What’s Detroit’s hip-hop scene without Peezy, the influential Detroit rapper? The man born Phillip Glen-Earl Peaks—the real name of Peezy, Detroit rapper—has built a legacy that stretches far beyond his singles and mixtapes. From east side struggles to mainstream success, Peezy’s journey offers a masterclass in authentic artistry and business savvy that rivals even established stars like Jimmy Butler.
Let’s break down how this Team Eastside founder became central to Detroit’s rap renaissance while building a million-dollar empire.
Who Is Peezy?
Born November 5, 1991, Peezy’s age places him among the seasoned Detroit rappers at 33 as of 2024, on Detroit’s east side, Peezy—often searched as “Peezy Detroit rapper wiki”—Peezy (Phillip Glen-Earl Peaks) has transformed from local talent to industry mogul. He’s earned his stripes as a rapper, songwriter, investor, and record label founder who stands at the center of Detroit’s hip-hop revival.
Known professionally as “Team Eastside Peezy,” he’s sometimes confused with OMB Peezy, another Southern rapper who came out in the mid-2010s,” he’s become the authentic voice of Detroit street rap culture. His laconic delivery style, paired with gritty street narratives, has built him a reputation as “the Godfather of his city’s buzzing rap scene.”
His influence reaches beyond music into entrepreneurship through Boyz Entertainment Record Label and community projects that give back to his neighborhood.
The Rise From Detroit’s East Side
Peezy’s Detroit roots run deep. Born and raised on the east side of the city, his upbringing shaped both his worldview and artistic expression. This area has produced numerous rap talents, connecting Peezy to a rich tradition of Detroit hip-hop spanning generations.
So where did Peezy grow up? His childhood wasn’t smooth sailing. After his parents separated, he experienced life on both sides of Detroit – his mother from the east side, his father from the west. This split exposed him to different neighborhood cultures across the city, broadening his perspective on Detroit’s social dynamics.
Education proved challenging for young Peezy. After getting expelled from middle school, he attended Cadillac Middle School on Detroit’s east side. Later, a house fire forced him to relocate to his father’s home, where he briefly attended Cooley High School before receiving a four-month suspension. Though his academic path was rocky, his time at Cooley sparked something crucial – it’s where he first started rapping, drawing inspiration from icons like Dipset, Jay-Z, and DMX.
Peezy Rapper Career Breakthrough
Peezy’s professional journey spans multiple roles in entertainment. Beyond rapping, he’s established himself as a label owner, investor, and community leader. His career trajectory shows a smart evolution from local Detroit talent to a nationally recognized artist.
As a founding member of Detroit’s legendary Team Eastside collective, alongside artists like Babyface Ray and Damedot, Peezy helped create the foundation for Detroit street rap’s current global recognition. The collective’s model of mutual support, while allowing individual artistic development, has been studied by other regional scenes looking to achieve similar success.
His business acumen shines through his founding of Boyz Entertainment Record Label, positioning him as both artist and executive. This dual role gives him creative control while building platforms for emerging Detroit talent.
“2 Million Up”: The Hit That Changed Everything
Peezy’s career-defining moment came with “2 Million Up,” which achieved remarkable commercial success with over 125 million streams and peaked at No. 8 on Billboard’s Hip-Hop Chart. This summer anthem represents his first mainstream hit and demonstrates his ability to create music that reaches well beyond Detroit.
What makes the track particularly significant is its sample of Dennis Edwards’ “Don’t Look Any Further,” the same sample used in Eric B. & Rakim’s classic “Paid In Full,” connecting Peezy’s work to hip-hop’s foundational history.
At 47 million YouTube views and growing, “2 Million Up” remains one of the top Peezy songs, the track continues generating significant engagement and streaming revenue. This success has been complemented by his collaborative work and his role in Team Eastside’s collective achievements.
Legal Challenges
Peezy’s path hasn’t been without obstacles. His career faced significant disruption through legal troubles, most notably federal charges related to the 6 Mile Chedda Grove gang. In 2016, he was charged with racketeering conspiracy as part of a federal investigation into the gang, which authorities described as “responsible for homicides, assaults, robberies and trafficking in firearms and drugs on Detroit’s east side.”
He ultimately served an 18-month federal sentence before being released in February 2021. Shortly after his release, more trouble followed when he was attacked by armed men in Rochester Hills, resulting in arrests and ongoing legal proceedings.
These challenges created both obstacles and credibility for his artistic career. His experiences with the justice system informed his music while temporarily disrupting his momentum. However, his ability to rebuild following these setbacks demonstrates remarkable resilience.
Recent Projects
Peezy continues evolving as an artist while maintaining relevance in the rapidly changing hip-hop landscape. His 2023 album “Ghetto” was released on October 10 via EMPIRE, featuring standout singles showcasing his range and collaborative abilities.
The album includes notable tracks like “No Amiris” featuring Key Glock, “Fashion Week” with Larry June and Money Man, and “Psilocybin” featuring fellow Detroit artist BabyTron.
His 2024 project “Small Town Ghetto” continues exploring Detroit street narratives while demonstrating artistic growth. The release includes compelling tracks like “Same Type” and “Detox,” maintaining his signature style while incorporating contemporary production elements.
Business Ventures
Peezy Rapper Net Worth: Estimates vary across sources, reflecting the challenge of accurately assessing wealth for independent artists with diverse income streams. Recent estimates place his net worth at approximately $1 million as of 2024, though figures range from $330,000 to $5 million depending on the source. While impressive, his current earnings still lag behind industry veterans like Adam Thielen and others who’ve diversified their income streams extensively.
His wealth comes primarily from music revenue, helping fuel the estimated Peezy rapper net worth mentioned above (streaming, performances) and his record label. The success of “2 Million Up” significantly boosted his earning potential with its 125+ million streams representing substantial revenue.
Analyzing his financial growth trajectory shows steady increases:
- 2020: Approximately $330,000
- 2021: Estimated $400,000-500,000
- 2022: Approximately $600,000-700,000
- 2023: Estimated $800,000-900,000 (driven by “2 Million Up” success)
- 2024: Approximately $1 million
- 2025: Projected $1.2-1.5 million
This pattern demonstrates sustainable wealth building rather than unsustainable gains, suggesting prudent financial management alongside artistic development.
Hip-Hop Renaissance
Peezy’s impact on Detroit’s hip-hop scene extends far beyond his contributions, positioning him as a central figure in the city’s musical renaissance. His role in unifying Detroit’s hip-hop community raises the question: Who is the most famous rapper from Detroit? While names like Eminem dominate globally, Peezy’s local impact can’t be overstated, working with various groups to elevate the entire scene, demonstrates leadership that transcends individual success.
His approach to authentic storytelling and his recognizable persona—including Peezy rapper height (approximately 5’10”)—have made him a standout figure has become a hallmark of contemporary Detroit rap. His detailed street narratives and “icy, unaffected, and cool demeanor” have established a template that newer artists study and emulate.
Career Path
Peezy’s career trajectory offers valuable lessons for emerging artists seeking sustainable careers in hip-hop:
- Authentic storytelling trumps manufactured personas – His genuine voice connected with audiences far more effectively than any marketing campaign could.
- Resilience through legal challenges – His ability to rebuild after significant setbacks shows the power of perseverance.
- Business diversification creates stability – From record label ownership to real estate investments, his varied income streams provide security beyond music earnings.
- Collaborative success elevates everyone – Team Eastside’s model proves that lifting others creates more opportunities for all involved.
- Mainstream success doesn’t require compromising identity – His commercial breakthrough with “2 Million Up” came without sacrificing his authentic artistic voice.
What’s Next For Peezy?
With his continued artistic evolution and expanding business ventures, Peezy’s influence seems poised to grow further. His journey from Detroit’s east side to industry success represents the transformation of the city’s rap scene from regional phenomenon to global influence.
Through Team Eastside’s collective achievements and his business ventures, Peezy has helped establish Detroit as a permanent fixture in hip-hop’s landscape. His story provides both inspiration and practical guidance for artists navigating the challenge of maintaining authenticity while achieving commercial success.
For fans of Detroit hip-hop or anyone interested in the business of music, Peezy’s career offers a fascinating case study in turning raw talent and street credibility into lasting industry impact, joining the ranks of other self-made success stories like Scott Cawthon and others who’ve built their fortunes through creative endeavors.
Have you checked out Peezy’s music? Which track first put him on your radar?
