Mike Phillips: Pulling Off The Impossible with "Flava In Your Ear' Remix

Mike Phillps, the renowned saxophonist, has been working non stop to pull off the impossible this quarantine: gathering twenty great artists including some of R&B’s biggest names like Stevie Wonder, PJ Morton, Eric Roberson, Avery*Sunshine, Raheem Devaughn, Leela James, Angie Fisher, Erik "Blu2th" Griggs, Naturally 7, Stanley Cooper Jr, Darien Dean, Tyrone Hendrix, Ashley Jayy, Jarrod Lawson, DJ Mal-Ski, The Phillips Kids, and Sanura , to name a few. The dream team joined forces to create a social distance music video of the remixed hit, “Flava in Your Ear” for Phillps new album, “Pulling Off The Covers”.

Originally recorded by the late Craig Mac, Phillps brings his flair to the hip hop song by mixing elements of jazz, funk, and old school hip hop elements, creating an authentic and unique sound. Rival has been bumping this masterpiece all week and the video is truly the icing on the cake. Rival fans can check out the video below and catch up with Mike Phillps for our exclusive interview for Rival Online.

INTERVIEW BY: Stephanie Fairfax

RIVAL: What motivated you to redo Flava in Ya Ear and remix it?

 PHILLPS : I wanted to take something iconic to me and put a different perspective and new colors on it. The canvas was already artistically beautiful.

RIVAL: You had some vocal powerhouses on the remix - how did you decide on
the line up and was it tough getting everyone on board?

PHILLPS: It really wasn't because the track was the seller. Once I played it and explained the concept the artists were like… “I GOT YOU...”

RIVAL: You took over DJ DNice’s IG on May 24th. How did the two of you link?

 PHILLPS: We are friends who are always in the same circle. I'm so proud of him for what he has done for the whole world during this pandemic. So when he asked me to get on his IG to do a show all he had to say was, " YOU GOT NEXT.” I had a ball and I can't wait to do it again

RIVAL: Your new album is called “Pulling off the Covers.” What can we expect from this album that’s different from your past albums?

 PHILLPS: Collaborations... and me pushing myself to enter different musical spaces. I feel free to be the artist I want to be without pressure.

RIVAL Who would you love to work with that you haven’t yet?

 PHILLPS: Dr. Dre

 RIVAL: This pandemic has thrown everyone for a loop; how have you been
dealing with the quarantine?

 PHILLPS:  I have been practicing and learning about new things like Egyptian archaeology; Harvard has a free class. I’ve also been taking advantage of the family time that I have and probably won't  have on this level ever again.

RIVAL What is the first thing you’re going to do once this quarantine is
over?

 PHILLPS Figure out how I can do a live show SAFLEY. I truly miss playing to the people.

RIVAL What should we look out for coming from you for the rest of 2020?

 PHILLPS I’m feeling great about this album but I'm getting the itch to come out with another one. Maybe Pulling Off The Covers ( Christmas Edition).