1K Phew: “I Want to Be the Poster Child of Faith”
In this episode of WhatItIzWhatItBeezLike?!, host King Cyz sits down with Reach Records artist 1K Phew for an unfiltered, faith-filled conversation about leadership, authenticity, and the heartbeat behind his music. Known for bridging the gap between the streets and the church, 1K Phew opens up about his journey, his mission to pray for Atlanta, and how letting go and letting God changed everything.
Pray for Atlanta: More Than Music
When asked about the inspiration behind his powerful project Pray for Atlanta, Phew’s response was clear, it was born from pain and purpose. Atlanta was going through some dark times. The city was losing a lot of people, not just rappers but folks he came up with. He wanted to bring light to the city instead of just recognizing the dark.
For 1K Phew, Pray for Atlanta was a mission statement. He calls himself “the poster child of faith,” using his platform to represent leadership and hope in a city he loves deeply. His collaboration with producer Zaytoven, rooted in a long-time friendship, gave the project its street credibility while keeping the message centered on purpose. The project felt like a breath of fresh air, bringing life where the culture was suffocating under chaos.
Let Go and Let God: A Message for the Moment
Phew’s breakout single Let Go Let God struck a deep chord with listeners, not because it was a chart strategy, but because it was personal. That was the season he was in, and he needed to preach to himself. So often, he says, people try to control everything, but when you let God do His thing, He’ll come through bigger and better than you imagined.
That humility and honesty make Phew’s message hit different. His transparency about struggle and surrender reminds fans that faith isn’t about perfection, it’s about release.
No Church in a Wild: Lessons from Lecrae
One of the highlights of his career came through No Church in a Wild, his collaborative project with Lecrae. What started as persistence, constantly asking Lecrae to drop a project, turned into a creative breakthrough once Phew proved his readiness with undeniable tracks.
He cooked up four songs, presented them to Lecrae, and the rest was history. That experience shaped how he now pours into younger artists. Whether it’s mentoring names like 442 KJ, Barabbas, or Big Stacks, Phew’s commitment is rooted in discipleship, not clout. Each one teach one, he says. He doesn’t want to lose the next generation of artists. He wants them to know they have someone in their corner.
Faith in the Streets: Meeting People Where They Are
Throughout the interview, Phew returns to one core truth: God is the creator of cool. His main reason for doing gospel rap is to show people they can get saved and live for Christ without being corny. People just need an example.
By staying authentic and unashamed of his roots, Phew reaches people caught between two worlds. His testimony proves that you can be real about your past and still represent Christ boldly.
Family, Faith, and Stewardship
Behind the music is a husband and father still learning and growing. Married to his high school sweetheart and raising three kids, Phew says he’s learning to steward what he has and prioritize family over fame. He knows that just as God gave him his platform, He can take it away. Leadership, he says, begins at home with humility, responsibility, and a willingness to die to self.
If Not Me, Then Who?
That personal motto drives everything he does. You never know who has the same story as you, he says. It’s selfish not to share your story. If not you, then who?
For 1K Phew, purpose is about using his platform to point people to Christ, especially those who feel like the church isn’t for them. Jesus is for everybody. He reminds listeners that church is like free therapy, you can’t keep running on empty. You’ve got to fill up.
Final Word
As the episode closes, King Cyz sums up what everyone listening already feels — this conversation wasn’t just an interview, it was ministry. 1K Phew’s mix of wisdom, humor, and raw honesty reminds us that the gospel still hits hardest when it’s real.
Gospel rap is back, and with artists like 1K Phew leading with love, it’s clear the culture’s in good hands.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Introduction and Philly vs. Atlanta banter
01:30 – King Cyz welcomes 1K Phew to the show
02:10 – The heart behind Pray for Atlanta and bringing light to the city
03:40 – The impact of Zaytoven and street credibility through faith
04:20 – How Let Go Let God became a personal anthem
05:50 – Lessons from Lecrae and the making of No Church in a Wild
07:30 – Mentorship and pouring into the next generation of artists
08:50 – Balancing faith, authenticity, and influence in the streets
10:15 – The importance of community, discipleship, and unity in CHH
12:00 – Building relationships over clout and learning from KB
13:30 – Family life, marriage, and learning to steward what God gives
15:00 – Leadership, maturity, and dying to self
16:00 – Living out the motto: “If not me, then who?”
17:20 – Why church matters and finding strength in community
19:30 – Final thoughts: faith, culture, and staying true to purpose
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