Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 20, 2026

Phony Ppl

Phony Ppl is a musical group based in Brooklyn, New York. Originally founded in 2008 with five members, the current members are Elbee Thrie (vocals), Elijah Rawk, Matt "Maffyuu" Byas (drums), Aja Grant (keyboard), and Bari Bass.

Last revised
Jul 20, 2026
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≈ 3 min
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Wikipedia ↗
Phony Ppl
OriginBrooklyn, New York, U.S.
GenresHip hop, R&B,1 neo soul2 progressive soul, art rock3
Years active2010–present
Members
  • Bari Bass
  • Matt "Maffyuu" Byas
  • Aja Grant
  • Elijah Rawk
  • Elbee Thrie
Past members
Websitephonyppl.com

Phony Ppl is a musical group based in Brooklyn, New York. Originally founded in 20087 with five members, the current members are Elbee Thrie (vocals), Elijah Rawk (lead guitar), Matt "Maffyuu" Byas (drums), Aja Grant (keyboard), and Bari Bass (bass guitar).8

Background

Members of Phony Ppl met in high school. Elbee (Robert Booker) and Aja first formed the group, with Dyme-A-Duzin (Donnovan Blocker), Bari Bass (Omar Grant), Elijah Rawk, Ian Bakerman, Temi O, Maffyuu, and Sheriff PJ joining later.9 In 2012, they released the album Phonyland.5

In January 2015, they released the album Yesterday's Tomorrow. The album peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Heatseekers Album chart.10 It also peaked at number 15 on the Trending 140 chart and at number 7 on the Emerging Artists chart.11 They released the single "This Must Be Heaven" in November 2016.12 They made their first television appearance on June 9, 2015, on Jimmy Kimmel Live! performing "Trap Queen" with Fetty Wap.13

In October 2018, they released the single "Something About Your Love" (stylized as "somethinG about your love."). Their album mō’zā-ik. was released on October 19, 2018.14 In January 2020, the group released "Fkn Around" with Megan Thee Stallion;15 their solo version was released in May.16 In November, they released the single "On My Shit" with Joey Badass.17

On November 18, 2022, the group released a new album titled Euphonyus. The album featured artists and production from JoJo, Kaytranada, Leon Thomas, and Domo Genesis.18

Discography

Singles

Title Year Album
"Christmastime is here"19 2023 Non-album single
"Fkn Around" (feat. Megan Thee Stallion) 2020 Non-album single
"Way Too Far." 2018 mō’zā-ik.
"Before You Get a Boyfriend."

Albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
U.S. Heatseekers
10
WTF Is Phonyland? -
Phonyland
  • Released: January 17, 2012
  • Label: Phony Ppl LLC
  • Format: Digital download
 -
nothinG special
  • Released: July 17, 2012
  • Label: Phony Ppl LLC
  • Format: Digital download
 -
53,000.
  • Released: July 26, 2013
  • Label: Phony Ppl LLC
  • Format: Digital download
 -
Yesterday's Tomorrow
  • Released: January 13, 201520
  • Label: Phony Ppl LLC
  • Format: Digital download
 24
mō’zā-ik.
  • Released: October 19, 2018
  • Label: 300 Entertainment
  • Format: Digital download and physical
 -
Euphonyus -
References

References

  1. Fricke, David. "15 Great Albums You Didn't Hear in 2016". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  2. Sacher, Andrew. "Phony Ppl playing 2 NYC shows (one free, one with Prodigy of Mobb Deep) & more". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  3. Fricke, David (October 18, 2018). "Phony Ppl: Rise of a Progressive Soul Force". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  4. Legendre, Raymond (September 10, 2015). "Phony Ppl Talk Kimmel, T-Pain and Who They Are Not - Mixologi". Mixologi. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  5. "Phony Ppl's Nine Lives - Mass Appeal". Mass Appeal. March 30, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  6. "Phony PPL | Music Artists on Indie Accent".
  7. "Blue Note PHONY PPL feat. SPECIAL GUESTS MAX & CHRIS TURNER - 2016-04-13". www.bluenotejazz.com. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  8. Shaw-Faber, Levi. "Phony Ppl: The Most Famous Band You've Never Heard Of". Not Mad. Archived from the original on August 12, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  9. "Phony Ppl, Real Talk: An Interview with the New York Collective + Video & Free Download | AFROPUNK". AFROPUNK. November 11, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  10. "Phony Ppl Yesterday's Tomorrow Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  11. Roberts, Randall (January 16, 2015). "Social media buzz the new barometer of a hit". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  12. Bundy, Will. "Hear Phony Ppl's Sunny New Single "This Must Be Heaven"". The FADER. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  13. "Fetty Wap & Phony Ppl - Trap Queen + My Way (Live On Jimmy Kimmel)". ILLROOTS. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  14. "Phony PPL 'Mozaik' Album: Listen to 11 New Songs - XXL".
  15. Madden, Sidney (January 31, 2020). "Phony Ppl Enlists Megan Thee Stallion For Raunchy And Hilarious 'Fkn Around'". NPR.org. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  16. "Fkn Around - Single by Phony Ppl". Apple Music. May 8, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  17. "Phony Ppl & Joey Badass Join Forces For "On My Shit" [New Single + Music Video]". RESPECT. November 13, 2020. Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  18. "Phony PPL Releases Eagerly Awaited Third Studio Album 'Euphonyus'".
  19. "Christmastime is hereby Phony Ppl". Spotify. November 3, 2023.
  20. "Yesterday's Tomorrow by Phony Ppl". iTunes. January 13, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
External links