Many consider Philly to be the one area where Christian Hip Hop artist usually came from. We saw labels like CMR and Lampmode and artists such as Japhia Life and Eshon Burgundy, but there have been many artists who have come from another state and that is Florida. From the likes of Rhema Soul, Cheno Lyfe, to Pettidee and Dre Marshall, we have seen talent and unity spring forth from that area. From Jacksonville, FL comes Big Fil, an artist who seeks to fill in the gap between the streets and the church doing it in a big way. You’ve gotten glimpses and glimmers, now it’s time to “Fil” in the whole picture!
Lamar: Hey Big Fil, DaSouth.com thanks you for reaching out to us for this interview!
Big Fil: No thank you fam, I really count it a blessing! It’s been a longtime coming!
Lamar: Yes, people have been seeing glimpses and glimmers of you through music leaks and what not, so it’s cool to get to know who you are. So, we can start with that, who is Big Fil?
Big Fil: Big Fil is a servant of Christ Jesus first and foremost! He also is a dude that wants to glorify God in not only his music but his life, just wild and crazy and sold out man! Trying to stay young you know!
Lamar: That's great man; it’s a definite in this world and in this time that we do this. Trying to stay young, what you mean by that? (laughs).
Big Fil: You know, staying on top of things. Making sure I’m constantly working on making myself better in my ministry, allowing him to work through me, making sure I stay inspired by these young new faces in the Christian Hip Hop arena. I’m not only minister through it, but I’m also a fan!
Lamar: Yea man, I feel you, relevancy is important, among other things as well. I also feel it's important that you express that you’re also a fan of the genre you’re in, because you can find some of the rappers involved in Christian Hip Hop are sometimes even fans of the Hip Hop that they speak against to, and it often looks weird to be honest.
Big Fil: Yeah definitely man. A lot of times that keeps us from uniting! I say it everywhere I go! That’s when his blessing will show forth, when we decide to stop with the friendly fire. He will really move in a way will never thought. Now don’t get me wrong there are some things we must have in common, but when it stops edifying and it turns into division we see some of the same results as today!
Lamar: Amen. So what does the name "Big Fil" specifically mean, for those who may not know?
"D.O.S." (Death of Swag) Big Fil
Big Fil: Well My birth name is Phillip, so I grew up being called Big Phil, Philly Dog (laughs) it goes on and on. Then I decided to try another stage name, but Big Phil just stayed with me. So I ask the Lord to give me a name within the name and one day I arrived at the OFTbeat headquarters and my man CJizzle just said yo son you should use Fil, because your music doesn’t only speak to the body but also to the streets so I knew God called me to bridge that gap! We have music that teaches all day but not a lot of evangelism music! That’s where I made the decision to go with Big Fil.
Lamar: Oh ok, that makes sense, that's a good way to describe it if you were going to use that name. How did you first get involved in doing Christian Hip Hop?
Big Fil: Well before Christ saved me I was rapping in the secular industry. I been around and doing music since I was like 2 years old so by the time I was 15 I realized it was something I wanted to do. So it was always there but when I accepted the gift of salvation I kinda put it down. My leader at the time told me it was best for me to find out who God is, so that what I did, then one day at my high school prep rally they were giving out CD’s and they gave me a copy of Pettidee's first album called Still Alive and when I realized that I can now rap and sing about this amazing God who has changed my life, it was over, not realizing Pettidee was from the same city I was from I had a chance to see it on firsthand and it has been history ever since!
Lamar: Wow, that's a great testimony man. Glad to see how God uses folks! So, in being in the gospel industry now, what do you think that doing this music is? Is it ministry, industry or both?
Big Fil: Well for me it’s definitely ministry but I think you have to keep in mind that there is industry standards. I am not afraid(especially on the grounds that I have been working in this genre of music for years and all the tears and pain and shaping and molding that I had to endure and still enduring) THIS IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY! I have learned that you can be so gifted, you can be someone that drops the hottest 16 every time every feature but if your character is lacking, it can really keep you from going Glory to Glory in Him! See I might receive flack for this but...we as Christian artist have to stop acting like we don’t mind this music [not] supporting our families, like you know "I don’t want to get financial backing I’m just going to continue to travel and have to keep leaving my family and not come home with nothing!" We need the monetary support not only for ourselves but to further our ministry so we can stay healthy and continue to preach the gospel. It’s when we seek after those possessions and the possessions start to make decisions for us that may ultimately hinder our relationship with Jesus, that’s where the problem comes. But always be mindful that this is a business also.
Lamar: Very true, I agree with everything that you’re saying in that. Balance is the key to life as my pastor always says. So, with all the latest leaks that we've been hearing from you on Dasouth, with the “Death of Swag” music leak, and the “Successful (OFT remix)” music video, you've basically been introduced to many through Dasouth on purely "secular" tracks. With that said, before I get into those tracks, do you think that there is a market for "Christian" instrumentals? I don't mean producer albums, but instrumentals from actual well known Christian songs? Is there a reason that this supply isn't met?
Mr. Melody, Big Fil & Phoebe "Successful" (OFT Remix)
Big Fil: I truly believe there is a market for it. We have a lot of talent over here as well, the G-Notes, the 20/20s the Marv4MoBeats, the J.R.'s and so many others man! We have the better joints if you ask me! (laughs) I aint just saying that! But I’m not exactly sure why the supply is so low, but I’m pretty sure some of it has to do with that unity thing we talked about earlier AND the industry question we just talk about! I would love to take a track from Lecrae's Rebel or Brinson "Escaping Me" and show for the gifts God has given me. On that note, shout out to Dwayne Tryumf for the "I Dont Pack a ‘Matic" instrumental, allowing brothers to download that was a blessing.
Lamar: Amen, shoutout to Tryumf, and even K-Drama with the Air Jordan remixes that came out of that. If anyone wants to know the fruit of releasing their instrumentals, one only needs to look at the fruit of those two examples right there. So, let's deal with the recent remix of a popular song by Drake called "Successful.” What made you want to remix that song, plus make a video behind it? The video was very well done by the way.
Big Fil: Well I’m glad you asked that! It was idea given by Man Cjizzle! It wasn’t any deep thought or explanation behind it, I just knew it would turn the heads of people and give the streets something they can listen to! At first it was an immediate no, then one day I heard the song while in the mall and that’s when I decided to do D.O.S and successful. It goes back to the whole street thing, I got a love on the Gospel side, but I really get love in the streets ‘cause I’m not afraid to do certain things. We shot the video just to put face to name and keep people buzzing for the original music we bout to hit ‘em wit. We bout to put a hurt 'em on the devil and his kingdom!
Lamar: Amen, I feel it! So when do you plan on coming out with a debut album?
Big Fil: Yeah we dropping either in Dec. or the top of the year! I will debuting the single called “Put A Hurt'em On'em” featuring Canton Jones on FNF with my man JBlaze and dropping the mixtape host by DJ Will the end of this month! The Album is called Voice of the People! We also got the video with Canton Jones so you know Dasouth will be one of the first to get their hands on that!
Lamar: Yes, sounds good! Can't wait to see some original stuff from you and your camp Now the next question I ask, I usually ask all the time, I love this one. Tell me, what is one attribute of Christ that has truly impacted you the most in life?
Big Fil: His unconditional love for the human man (mankind)! I am truly a witness of his Love!!! For it covers a multitude of sins. I constantly remind myself how wretched I once was and it allows me to life a lifestyle of repentance!!! Glory to God!
Lamar: Amen bro, His love is too amazing and so pure; our lives should be modeled by it always!
Big Fil: Amen to that!
Lamar: So, before we begin to wrap up this interview, just let everyone know your thoughts if there is anything you would want to let the Dasouth family...well Christ family (laughs) know?
Big Fil: Man just to keep him first in everything you do!! He truly is the source of our strength!!! Keep your eyes on Big Fil and the debut album Voice of the People gotta lot of surprises on there. Much love to my city Duval, shoutout to the Counsel and my dude Brinson and the G.C.E fam! OFTbeats fam!! Phoebe and Georgir Melody and to the hottest producer in the WORLD C.J aka CJizzle!!! Love you Dasouth and thank you!!!
Lamar: Amen bro thanks again for the interview, and I pray that the Lord continues to use you, but also like you said that maturity will supersede talent, because we all know what Jesus said will happen on the Day of Judgment. Don't want to end up saying "Lord Lord haven't we done this?” Never want anyone to hear the reply He gives.
Big Fil: Brother you said it like a gentleman and a scholar! Remember if we confess our sins and turn away he is faithful and just to purify us from all unrighteousness! So good to know we have an advocate name Christ Jesus!!!
Big Fil... Pure Gold! written by Shawn Matthew,
October 22, 2009
This is like my little brother. But aside from that, as an artist, I am a true fan. He's got a heart for the things of God and one of the best emcees period! Put him on a track with ANYBODY and he will shine. Oh yeah and the dude can sing too. Foreal foreal. Do not sleep.
Great introductory interview of this artist written by stephen summers,
October 21, 2009
Good job Lamar. Short, to the point with just enough to keep us on the lookout for Big Fil!
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