Originally from San Diego, California, Phabo grew up moving around. At eight, he recalls moving to St. Petersburg, Florida with his father, mother, and younger sister. Even with the moves, he was always active in the church mainly because his grandfather and uncles were pastors. Instrument lessons also consumed him even though he feels they never really stuck, he studied the piano, drums and even the guitar. But, all of these lessons were short lived since, he admits, he was a bit scatterbrained.