Reach Records award-winning artist, 1K Phew, has released his third single and video from his upcoming album, As I Am, to be released Fall 2022. 1K Phew’s refined rawness and genuine directness resonates with people who know God but feel trapped in the streets. His previously released songs, “The Offering,” and “Church House Trap House,” speaks directly to and for them. He latest single, “Safe” ft Jai’ Len Josey, is an introspective thank you letter to God for keeping him safe from a near death experience.
Although he grew up in the church with two praying parents, who loved and encouraged him, 1K Phew still found himself going down a destructive path as a teen. “It wasn’t until I almost got shot one day that I decided to truly surrender my life to God and His plan. Every time I tried to do things my way, it didn’t work out for me. That incident was a turning point for me. It had to be God that day because I was so close to losing my life. I automatically just started thanking God for sparing my life. Coming that close to being killed was the wakeup call I needed. From that day onward, I was different. I committed to a personal relationship with God over being religious. I’m so thankful that God kept me safe.”
Feeling redeemed and renewed, he’s focused on a greater purpose which includes creating music that the holy and the hood can feel and relate to. The song’s lyrics are transparent. “I ain’t tryna be another one on that list, gone too soon. Cause I just gotta make it back to my kids I got a few. Tryna pay my dues, have something to lose. Cause they always heard my neighborhood on the news. And I’m living proof, but I got nothing to prove. And I brought my brothers might as well save them too.”
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.
“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, let your light shine and watch them come to you.”
Stream “Safe” on All DSPS: https://1kphew.ffm.to/safe
Watch the Video: https://youtu.be/5EejEbqWcB8
Follow 1K Phew everywhere @1KPhew
The fun and energetic 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.”