INTERVIEW: PHresher Talks 'Wait A Minute' EP, NYC Rappers & More

By now, every hip hop head has heard Phresher’s “Wait A Minute” at least a billion times since it dropped last year. The high-energy, catchy song has been bumping on the radio and in clubs not only in New York City, but all across the country.

Repping Brooklyn to the fullest, the rising star’s music has garnered the attention of several other NYC artists, too.  50 Cent, Remy Ma, Cardi B, Uncle Murda, and Young M.A. have all jumped on “Wait A Minute” and delivered fire remixes of the record. The future is bright for 27-year-old Phresher, who’s all about proving why he’s a new force to be reckoned in the hip hop community.

The talent dropped his Wait A Minute EP on Feb. 24 via Empire Records. The project consists of six songs and features the “Wait A Minute” remix with Remy Ma. iHeartRadio sat down with PH to discuss his new EP, his upcoming Gangsta Grillz mixtape with DJ Drama, NYC rappers and more.

Peep iHeartRadio’s interview with PHresher below.

What was the recording process like for your Wait A Minute EP?

This EP was written right around the time ‘Wait a Minute’ caught fire. My life changed. It was turn up time. I was in the clubs partying. So, the other five songs on the EP reflect that. It [was] a real fun time recording these particular records because they were just fun times. You know, club nights…ratchet.

How does it feel to have your first major song blow up?

Awesome. Words can't describe how I feel. You work so hard for this moment, to be acknowledged by the masses. I'm honored to be recognized by so many people. On the way here, I'm riding in the car and [people are shouting] ‘Phresher!’ I love that. ‘Wait a Minute’ changed my life. Thank God.

It also got a lot of love from several New York rappers like 50 Cent, Young M.A., Remy Ma, Cardi B, etc. How does that feel?

That was awesome. The record really resonated strong in New York, and in other parts of the Unites States. But in New York, where I'm from, it was just everything at one point. Everybody in New York wanted to be a part of it and I was grateful. I appreciated that greatly. From 50, Remy Ma, Young M.A… everybody.

Who exactly are you telling to wait a minute, in the song?

[Laughter] I'm telling the thirsty females, the thirsty guys that want to get in VIP and the people that want money from me now. It's like, wait a minute. You didn't help me get this. You ain't gonna help me spend it. It's just telling everybody that's being overzealous at my recent success and also the haters, ‘Wait a minute, y'all gotta wait, this my time.’ It’s just telling everybody that I don't want to be bothered.

You and Desiigner actually worked together before all of this. Are you still cool? Do you talk to him?

We don't talk over the phone. We see each other in-person and at shows and we speak. It's no beef. I wish him the best. I'm pretty sure he wishes me the best.

Does the success of your ‘Wait A Minute’ song make you nervous about other songs that you’re going to drop?

Not at all. I always said once I caught one, the rest would just follow because now they trust you. The goal is not to chase another ‘Wait a Minute.’ It's just to make good music. None of my records are bigger than me. I have a big character. I'm funny and I love to have fun. All my music will always reflect that…No fear at all, [there's] no pressure to produce ‘Wait a Minute’ again or another hit.

One of your songs on the EP is ‘Lyft (F**k A Uber).’ Did you make that after the whole airport fiasco with the Muslim Ban?

Yes I did, definitely. It was just taking advantage of the times. You want to make sure the music is all [about] timing. I felt the need to be the voice of Lyft. That's what I did when I made that ‘F**k A Uber’ song.

Were there any songs on the EP that you were hesitant about releasing?

None. [But] I had a record called ‘Old Boy’ that didn't make the project. I just felt like it was outdated. It didn't fit the time... it didn't fit the mold of what was going on. I'm big on a project [with] all the records having the same vibe. If it wasn't turnt up, I didn't feel it. If I didn't [feel it], it wasn't going on the project. ‘Old Boy’ didn't make me do that. So, that's why it missed the project.

So, the vibe of your EP is basically turnt up from beginning to end?

Yeah, turnt up party music. Let's have fun. I'm high off life right now. I don't do drugs. So, music is my high. My success is my high. It's great.

What kind of artist do you want people to see you as? Is there anything that you want to prove?

I’m a very versatile artist. I can do anything. I got an EDM record, a pop record, a trap record. I can do everything. That's what I want people to know [about] me.

And there's more music to come. I'm here to prove that I'm here to stay. That's what [my] EP is going to prove. Then, the following project is coming in late April, early May. That's a mixtape with DJ Drama, Gangsta Grillz. I got a couple of features. I got Don Q on there. I have Kent Jones, French, etc. It's a lot of others I don't want to mention. I'm excited about the project.

Describe your EP to someone who hasn't heard it yet.

Sophisticated ignorance. I’m a very intelligent dude. I always display myself as such, but I'm also fun. Let your hair down. You only have one life to live, so just live it. I want to say this EP is just ratchet, sophisticated, ignorant, fun [and] informal. It's just great, man. It's like a soundtrack of my life within the last six months.

**WARNING: Explicit language below**

Photos: Rachel Kaplan for iHeartRadio