Reach Records’ award-winning artist, 1K Phew, has released his first official solo album, As I Am! The album’s theme, come as you are, imparts an important message that is sure to resonate with people who know God, but feel trapped in the streets. 1K Phew is intentional about creating music that the holy yet hood can relate to. For 1K Phew, it’s about keeping it more than 100, but 1000!
“A lot of people think you got to put on for the church and even for the streets, but you can really come as you are,” he explains. “I grew up in the church, but was lured into the streets. Although I went to church all my life, I thought I could do everything without God. It was during the pandemic that I personally grew closer to God and found him for myself! As I Am is about me coming as I am, flawed and imperfect and being accepted by God.”
His previously released singles and videos from the album, “The Offering,” and “Church House Trap House,” speak directly to his experiences growing up holy yet in the hood!
He followed through with a third single, “Safe” ft Jai’ Len Josey, an introspective thank you letter to God for keeping him safe from a near death experience.
For As I Am, 1K Phew invites several friends to collaborate including Jonathan McReynolds on the title track, Tye Tribbett on “Baptize,” WHATUPRG on “Father Abraham,” 1K Pson on “Church House Trap House,” Jai’Len Josey on “Safe”, Aha Gazelle on “Speed Racer,” and Trip Lee & Lecrae on “Amen Again.”
Recently awarded Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year at the 37th Annual Stellar Awards for his collaborative album with Lecrae, No Church In A While, 1K Phew has also been nominated alongside Lecrae for a 2002 Dove Award in the categories of “Rap/Hip-Hop Album of The Year” (No Church In A While) and Rap/Hip-Hop Song of the Year for “Wildin,” a song on the album.
“God gave me the swag and the sauce and I’m going to use it! I just want to share my life through this music. My message is faith, hope and encouraging people to be their authentic self in Christ. The story I’m telling is how I overcame my obstacles,” shares 1K Phew. “You can’t force anybody to follow your way, but you can keep it 1000, come as you are and watch God bring them to you.”
Click here Stream “As I Am” on All DSPS
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You have to check out 1K Phew’s Instagram page and his hysterical thank you to collaborators on As I Am!
The fun and efornergetic music video for the first single, “The Offering,” (song produced by Phenom) and video directed by Derrell Lamar, recreated one of the church robbery scenes from Screen Gems/Cube Vision comedy, “First Sunday” (2008), written, produced, and directed by David E. Talbert and starring Ice Cube, Tracy Morgan, Katt Williams, Loretta Devine, Malinda Williams, Regina Hall, Michael Beach, Rickey Smiley, Olivia Cole and more. The next single, “Church House Trap House” ft 1K Pson included real and authentic visuals of where 1K Phew comes from, the East side of Atlanta, GA.
In the Church House Trap House music video ft 1 Pson, directed by Caleb Seales and Jerrell Lamar, 1K visually takes you to the church which was right next to the trap house. “For me growing up, going to church meant seeing drug deals and shoot outs on the way. Sometimes these things would be happening at the same time service was going on. Because of that environment, I was exposed to a lot of “sin” in or around the church. I’m not saying it’s good or bad, but it’s my experience and a lot of others’ as well. I don’t think it’s being talked about in Christian music, so I feel it’s necessary to bring it up.”