Phyno: His music, style and rap flows

Though he started out as a producer, producing for artistes like Flavour, Timaya, Ruggedman, Bracket, 2Shotz, J Martins and Mr. Raw. Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike, better known by his stage name Phyno however, following an advice from IllBliss, who told him to get into the booth and try his hands at rapping, gave a shot at the genre in 2010 g after moving to Lagos.

In 2012, Phyno started recording songs for his debut studio album, No Guts No Glory, which didn’t drop until early 2014. The album featured guest appearances from Omawumi, Olamide, Efa, P-Square, Timaya, Flavour N’abania, Mr. Raw, M.I, Ice Prince and Runtown.

Most of the songs in the album were recorded in Igbo and Pidgin. Ghost Mode, which was released in September 2012, and featuring Olamide, served as the album’s lead single. The song went on to top numerous charts across the country.

Other songs in the album include Man of the Year (Obago), Alobam, Parcel and O Set were well received apart from the video for Man of the Year (Obago) which was banned from being aired in September 2013 by the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation.

The album brought him to the limelight, with hit song, Ghost Mode winning the ‘Best Collabo’ at the 2012 Headies Awards and 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, while Man of the Year (Obago) won the Best Rap of the Year in single category at the 2012 Headies.

In total, his works has earned 15 nominations several awards ceremonies including Channel O Music Video Awards, City People Entertainment Awards, Nigeria Entertainment Awards, African Muzik Magazine Awards, and Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA).

Born and raised in Enugu also known as the Coal City, Phyno has grown his music career so well, that it has gone beyond the shores of Nigeria; no surprise he is one of the few rappers in the country that still offer pure content with indigenous parlance, which he combines with a pidgin and a bit of pure English.

Beyond the quality of his music, the Anambra native is a stylish and over-the-top sophisticated with his fashion sense, and this has left many including his fans wondered why he hasn’t try his hands in fashion and style, especially as model.

Regardless of what he is wearing or where he is, the Institute of Management of Technology (IMT) Enugu alumni sure knows how to make a fashion statement and you cannot stop gushing over his style.

Whether he is performing on stage or he is just chilling in his hood, Phyno comes off in grand style with his dressing, pulls off colours like a professional, and carries himself in a way that he only can.

From beard gang to his numerous hairstyles, ability to make Igbo language sound sweeter, a look and eyes that could completely dissuade or melt a stony hearts, Phyno is certainly the guy every girl wants to be with. Little wonder he has gotten a number of deals and endorsements over time.

As one of the best rappers around the country and recognized as ambassador of rap music in Igbo language, Phyno’s flows are tight just as his content is real and matched with outstanding delivery, which has help made his music acceptable both in Nigeria and the international entertainment scene.

On why he raps in Igbo, the Ezege crooner said he does so because he respects his culture and loves being himself. “Music has no language, the barrier is in your head. For me, there is no pressure at all; I am just living my life. If I really want to do music in English, I will. I started rapping in English but it’s not about the language anymore, it’s about doing what you know how to do, perfecting it and being known for something. You’d rather know me for rapping in Igbo than not know me at all.”

“My daily activities inspire the music I do, that’s why I try my best to make my music is real and for people to relate with what I am doing because it is real life not make-believe What makes you a rapper is rapper, what makes you a producer is making beats, what makes you a musician is doing all genres of music. So, I am not a rapper. I sing, I write songs, produce and rap. Because I blew up in the industry as a rapper, doesn’t mean, I don’t do other stuffs too. Before, I became Phyno, the artiste, I produced songs for Timaya, Bracket, Flavour and J-Martins.”