Peezy

An influential Detroit rapper and hip-hop artist, Peezy, born Phillip Glen-Earl Peaks, rose to prominence in the early 2010s as part of the Motor City’s Team Eastside rap collective. Known for his defiant lyrics and abrasive flow, Peezy began making waves as a solo artist in 2015 with the release of his third album, Mud Sweat & Tears. The following year saw him arrested on racketeering and conspiracy charges, but that didn’t stop him from releasing a new mixtape, the aptly named Ballin Ain’t a Crime, in early 2017. That year, he issued a further trio of mixtapes: People’s Champ, Winter Grind, and Ghetto Wave. He kicked off 2018 with the No Hooks mixtape, with No Hooks 2 and Royalty One appearing the following year. In 2020, Peezy teamed up with Payroll Giovanni, from Detroit West Side rap crew Doughboyz Cashout, on Ghetto Rich Niggaz – Ballin Ain't a Crime 2 appeared later that year. Peezy launched 2021 with “Build a Bear” (feat. Pooh Beatz) and finished off the year with the full-length Free Rio. He continued his hot streak in 2022 with Only Built 4 Diamond Links. ~ James Christopher Monger