Rising Stars: Meet Phillip Cunningham Jr.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Phillip Cunningham Jr.. They and their team shared their story with us below:

Born and raised in Atlanta, GA. Grew up in church playing keys and singing in the choir. At age 7, wrote their first CD and sold it to family and friends, and founded 3 pieces, a jazz band. After playing gigs every weekend around the city of Atlanta for a few years, left traditional school to pursue music. Spent years writing and producing in Atlanta before deciding to attend the University of Southern California in 2019.

During this, took a break from music to focus on my relationship with God, mental health, and therapy. 4 years later, just graduating from USC and stepping back into music with a debut to the world as Phillip Cunningham Jr. Always went by Stan because their dad is Phillip too. Now making music again but with a greater purpose of imparting hope and healing to listeners. Super excited to start performing again. That, seeing the magic that happens when a true entertainer takes the stage, is what inspired me since I was a kid and knew I wanted to do this.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. Before stepping away from music for a couple of years, dealing with depression and substance abuse after undergoing a traumatic experience in the music industry as a child. It was the hardest decision I ever made to lay down music, but the best decision I have ever made.

It allowed me to do the inner work necessary to heal and ultimately led to a radical encounter with God that changed my life and has guided me more toward wholeness. That said, wholeness is not a destination that you reach and become done, it’s a lifelong journey, and I’m happy to say that that journey started when I laid music down.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Singer-songwriter. Musician. Producer. Written for Jonathan McReynolds, BRELAND, John Legend, Teddy Swims, Kevin Ross, and more.

Most proud of my new song “Saints and Sinners,” and upcoming release, “JOY”. Also proud of the show I will put on, and the person I am becoming. Creating a lane for myself. Explosive show. Very musical. Full of laughter, joy, dancing, tears, vulnerability, healing, and all the things.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
It’s a must. There’s no major reward from playing it safe. To do something revolutionary. To do something worth the legacy I want to leave for my kids and their kids, and this work, taking risks is a must.

One major risk: When I graduated high school, I applied to NYU Early Decision for the music business program and got accepted. It had been my dream school ever since I was 14. However, I had a feeling in my gut that I needed to move to LA. Technically, early decision acceptance is binding, and I hadn’t applied to any other schools. Correct, any other schools.

Immediately, I looked at LA schools and decided to apply to USC. However, I wouldn’t find out if I got in for another few months. I had to let NYU know what I was going to do right then. So I told them that I wanted to opt out. They allowed me to do so with no penalty. Technically, this is a major risk as I turned down one of the best universities in the country without having any other college acceptance or plan in place.

Well, I got into USC. And following that gut instinct has placed me in a city that forced me to become who I am becoming. This city forced me to heal or go off the deep end. Per my story, I’m not where I am now without what has taken place in the time I have been at USC, and none of that happens if I don’t take this risk.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whoiscunningham/?__coig_restricted=1
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/whoiscunningham
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PhillipCunninghamJr. 

Image Credits
@dingmarissal and James West