and Prosper (2016). Produced by Honorable C.N.O.T.E., the song peaked at number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his third highest-charting single. The official remix was released on October 20, 2016 with additional verses from A$AP Rocky and Lil Uzi Vert.

<i>Always Strive and Prosper</i> 2016 album by ASAP Ferg

Always Strive and Prosper is the second studio album by American rapper ASAP Ferg. It was released on April 22, 2016, by A$AP Worldwide, Polo Grounds Music and RCA Records. The album was supported by two singles: "New Level" featuring Future, and "Back Hurt" featuring Migos. Other appearances include Missy Elliot, A$AP Mob, Chris Brown, Ty Dolla $ign, Rick Ross and Schoolboy Q, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Limit (Usher song)</span> 2016 single by Usher featuring Young Thug

"No Limit" is a song by American singer Usher featuring fellow American rapper Young Thug. It was written by the artists alongside producers Rock City, Brandon "B.A.M." Hodge, and Christopher "Talent" Perry. The track gives reference to Master P's song, "Make 'Em Say Uhh", from his 1997 No Limit Records release Ghetto D singing, "Make you say uh, no limit / Got that Master P, no limit baby"

Matthew Lopez, known professionally as Aston Matthews, is a Guatemalan-American rapper from Los Angeles, California. In 2014, he began to gain recognition following the release of his second mixtape, A$ton 3:16. Matthews is also a part of the Los Angeles hip-hop trio Cutthroat Boyz alongside fellow Californian rappers Vince Staples and Joey Fatts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plain Jane (song)</span> 2017 single by ASAP Ferg

"Plain Jane" is a song by American rapper ASAP Ferg. The song was released on June 13, 2017, as the lead single from his third studio album, Still Striving (2017). It was produced by Kirk Knight, and it is a hip hop song. The official remix featuring fellow New York City-based rapper Nicki Minaj was released on December 15, 2017. This version peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his second highest-charting single until "Move Ya Hips" in 2020—which also featured Minaj.

Octavian Oliver Lanoire, known mononymously as Octavian, is a French-British rapper, singer, and songwriter from London. In 2019 he won the BBC's Sound of Award, their top award for new artists. He has appeared on tracks produced by Diplo, Mura Masa, Take a Daytrip, JRick and A2. He has collaborated with Skepta, A$AP Ferg, Gorillaz, and many others.

<i>On the Rvn</i> 2018 EP by Young Thug

On the Rvn is the second extended play by American rapper Young Thug. It was released on September 24, 2018 by 300 Entertainment and Atlantic Records to streaming platforms. It features collaborations with 6lack, Jaden Smith, Elton John, T-Shyne, and Offset and follows a month after Thug's compilation album Slime Language.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lolo Zouaï</span> French-Algerian-American singer

Laureen Rebeha Zouaï, better known as Lolo Zouaï, is a French-born American singer. Born to a French mother and an Algerian father in Paris, France, Zouaï moved to San Francisco, California when she was three months old. She graduated from Lowell High School in 2013. She released her debut album, High Highs to Low Lows, in 2019. The album was given a 7.5 out of 10 rating by Pitchfork. Zouaï was featured as "one to watch" by The Guardian in April 2019. She co-wrote "Still Down" from H.E.R.'s self-titled album, which won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Alexis, Nadeska (November 29, 2014). "A$AP Ferg's Ferg Forever Mixtape: A Track-By-Track Breakdown". MTV Rap Fix. Archived from the original on December 2, 2014.
  2. Rettig, James (November 28, 2014). "Download A$AP Ferg - Ferg Forever". Stereogum. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  3. Strauss, Matthew. "DonMonique "Tha Low" [ft. Slayter and Danny Brown]". Pitchfork. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  4. Strauss, Matthew. "A$AP Ferg, "Doe-Active"". Pitchfork.com. Pitchfork. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  5. Breihan, Tom (November 17, 2014). "A$AP Ferg – "Doe-Active"". Stereogum. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  6. Garvey, Meaghan. "Listen to A$AP Ferg's "Doe-Active"". Complex.com. Complex Media.
  7. Price, Joe. "A$AP FERG – "DOE-ACTIVE"". Pigeons & Planes. Complex Media.
  8. Caramonica, Jon (July 29, 2015). "New Releases From Bea Miller, Sublime With Rome and DonMonique". The New York Times. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  9. "Spotify's Fresh Finds Best of 2017". Spotify. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  10. Howard, Jackson. "Lolo Zouaï - High Highs to Low Lows". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  11. Saywitz, Rachel. "Lolo Zouaï - Playgirl". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  12. Leight, Elias (September 25, 2018). "The Long and Surreal Road to Young Thug (and Elton John)'s 'High'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  13. Pierce, Sheldon. "Best New Track: Young Thug High ft. Elton John". Pitchfork.com. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  14. Darville, Jordan (March 23, 2016). "How the Young Thug and Elton John song actually happened". thefader.com. The Fader. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  15. Feldman, Electra Fay. "COAL WASTELAND: EN NOIR SS14". milkmade.com. Milk Studios. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  16. Wilson, Gaby. "En Noir Spreads Street Goth Love To Womenswear For Spring 2014 NYFW". MTV.com. Viacom. Archived from the original on September 12, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  17. Wilson, Gaby. "How Mark McNairy's Fall 2014 Soundtrack Mixed Miles Davis With Beavis And Butt-Head". mtv.com. Viacom. Archived from the original on March 7, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  18. Bazner, David (February 12, 2014). "Meet the Man Behind the Music at Mark McNairy Fall-Winter 2014". GQ.com. Conde Nast. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  19. 1 2 "Scènes". Scènes. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  20. "Lady Gaga Fronts Valentino Perfume Campaign Directed by Harmony Korine". Little Black Book. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  21. "Kim Shui and Afterpay Brought a First-Of-It's-Kind [sic] Crowdsourced Runway Show to Grand Central Station". hypebeast. September 22, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  22. Moen, Matt. "Kim Shui Crowdsourced Her Latest Show". Paper. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  23. Monroe, Michael. "Tidal Creates New Stage for Rising Artists at New York Fashion Week". Contrast. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  24. "Stelios Phili". iMDB.
  25. Sgherri, Gabby (September 19, 2022). "Lolo Zouaï Is Ready to Chat: Musical Soulmates, Fashion, & IDGAF Ethos". Beatroute. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  26. Shanfeld, Ethan (February 2, 2022). "Dave Franco Talks 'The Afterparty' and Making Music as Fictional Pop Star Xavier". Variety. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  27. Reiff, Alex (February 11, 2022). "Get a Different Point of View: How the Creators and Cast of "The Afterparty" Accomplished Changing Genres in Each Episode". Laughing Place.
  28. "Short Film of the Day: Lowland Kids". Shorted. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  29. Moore, Jacob. "10 RAP PRODUCERS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW (BUT SHOULD)". Pigeons and Planes. Complex.com. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  30. "Young Thug (Ft. Elton John) – High".
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 High Highs to Low Lows, April 19, 2019, retrieved May 31, 2021
  32. 1 2 High Highs to Low Lows (Deluxe), December 13, 2019, retrieved May 31, 2021
  33. Beautiful Lies, June 17, 2020, retrieved May 31, 2021
  34. Galipette, June 30, 2021, retrieved February 14, 2022
  35. Scooter, November 3, 2022, retrieved February 14, 2022