Phyno

Chibuzo Nelson Azubuike (listenⓘ; born 9 October 1986), known professionally as Phyno, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer.[3][4] A native of Anambra State, Phyno was born and raised in Enugu State. He started his music career as a producer in 2003, and is renowned for rapping in the Igbo language. His debut studio album No Guts No Glory was released in 2014. It was supported by the singles "Ghost Mode", "Man of the Year", "Parcel" and "O Set".[5] Phyno has worked with artists such as Olamide, Wizkid, Davido, Timaya, Flavour, Ruggedman, Bracket, J. Martins and Mr Raw.[6]

Phyno
Phyno performing in December 2014
Background information
Birth nameChibuzor Nelson Azubuike[1]
Also known asObiago
Born (1986-10-09) 9 October 1986
Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria[2]
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Instrument(s)
Years active2003–present
Labels
  • Sputnet
  • Penthauze

Life and music career

A native of Anambra State, Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike was born and raised in Enugu State. His stage name, given to him by one of his secondary school friends, was derived from the word phenomenal. Phyno developed an interest in music production during his secondary school days. He initially wanted to become a pilot, but was told that he could be a doctor. Throughout secondary school, he learned to play the drums and piano. He also learned to create his own rendition of every recording he heard. He studied public administration at the Institute of Management and Technology in Enugu, and started profiting from music during his second year there. Phyno told Ifeoma Onoye that Mr Raw is one of the few people he looks up to.[7][8] Phyno started rapping in 2010 and relocated to Lagos to further his music career.[6]

Phyno started recording his debut studio album No Guts No Glory in 2012.[2] The album features guest appearances from Stormrex, Omawumi, Olamide, Efa, P-Square, Timaya, Flavour N'abania, Mr Raw, M.I, Ice Prince and Runtown. It was primarily recorded in Igbo and Nigerian Pidgin. On 25 September 2012, he released the Olamide-assisted track "Ghost Mode" as the album's lead single.[9] The song won Best Collabo at the 2012 The Headies Awards and 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[10] The music video for "Ghost Mode" was released on 7 December 2012. It was shot and directed in Lagos by Clarence Peters.[11] Sputnet Records released the album's second single "Man of the Year (Obago)" on 23 March 2013.[12] The song won Best Rap Single at the 2013 Headies Awards.[13]

In June 2013 Phyno performed for 25 minutes in Owerri as part of the Star Music Trek tour.[14] He toured with D'banj, Burna Boy, Chidinma, Vector, Pucado, Seyi Shay, Show Dem Camp, Kay Switch and Sean Tizzle as a supporting act on the 2013 Hennessy Artistry Club Tour.[15] The music video for "Man of the Year (Obago)" was uploaded to YouTube on 20 August 2013. It was also shot and directed by Clarence Peters in Abakpa Nike, and features a cameo appearance from Illbliss. In September 2013, the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation banned the music video from being broadcast.[16] The album's third single "Parcel" was released on 11 October 2013. It was originally titled "Parcel (a BIG Nwa)".

The music video for "Parcel" was shot by Clarence Peters and released on 19 February 2014. "O Set" was released as the album's fourth single on 4 March 2014. The song was produced by WizzyPro and features vocals by P-Square.[17] The music video for the song was directed by Jude Engees Okoye.[18] On 22 May 2014, Phyno released the music video for "Alobam", which was directed by Clarence Peters. Produced by Major Bangz, the song is an Igbo slang for "My Guy".[19] On 2 September 2014, Phyno released the video for his "Authe (Authentic)" song with Flavour.[20] On 7 October 2014, he released the Major Bangz-produced track "Yayo".[21] It debuted at number 8 on the Pulse Music Video charts.[22] Phyno performed at the 2014 edition of the Star Music Trek tour in Nsukka, Enugu State.[23][24] The Clarence Peters-directed music video for "Yayo" premiered on 5 January 2015.[25] Opeoluwani Akintayo of The Daily Times of Nigeria gave the video an overall rating of 8 stars of 10, commending its use of props.[26]

Phyno's collaborative album with Olamide, titled 2 Kings, was released on 1 April 2015. Both rappers announced plans for the album's release on social media.[27] In March 2019, Phyno announced plans to release his third studio album Deal With It. The album was supported by the singles "Agu" and "The Bag". It features guest appearances from Olamide, Falz, Davido, Don Jazzy, Zoro, Runtown and Teni.[28] In July 2021, Phyno released the single "Bia".[29]

Artistry

Phyno told the Nigerian Tribune he raps in Igbo because he respects his culture and loves being himself. Although he primarily raps in Igbo, he incorporates a bit of Nigerian Pidgin and English into his music. Phyno believes the elements of music makes it borderless.[30]

Discography

Studio albums

  • No Guts No Glory (2014)
  • The Playmaker (2016)
  • Deal With It (2019)
  • Something to Live For (2021)

Collaborative albums

Filmography
Film
Year Film Role Notes
2018 Lionheart as Obiora Movie

Awards and nominations
Phyno awards and nominations
Totals[lower-alpha 1]
Wins5
Nominations28
Note
  1. Certain award groups do not simply award one winner. They recognize several different recipients, have runners-up, and have third place. Since this is a specific recognition and is different from losing an award, runner-up mentions are considered wins in this award tally. For simplification and to avoid errors, each award in this list has been presumed to have had a prior nomination.

MTV Africa Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2015 Himself Best Hip-hop Nominated [31]

Channel O Music Video Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2014 "Alobam" Most Gifted Hip-hop Nominated [32]

City People Entertainment Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2014 Himself Rap Artiste of the Year Won [33]
No Guts No Glory Rap Album of the Year Nominated
2013 "Ghost Mode"
(featuring Olamide)		 Best Collabo of the Year Nominated [34]
Himself Best Rap Artiste of the Year Nominated

Nigeria Entertainment Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2014 Himself Best Rap Act of the Year Nominated [35]
2013 Best Rap Act of the Year Nominated [36]
"Ghost Mode"
(featuring Olamide)		 Best Collabo Won [37]

African Muzik Magazine Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2013 Himself Best Newcomer Nominated [38]
Best Rap Act Nominated

Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA)

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2013 "Man of the Year" Best Afro Hip Hop Video Nominated [39]

The Headies

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2014 Himself Artiste of the Year Nominated [40]
Phyno for "Alobam" Best Street-Hop Artiste Nominated
No Guts No Glory Best Rap Album Nominated
Album of the Year Nominated
"Parcel" Best Rap Single Won
"Dope Money"
(Olamide featuring Phyno)		 Nominated
2013 Himself Next Rated Nominated [41]
Lyricist on the Roll Nominated
"Ghost Mode"
(featuring Olamide)		 Best Collabo Won [42]
"Ezioku"
(Lynxxx featuring Ikechukwu, Illbliss, and Phyno)		 Nominated [41]
"Man of the Year" Best Rap Single Won [42]
"Anam Achi Kwanu"
(Illbliss featuring Phyno)		 Nominated [41]
"Ghost Mode"
(featuring Olamide)		 Nominated
2012 "Shutdown" Best Rap Single Nominated [43]
Phyno (for "Shutdown") Lyricist on the Roll Nominated

NET Honours

Year Nominee/work Award Result Ref
2021 Himself Most Searched Musician (male) Nominated [44]
"HighWay" (DJ Kaywise featuring Phyno) Most played alternative song Nominated

See also

References
  1. "Phyno Biography". amdb.co. Archived from the original on 23 August 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  2. "My wild hairdo? My fans love it, and that's what matters —Phyno". The Nigerian Tribune. 3 May 2014. Archived from the original on 7 September 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  3. "Happy birthday cheers for Phyno from Olamide, Illbliss, Lil Kesh, others". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 9 October 2014. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  4. "Lionheart cast". IMDb. 8 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  5. "Music has no language – Phyno". Vanguard. 30 June 2014. Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  6. Augoye, Jayne (17 January 2014). "I did not impregnate any artiste –Phyno". The Punch. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  7. Ononye, Ifeoma. "I have a mad style but I am not crazy –Phyno". Daily Independent. Archived from the original on 7 September 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  8. Akande, Victor (7 July 2013). "PHYNO:M.I, Mr Raw made me". The Nation. Archived from the original on 7 September 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  9. O, Ovie (25 September 2012). "PREMIERE: Phyno ft Olamide – GhostMode". NotjustOk. Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  10. Release, Press (27 December 2013). "Olamide, Phyno, Davido, others win big at the Headies 2013". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  11. "New Video: Phyno Feat. Olamide – Ghost Mode". Bellanaija. 7 December 2012. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  12. "PREMIERE: Phyno – Man of The Year (Obago)". NotjustOk. 23 March 2013. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  13. "Olamide wins big @ Headies 2013 + full list of winners". 27 December 2013.
  14. "Phyno Turns Phenomenal in Owerri". This Day. 30 June 2013. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  15. "Olamide, Phyno, Chidinma to join D'banj for Hennessy artistry 2013". Premium Times. 17 August 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  16. "NBC bans Wizkid & Phyno's song: "Olamide & Wande Coal should be banned too" Charles Novia reacts". Royal Times. 18 September 2013. Archived from the original on 7 September 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  17. "Phyno ft. P-Square – O Set (Pro. WizzyPro)". NotjustOk. 4 March 2014. Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  18. "Watch Phyno x P-Square's 'O Set' Video". Okay Africa. 8 June 2014. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  19. Okoth-Obbo, Vanessa (28 March 2014). "Phyno Hits The Streets In 'Alobam'". Okay Africa. Archived from the original on 7 September 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  20. "VIDEO: Phyno Feat. Flavour – Authe". Naij News. 4 September 2014. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  21. "Yayo – Single by Phyno". iTunes. 7 October 2014. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  22. Tayo, Ayomide (30 January 2015). "Phyno, Olamide, Waje, storm the charts". Pulse. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  23. "Olamide, Phyno in sensational collabo". Thee Nation. 6 April 2014. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  24. "Star Trek: 2face, Olamide, Naeto C, Phyno, others thrill Nsukka fans". The Nation. 1 April 2014. Archived from the original on 30 August 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  25. Oyewusi, Siji (5 January 2015). "Phyno releases video for his 2014 hit, 'Yayo'". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  26. Akintayo, Opeoluwani (2 April 2015). "Yayo By Phyno: A Battle Of Talents". Daily Times of Nigeria. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  27. "Olamide, Phyno to collaborate on album, 2 Kings". Premium Times. 23 January 2014. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  28. Aderemi, Adewojumi (29 August 2019). "s Tracklist For His Forthcoming Album, 'Deal With It'". Konbini. Archived from the original on 31 August 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  29. Edeme, Victoria (10 July 2021). "Fans hail Phyno on new single 'Bia'". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  30. Filani, Omotola (8 May 2014). ""I am taking Igbo rap to the next level" – Phyno". Daily Post. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  31. "Full List of MTV MAMA 2015 Award Nominees". Daily Independent. 17 September 2015. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  32. "Cassper Nyovest rules the Channel O Music Video Awards nominees". Sunday World. 5 September 2014. Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  33. Jasanya, Olamide (24 June 2014). "Who won what at City People Entertainment Awards 2014". thenet.ng. Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 28 June 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  34. "Ice Prince, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Sarkodie, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Yvonne Okoro, Tonto Dikeh & BellaNaija Nominated for the 2013 City People Entertainment Awards – See the Full List". Bellanaija. 19 June 2013. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  35. Abimboye, Micheal (31 May 2014). "Pop duo, Skuki, reject Nigerian Entertainment Awards nomination". Premium Times. Archived from the original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
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  39. "NIGERIA MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS (NMVA 2013) WINNERS LIST". Tooxclusive. 16 November 2013. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  40. Ochugba, Mary (10 October 2014). "The Headies unveils 2014 nominees". Business Day. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
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  42. "Olamide, Phyno, Davido, others win big at the Headies 2013". Premium Times. 27 December 2013. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  43. Mgbolu, Charles (28 August 2012). "Psquare, Bez lead Headies 2012 nominees list". Vanguard. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  44. "Net Honours – The Class of 2021". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
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