nobigdyl.
Biography
Dylan Phillips, known professionally as nobigdyl., is an American Christian hip-hop artist, songwriter, and record producer. He was born on November 23, 1991, in Hayward, California, and later moved to Bell Buckle, Tennessee at the age of nine. His musical style is characterized by a blend of various genres including trap, jazz, and golden era hip-hop, with lyrics that often explore themes of faith, love, and personal struggles from a place of transparency and honesty.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
From a young age, Phillips was involved in theater and performing arts. His uncle, a jazz drummer, introduced him to a wide range of music, which sparked his interest in hip-hop. He began writing his own raps and was a fan of artists like The Notorious B.I.G. and Onyx. During his teenage years, his passion expanded to include music production. Phillips attended Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), initially studying audio production before switching to the music business. It was at MTSU that he began to take his Christian faith more seriously. While in college, he was part of a hip-hop group called Southside Epidemic and a folk-rap act named Broken Folk.
Career
Phillips' career in the music industry began with an internship at Reflection Music Group, which led to a position as a merchandise manager and eventually the road manager for Christian rap artist Derek Minor. Minor recognized Phillips' talent and encouraged him to pursue his own music by firing him from his road manager position, believing the safety net was holding him back. This pivotal moment propelled Phillips to focus on his career as nobigdyl..
His debut project, "smoke signal.", was released in 2015, followed by the "Summer Camp Sessions" EP. In 2017, he released his debut album, "Canopy," which featured the popular singles "Purple Dinosaur" and "Treetops." The album's success as an independent release, reaching No. 7 on the iTunes hip-hop charts, garnered significant attention. In 2018, he signed with Capitol Christian Music Group and released his major-label debut, "SOLAR," which landed on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart.
nobigdyl. is also a founding member of the musical collective Indie Tribe, alongside artists like WHATUPRG, Mogli The Iceburg, and Jarry Manna. He has received a Dove Award for his collaboration with KB on the song "King Jesus" and has been recognized by former President Barack Obama, who included his music on a playlist.
Musical Style and Lyrical Themes
nobigdyl.'s music is known for its concept-driven lyrics and eclectic production. He is a storyteller at heart, with his lyrics often serving as a memoir, wrestling with concepts of faith, ego, love, and loss. He aims to bring transparency and meaningful content to the forefront of hip-hop, often addressing his own personal experiences and struggles. His sound is diverse, pulling from various influences to create a unique blend that is both introspective and hard-hitting.