We were lucky to catch up with Tyreek Phillips recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tyreek, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

My entire creative journey actually started because of an unexpected problem—one that completely changed the course of my life. Growing up in Toronto, football was everything to me. I started playing at a young age and dedicated myself fully to becoming a professional player. From the time I was 8 until I was 21, that was my sole focus.

In high school, my hard work paid off—I earned the opportunity to play in the U.S. and eventually received a scholarship to a D1 university, Furman. My freshman year was a dream come true. I was named an All-American and an All-Conference player, and everything seemed to be falling into place. I truly believed I was on my way to making my dream a reality.

Then, out of nowhere, everything was taken away.

During my sophomore year, I had a routine procedure for ulcers. But during that process, doctors discovered I had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart disease that made it too dangerous for me to continue playing. Just like that, my football career was over. There was no fighting it, no coming back from it. The thing I had worked my entire life for was gone.
I fell into a dark place, struggling with anxiety and depression. I didn’t know who I was without football. But in that uncertainty, I turned to music. At first, it was just a way to cope—a way to get my frustrations out in a healthy way. But the more I created, the more I realized that my music wasn’t just helping me—it was resonating with others who were going through their own struggles. That’s when it clicked: music had the power to heal, to connect, to lift people up.

So instead of feeling like I had lost everything, I saw that I had been given a new purpose. My unexpected problem became the foundation of my creative journey. Now, I make music to help others push through their own unexpected struggles—just like music helped me.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

B1GJuice: Turning Pain into Power Through Music
My name is Tyreek Phillips, but most people know me as B1GJuice—an award-winning producer, soul-hop artist, and creative director. My journey into music wasn’t just about passion—it was about survival.

I grew up in Toronto with one goal: to become a professional football player. From the time I was 8 years old, I dedicated my life to the sport. I worked hard, earned my way to the U.S., and secured a D1 scholarship to Furman University. My freshman year, I was named an All-American and All-Conference player. Everything was falling into place.

Then, in my sophomore year, everything changed.

During a routine procedure for ulcers, doctors discovered I had Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy—a heart condition that made it too dangerous for me to continue playing football. In an instant, my dream was gone. No amount of hard work or perseverance could change the reality of that diagnosis. I felt lost.

Finding My Voice Through Music
Music became my therapy. At first, it was just a way to get out my frustrations, but it quickly became so much more. I realized that the music I was creating wasn’t just helping me—it was resonating with others who were going through their own struggles. That’s when I knew I had found my new purpose.

Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to creating music that speaks to resilience, mental health, and the grind it takes to overcome adversity. I combine raw storytelling with hard-hitting lyricism, blending hip-hop with soulful melodies to create something I call “soul-hop.”

I’ve had the honor of performing on some of Canada’s biggest stages, including Budweiser Stage (Manifesto Festival 2022) and Massey Hall (Young Street Renaissance 2024). My work has been covered in Dominionated, Toronto Life, and other publications, and I’ve received funding from FACTOR Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, the City of Toronto, and the Ontario Arts Council to support my projects.

More Than Music—A Mission
Beyond my own music, I’m passionate about empowering BIPOC artists and marginalized youth. As Head of Programming for Studio 145 Cooperative, I mentor young creatives, helping them find career paths in the arts and entertainment industries. I know what it’s like to have a dream, to fight for it, and to face unexpected roadblocks. I want to be the support system for others that I wish I had when I was navigating my own challenges.

BitterJuice: Pushing Boundaries
In addition to my solo career, I’m one-half of BitterJuice, a musical collective with Bitter&Broke. Together, we fuse hip-hop, alternative soul, jazz, and funk, creating a sound that’s as genre-bending as it is emotionally raw. Whether I’m performing solo or with my band, I bring everything I have to the stage.

What I Want People to Know
At the end of the day, my music is bigger than me. It’s for anyone who’s ever had to fight for something, lost it, and found the strength to rebuild. It’s for those navigating mental health struggles, self-doubt, and the everyday grind of chasing a dream.

“My goal isn’t just to make music—it’s to inspire, to connect, and to be a voice for those who feel unheard. I create because I know what it’s like to feel lost, and I want my music to be a light for anyone going through their own darkness.”

Being recognized for my work isn’t just about my success—it’s about giving me the resources to keep creating, keep mentoring, and keep pushing boundaries. Every song, every performance, every mentorship session is part of something bigger: a movement of resilience, creativity, and empowerment.

If you’re looking for music that hits the mind, the heart, and the soul, I hope you’ll take a listen. This is B1GJuice.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

As a football player, I was trained to read and react—fast. There was no time for hesitation. Whether it was making a play, adjusting to an opponent, or dealing with setbacks, I learned to move aggressively and trust my instincts. That mindset served me well on the field, but when I transitioned into the music industry, I quickly realized that not everything in life requires a split-second reaction.

At first, I approached my music career the same way I approached football—quick decisions, fast moves, and an all-or-nothing mentality. But I learned the hard way that in this industry, acting too fast can sometimes lead to the wrong choices. Whether it was taking on opportunities that weren’t right for me, responding emotionally to setbacks, or making decisions before fully thinking them through, I saw how impulsiveness could burn bridges and create unnecessary obstacles.

Over time, I had to unlearn that instinct to always react immediately. I learned that sometimes, the best move is to pause, analyze, and approach situations with patience and empathy. Not every opportunity needs to be chased, not every setback requires an immediate response, and not every battle is worth fighting.

Now, I move differently. I take my time, trust the process, and make decisions with clarity rather than urgency. Football taught me to act fast, but life taught me that sometimes, the best plays happen when you step back, see the full picture, and move with intention.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is the one-on-one conversations I have with both new and longtime fans. Whether someone tells me, “Your music makes me want to fight,” or simply says they enjoyed a song or performance, it means everything—because it means I was able to connect with and impact someone.

At the core of my music, my goal has always been to reach people who need support or motivation—to remind them to keep pushing, keep fighting for what they want, and keep going while they can. Knowing that my music can provide that extra push, that moment of understanding, or that feeling of not being alone is what makes this journey worthwhile.

Whether it’s through social media interactions, a conversation after a show, or a heartfelt message from a listener, those genuine connections are what fuel me. Music is more than just a creative outlet—it’s my way of being a supporter, a motivator, and a voice for those who need it most.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.whogotdajuice.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b1gjuice/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/B1GJuice/
• Twitter: https://x.com/B1GJuice905
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHXhiTM5wwEs7sdZ1XjclZw

Image Credits

Tyler Roussel & VisualsByShan