BIO
Phillip Watkis the Actor, Director,Producer, Singer and Performer more popularly known by his stage name Phil Watkis. Born in St. Ann Jamaica January 20t h. . Phil has a zest for life, he is family oriented and a lover of nature on all levels. He is a highly sociable individual who loves travelling to new places, meeting new people and learning about new cultures.
As a youth growing up Phil was always mesmerized by the sounds of music. Phil would visit the home of a elder musician friend Ronnie Dread in Vineyard Town Kgn 3 whose guitar he would strum on a regular basis under a tree. On one of these occasions he had a surreal experience where as he played and a bird gradually moved closer chirping to the melody he was playing. That in itself became a great inspiration ,the biggest conviction that music had chosen him.
In his teen years while in high school he along with his schoolmate who went on to become a dancehall sensation popularly known as Mr. Pepper would have frequent lyrical clashes which became a source of entertainment for their fellow schoolmates which offered him stage performances at school events.
Phil credits much of his early musical development to renowned producer Mikey Bennett who provided sound musical advice and guidance. Phil was encouraged to refine his talent which he did by enrolling in the Exed Performing Arts.
He charts his progress from his days of banging on the desks in class making rhythms and singing with fellow artist Jahzeal ”Mr. Pepper” Walters to his first introduction to Mikie Bennett. Which came with constructive and rewarding criticism, to his birth into the performing arts, his introduction to the guitar, to the voicing room, which led to airplay on various radio stations and then to stage shows. Phil’s mentor Mikie Bennett nurtured, directed, and helped with steering his energies in the right direction.
Phil’s releases include “Bless our Souls Jah” his first, “Know my Friends” from which he was afforded some exposure. Watkis’ music transcends all genres and he doesn’t believe that he is defined by the specifics of any particular category; his strategy is to enchant his audience with the perfect package: entertainment, life experiences, and substance.
Watkis undoubtedly has benefitted from this interaction and tutelage and is now able to prove his own unexpected talent to the industry. He has in his repertoire that has been produced by Mikie Bennett, Dean Fraser, Eloy Daron, Romel Marshall and Phil Watkis himself.
He is grateful to have performed on shows such as:
Rebel Salute - Jamaica,
Roots Home Coming Festival - Gambia, St. Mary Me Come From - Jamaica,
Aarhus Reggae festival - Denmark,
UNIFEST - USA,
Grace Jerk Fest - USA,
Landjuweel Festival - Amsterdam Netherlands,
Club Empire - Rotterdam Netherlands.
numerous appearances on the prominent Jamaican morning shows on Television Jamaica,
Phil Watkis is by no means at the acme of his career, but so far is proud of the fact that he has pursued his dreams, he feels that if he hadn’t, he would not have touched the few lives that he has. Watkis is an undeniable resource of extraordinary music which engenders love for others and for life itself which will continue to take us to new unforeseen heights. He continues to work hard and set new goals to reach his ultimate, mindful of his Grandmother’s ideology which is imprinted on his heart “This is great music and you will make it”.
Phil Watkis is also into music production , his first major production was the “Know My Friends” Rhythm which Reggae singer “Sasha And Turbulence” got a major hit song from the production with the track titled “We Got The Love “ the said rhythm made into Whitney Houston Biopic January 2015 from another track which was on the compilation Buppy Brown Ft Oba Symba “Shes Hot” .
Between 2014 and 2015, Phil has released his single entitled “Falling For You”, “Mama Struggles” , “Face The Hardest’’ and “Broken Promises’. His brand new single “Hustlers Anthem “ which was released by Vpal Music / Vp Records on June 9 / 2017 from the upcoming album “The Insurrection”. The music video of “Hustlers Anthem” is also released on ReggaeVille YouTube Channel and it’s already a big favorite.
Phil watkis and his production team Radical Roots Records (RRR) and Small Axe Music Pro is currently Gearing up for the release of the long overdue Debut Album “The Insurrection” , The Insurrection will be available early January 2018 .
Phil is very optimistic about his future in all his musical endeavors as he continues to make great lasting quality music.