Who is Phoenix Guerrero?
Phoenix Guerrero was born in Houston, Texas, in 1997. He grew up feeling like he didn’t quite fit into traditional molds, and from a young age he was drawn to creative expression. According to interviews, his parents supported his artistic leanings. He attended a film camp in third grade, which was formative, making his second short film there felt like the moment he found his path.
When Guerrero was 19, he made a bold decision: he moved to Los Angeles with only $100 in his pocket. That leap of faith marked a turning point. He has said in interviews that his life really started when he made that move, even though he still struggles with self-doubt and questions about who he is. He tattoos the word “Joy” on his eyelid, a daily reminder of the positive mindset he aims to cultivate. This inspired his alias on social media platforms: Joy Divizn, named after the 1970s alternative rock band.
Guerrero is a multidisciplinary artist, working as a filmmaker, photographer, and fashion designer. His visual style is deeply influenced by retro techniques, such as VHS aesthetics and grainy, lo-fi visuals that evoke the 90s. He’s also said that his love for cinema was sparked by Fight Club, which inspired his first ever t-shirt design: a bar of soap with his alias name carved into it.
Under the Joy Divizn name, Guerrero founded his own streetwear brands, VIZN and 000x1kjoy. The brand is known for exclusive drops and designs that lean on monochrome color palettes, screen-printing, and gritty, film-inspired motifs. He’s collaborated and aligned with notable figures in the fashion/music underground, like Ian Connor and Playboi Carti.
Guerrero continues to work on his craft every day. Near the end of 2023, he shot the music video for Playboi Cart’s hit song H00DBYAIR, shooting the entire thing on an iPhone. In September of this year, he shot the official advertisement for Playboi Carti’s t-shirt in collaboration with Supreme. He kept the same gritty, VHS aesthetic filter in the video, remaining loyal to his creative roots. Through these two projects, his fanbase sees high potential in his future as an artist.
