It’s Thursday night and Commonwealth is bursting at the seams, all for Phil Adé’s newly released album, “The Letterman”.

Commonwealth, a specialty boutique in Washington, D.C. known for its selection of new and established urban apparel brands, is hosting one of many album release parties for Maryland rapper/singer Phil Adé. The store is jammed packed with people anxiously waiting Phil Adé’s performance.

21 year old Phil Adé, born Philip Adetumbi, started his career in the church singing in the choir which later evolved into singing in a local Go-Go band where he discovered  his talent and passion for rapping. Although his parents had strong educational goals for their son, Phil took to studying the Greats of the industry from Jay-Z to Lil’ Wayne to The Notorious B.I.G.

After grinding it out and building a strong reputation and following, Phil Adé met Tennyson “T” Richards and his close friend Raheem Devaughn. Both were immediately impressed by Phil’s presence and talent and was signed to 368 Music Group. From there the rest is history.

Phil Adé released his first project in the Summer of 2009, “Starting on JV.” The mix tape is a reflection of him as a rapper trying to make it to the big leagues and paying respects to the varsity heavy hitters in the rap game.

In 2010, Phil Adé followed up his debut mix tape with his next project, “The Letterman”. The sophomore project is Phil Adé taking his talent to the next level. The mix tape uses lyrical imagery to compare basketball toan artist moving up the ranks of the music industry. The project includes features by Tabi Boney, Raheem Devauhn, Raekwon and Wale to name a few. This project shows progression and maturity that has definitely earned Phil Adé his “Letterman” jacket in the rap sport.

The crowd rushes the stage as soon as they hear the distinct voice of Phil Adé. With signature jean jacket, Phil Adé dashes from back stage to the forefront to greet his fans with his new songs straight from the celebrated “The Letterman”.

With crowd appeal, a strong presence and most importantly, tight verses it’s clear that JV is far behind Phil Adé; and even though he is currently playing Varsity, he will soon be vying for rap’s equivalent to the NCAA Championship.