Brooklyn's "noGENRE" Quintet Phony Ppl Return with Soul, Funk, Hip-Hop & R&B-inflected Single "Before You Get a Boyfriend" (300 Entertainment)

"The band we know as Phony Ppl is a mix of people, time, and sound that's been nurtured over generations in Brooklyn" currently consisting of members: Elbee Thrie on vocals, Elijah Rawk on lead guitar, Matt "Maffyuu" Byas on drums, Aja Grant on keyboards, and Bari Bass on, of course, bass guitar. Since forming in 2009—amidst self-releasing 3 albums and an EP on Phony PPL LLC—Phony Ppl have had the unique opportunity to perform alongside Domo Genesis, Erykah Badu, Fetty Wap, Kali Uchis, Mac Miller, Odd Future, Princess Nokia, The Roots, Snake Hips, and more. Now, following a brief hiatus, Phony Ppl have returned with their first new material since Yesterday's Tomorrow (2015.) Last week, okayplayer premiered "Before You Get a Boyfriend," which effortlessly blends together Soul, Funk, Hip-Hop, and R&B-leaning sounds into a "noGENRE" musical mix the site deems "an ice-cold summer daydream." Phony Ppl's self-produced and Qmillion mixed "Before You Get a Boyfriend" was accompanied by an equally fun-loving music video, wherein frontman Elbee Thrie does his damnedest to "woo over" the cashier at a local corner bodega "Before [She Gets] a Boyfriend."


Phony Ppl recently compiled a 14-song Spotify playlist also called "Before You Get A Boyfriend" that consists of selections the band describes as, "sonGs we've been inspired by over the course of our journey creatinG this album. Some Old some New, all Good music;" Phony Ppl's playlist includes Bobby Hutcherson, Earth, Wind & Fire, Tortured Soul, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Nxworries, AOE, Caldera & Dianne Reeves, Madlib, D'Angelo, Tierra Whack, Peggy Gou, Blame Candy, Pleasure, and CASIOPEA. It appears as though Phony Ppl are currently working on their long-awaited follow-up to Yesterday's Tomorrow, as when GRUNGECAKE asked the group if fans should expect a new album before year's end, Phony Ppl responded: "Yes, sooner than you probably think! 😉" Phony Ppl's Facebook & Twitter pages (@PhonyPpl) as well as @ElijahRawk, @mrbaribass, @AjaGrantPurple, @MaffYuu & @ElbeeThrieBeats' personal pages have changed their Default pics to mosaic tile-like images very similar to "Before You Get a Boyfriend"'s single artwork. Phony Ppl's "Before You Get a Boyfriend" is now available on Soundcloud, Spotify, and like-minded streaming platforms, via 300 Entertainment.