With musical interests spanning Classical, Jazz, West African, Hip Hop, Reggae, House and R&B, New York native Shayshahn MacPherson has redefined what it means to be a contemporary artist. Combining his skills as a violinist, DJ, MC and producer, MacPherson (also known as PhearNone) seamlessly blends his instrument and lyrical ability to create a sound that is soulful, traverses genres and is distinctly his own.
Influences & Education
MacPherson’s musical evolution is shaped by his grandfather, a big band saxophonist, his Caribbean roots and his early exposure to cross-cultural music. Born and raised in The Bronx, NY, he began playing viola in elementary school. His talent earned him spots on both the Bronx Borough-Wide Orchestra & City-Wide Orchestra. MacPherson later attended Harlem School of the Arts, where he continued to hone his skills before being accepted into the Music Program at The University of Massachusetts Amherst. After college, he further developed his skills as a writer and MC as both a solo act and member of a number of groups including Planet Ubiquity & 7FN.
Experience & Accomplishments
MacPherson has performed as a musician and lyricist across the country and around the world. His musical achievements span from youth, with feature performances at Carnegie Hall at the age of 12, to more recent appearances on violin on Wu-Tang Clan’s “The Final Chamber” tour. He is also violinist, keyboardist and lyricist for the Phunky Nomads band who often back Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA on tour. PhearNone has had in-studio and onstage collaborations with musical greats like Stevie Wonder, Big Daddy Kane, Roy Ayers, Erykah Badu, Rahzel, Kota the Friend & Lettuce and has an Emmy under his belt for composition and string play on the collaboration entitled Vote. Receiving high praise in reviews, including The Washington Times, MacPherson’s artistry has been dubbed “‘evocative,’ ‘infectious,’ ‘regal,’ and ‘popularly contemporary.’”
MacPherson continues to play and record music across genres where he often distinguishes his violinist persona, Shayshahn MacPherson, from the hip-hop alter ego as lyricist PhearNone. His releases include debut album 7FN Live in 2018, a fusion of hip-hop and jazz with live instrumentation. He then released a studio version of the album, 7FN, in 2019, adding reggae & rock elements. His most recent album, “PhearNone’s String Theory – Dance” (2025) includes upbeat instrumental violin covers spanning everything from soul to Afrobeat to reggaeton. He can be heard on recently released Phunky Nomads recordings including “Born & Raised” (2025) and “In The Sky” (2024) as well as Kota the Friend & Statik Selektah’s “Once In A Blue Moon” album.
A true musician, MacPherson also plays West African drums (djembe & dun dun), the keyboard and guitar. His passion for the arts also extends outside of music into theater and acting, where he has appeared in several plays for the Classical Theater of Harlem and other companies, as well as music videos, television commercials and films.
