Phor Brumfield is a lot more than just a guy with a tattoo gun on a reality show. If you've spent any time watching Black Ink Crew: Chicago, you know the vibe. It’s loud, it’s dramatic, and sometimes it feels like the tattoos are just background noise to the latest argument at 9Mag. But honestly, Phor—or Corey "Phor" Robinson, depending on how formal you want to get—broke the mold of the "reality TV star" a long time ago.
He didn't just stumble into the spotlight.
Phor was a South Side kid who was customizing Nikes and making shirts way before VH1 cameras showed up. He basically forced his way into the creative scene through sheer hustle. Most people see the flashy jewelry or hear the music and think it was an overnight success story. It wasn't. It was basement tattoos and garage setups.
The Truth About Phor Black Ink Chicago and the 9Mag Era
Let’s be real for a second. The 9Mag shop was lightning in a bottle. You had Ryan Henry, Van, and Phor—three Black artists in a city where "scratchers" (the guys who don't know what they're doing) were the stereotype. They proved they could actually hold their own against anyone.
Phor wasn't even looking to be a tattoo artist initially. He was bored on New Year's Day about ten years ago when his brother, Don, told him to try tattooing him. His brother played basketball, and back then, everybody wanted to look like a pro on the court. That one "why not?" moment turned into a career.
But here is the thing: Phor never wanted tattooing to be his only lane.
While the show focused on the drama between him and his exes like Kat or Nikki, Phor was quietly trying to build a music empire. He calls himself a "multidimensional creative," which sounds a bit corporate, but for him, it’s just the truth. He’s a rapper who tattoos to pay the bills, not the other way around.
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Why His Music Actually Matters
Music isn't a hobby for Phor. It’s his lifeline.
When he released "Chi-Town" back in 2017, it wasn't just another song from a reality star. It became a legitimate anthem for the city. Think about the remix—he had Twista, Lil Durk, and Bump J on that track. You don't get those names just because you’re on VH1. You get them because the music is actually good.
- Chi-Town: The quintessential Chicago anthem.
- Cardio: A track that sounds like a gym banger but is actually about mental health.
- Sometimes I Wanna: A vulnerable look at his internal struggles.
- Comfy: His "quarantine" record that kept fans sane during the lockdowns.
Honestly, "Cardio" is a great example of how he subverts expectations. You hear the beat and think it’s just about the Stairmaster. Then you listen to the lyrics and realize he’s talking about running away from his own thoughts.
The Mental Health Conversation Nobody Saw Coming
In 2019, something happened that changed the way people viewed Phor. He had a very public mental health crisis on camera. We're talking suicidal ideation and deep depression played out for millions.
Usually, reality TV edits that stuff to look like "drama."
But this felt different. It was raw. Phor later admitted he was "trying to thug it out" while filming, but the voices in his head got too loud. Instead of hiding, he took three months off, went to therapy, and then gave VH1 the green light to show it all.
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He didn't do it for ratings. He did it because he knew Black men in Chicago—and everywhere else—were dealing with the same "sustained traumatic stress reaction." In a city where you might go to two funerals in one day, "numbness" becomes a survival tactic. Phor decided to stop being numb.
Breaking the "Alpha" Stereotype
The hip-hop and tattoo worlds are notoriously hyper-masculine. Phor being a "Rock Star" (his own words) while admitting he felt weak was a massive shift. He’s been open about how growing up without his father forced him to be the man of the house too early.
He was a little boy with a grown man’s responsibility.
That kind of pressure doesn't just go away when you get famous. It just gets heavier. By launching his "Self Love" series and projects like the Self Love album, he’s trying to tell the "shorties" on the South Side that there’s more to life than proving how tough you are.
Where Is Phor Now?
It’s 2026, and the landscape has shifted. While the original Black Ink Crew: Chicago ended its initial run on VH1 years ago, Phor hasn't faded into "where are they now" territory.
He’s still a mainstay in the tattoo world, but his focus has drifted toward mentorship. There’s been talk for a while about him starting a tattoo school to help younger artists get licensed and out of the "basement" phase.
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And then there's his son.
If you followed the later seasons, you saw the heartbreak of his son moving to Atlanta with Nina. That’s been a huge part of his recent journey—balancing being a father from a distance while keeping his roots in Chicago. He’s still "Chi-Town" to the core, but he’s matured past the 9Mag club-hopping days.
What You Can Learn From His Story
If you’re looking at Phor’s journey and wondering how to apply it to your own life, it’s basically about diversification.
- Don't stay in one box. Phor was a shoe designer, then a tattoo artist, then a rapper, then a TV star. He used each one to fuel the next.
- Vulnerability is a tool, not a weakness. His most successful moments didn't come from acting like a tough guy; they came from him being honest about his depression.
- Hustle is quiet. The best work happens when the cameras aren't rolling.
Phor Brumfield is proof that you can come from the South Side, survive the "meat grinder" of reality television, and still come out the other side with your soul intact. He’s still a rock star. He’s just a rock star who actually likes himself now.
To keep up with his latest moves, you'll want to watch his independent music releases on YouTube or catch his guest spots at tattoo conventions. He’s no longer just a character on a screen; he’s a brand that’s built to last.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Listen to "Self Love" (the album): If you want to understand his mental state during the height of his fame, this is the blueprint.
- Support Local Chicago Artists: Phor always shouts out the guys still in the shops. Check out the current roster at 9Mag or 2nd City Ink to see the next generation.
- Prioritize Your Mental Health: If Phor’s story resonated with you, look into resources like "Half of Us" or local Chicago initiatives like "Coffee, Hip-Hop and Mental Health."
Ultimately, Phor Black Ink Chicago represents a specific era of TV, but the man himself is onto something much bigger. He’s a reminder that you can always rewrite your own script. No matter who's holding the camera.