Derek R. Phillips a.k.a El Bwoy was born on Aug. 28, 1984 in Panama City, Panama. His family originated from St. James, Barbados and St. Mary, Jamaica who lived in Calle 13 Rio Abajo, Panama. The area was mostly populated by West Indians, due to the construction of the Panama Canal. Growing up with a West Indian background and learning about his West Indian culture, he started to show interest for reggae music. El Bwoy at the age of four started to introduce himself to the reggae community after performing his first reggae carnival in 1988. During that time, artists that control the airwaves in Panama were Nando Boom, Chicho Man, El General and Renato. In 1991, he moved with his family to Brooklyn, New York which brought him closer to his uncle Mikey(El General manager) and his four uncles Guillermo, Ricardo,(El General dancers for the video “Muevelo”) Pio and Jeffrey(El General bodyguards.) Being around them and also having Rigo Man and Killa Ranks as a close friends to the family he learned more about reggae music. He liked the attention that reggae brought to the community. At the age of nine he performed in Madison Square Garden for a teenage talent show. During 1997-2000, he and his grandfather (Oswaldo Phillips) grew very close. In 2000 his grandfather died. He remembered about a month before his death, his grandfather asked him, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” He told him He wanted to be the next "El General." His grandfather replied, “You can be anything you want to be as long as you work hard and stay committed to it.” His death had a big impact on him. After that, he was very determined. He took his music dream very serious. In 2002, Germaine Brown (a Jamaican producer) heard one of his songs. He liked the song and took him to 90.1fm New York where he met Massapan and Kibret. That day was the first time his music was played and was highlighted as an upcoming artist from Panama. After that, Massapan helped him get to where he is now. He guided him and introduced him into the right people. In 2003, he came out on two riddims from Jamaica called China Claw by Ajah Ent. and Red Bull by Award1 Ent. It was an opportunity for him to show his talent and come out on the same riddim as Elephant Man, Bounty Killa, Vybz Kartel, Sizzla, Capleton, T.O.K and many more. In 2004, El Bwoy returned to his homeland Panama to continue his quest with his hit song “Big Fire.” His different style of rapping captivates his audience thus proving his ability to stay strong in this market. He recorded a jingle for 98.3fm LamegaPanama with Suppose, Scaredem Fish, Phanatic Boy & the Blast. He does several performances and gets interviewed in Panama top radio stations 98.3fm Lamega & 90.5fm SuperQ. El Bwoy does collaboration with Dominik on a various artist cd called “Jamaica Bajo Cero” from 98.3fm Lamega called “Donde tan la guiales sexy.”In 2005, He recorded in "All Access Reggaeton DVD" with artists from Puerto Rico and one of Panama top female artist TannyD. Ending the year 2005, he does collaboration with More Fire Clan from Dedtune Musik called “Combination in action.”