Phyno:Azubuike Chibuzo Nelson.

Phyno
Birth name Azubuike Chibuzo Nelson
Born 9 October 1986 (age 28)
Enugu State, Nigeria[1]
Genres Igbo rap, hip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • record producer
Years active (2003–present)
Labels Sputnet Records
Penthauze Music
Associated acts
Azubuike Chibuzo Nelson (born 9 October 1986), known by his stage name Phyno, is a Nigerian rapper and record producer.[2] He started his musical career as a producer in 2003. He is renowned for rapping in the Igbo language. His debut studio album, No Guts No Glory, was released in 2014. It produced the singles "Ghost Mode", "Man of the Year", "Parcel" and "O Set".[3] As a producer, he has worked with artists such as Timaya, Flavour, Ruggedman, Bracket, J Martins and Mr. Raw
.

Life and music career

Azubuike Chibuzo Nelson was born and raised in Enugu State. His stage name Phyno, which is derived from the word phenomenal, was the nickname given to him by one of his high school friends named Emeka. Phyno developed an interest for music production during his secondary school days. He initially wanted to become a pilot, but was told that he could be a doctor. Throughout high 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 at IMT. Phyno told Ifeoma Onoye that Mr. Raw is one of the few people he looks up to.[5][6] Phyno started rapping in 2010 and relocated to Lagos to continue his music career.[4]

2012–14:No Guts No Glory and Guinness campaign

Phyno started recording his debut studio album, No Guts No Glory, in 2012.[1] 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. Phyno told Joan Omionawle and Netwon-Ray Ukwuoma of The Nigerian Tribune that rapping in his native language is his strong suit.[1]
On 25 September 2012, he released "Ghost Mode" as the album's lead single.[7] The song features Olamide and was released to critical acclaim. It won Best Collabo at both the 2012 The Headies Awards and 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. The music video for "Ghost Mode" was released on 7 December 2012. It was shot and directed in Lagos by Clarence Peters.[8]
Sputnet Records released the album's second single, "Man of the Year (Obago)", on 23 March 2013.[9] The song, which was produced by Phyno, managed to win the Best Rap Single category at the 2012 The Headies Awards. The music video for "Man of the Year (Obago)" was uploaded onto 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.[10]
"Parcel", the third single off the album, was released on 11 October 2013. The song was originally titled "Parcel (a BIG Nwa)". The music video for "Parcel" was released on 19 February 2014 and shot by Clarence Peters. On 4 March 2014, "O Set" was announced as the album's fourth single. The song was produced by WizzyPro and features P-Square.[11] The music video for the song was directed by Jude Engees Okoye and uploaded onto YouTube at approximately 4 minutes.[12]
On 22 May 2014, Phyno released the music video for "Alobam" which was directed by Clarence Peters. The song, which is an Igbo slang for "My Guy", was produced by Major Bangz. In the video, Phyno paid tribute to some of his peers including Ice Prince, Flavour, P-Square, Olamide and J Martins.[13]
On 31 August 2014, Thisday reported that Phyno became an ambassador of Guinness Nigeria's Made of Black campaign alongside Olamide and Eva Alordiah. Phyno performed at the campaign's launch and was featured in the campaign's television commercial.[14] On 2 September 2014, Phyno released the Clarence Peters directed visuals to his "Authe (Authentic)" song with Flavour N'abania.[15]

Notable performances

In June 2013, Phyno performed for 25 minutes in Owerri as part of the Star Music Trek tour.[16] Phyno 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 Hennessy Artistry 2013 Club Tour.[17] In April 2014, he performed at the 2014 edition of the Star Music Trek tour in Nsukka, Enugu State.[18][19]

Artistry and sound

Phyno is widely known as the ambassador of rap music in the Igbo Language. He told the Nigerian Tribune that he raps in Igbo because he respects his culture and loves being himself. Although he primarily raps in Igbo, he combines a bit of Nigerian Pidgin and English in his music. Phyno believes that the elements of music makes it borderless.[20]

Personal life

In a 2014 interview with The Punch newspaper, Phyno denied reports about impregnating a woman named Rita Edmond.[4]

Discography

Awards and nominations

Phyno awards and nominations
Awards and nominations
Award Wins Nominations
The Headies
3 12
Nigeria Entertainment Awards
1 2
Channel O Music Video Awards
0 1
City People Entertainment Award
1 3
Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA)
0 1
African Muzik Magazine Awards
0 2
Totals
Awards won 5
Nominations 21

Channel O Music Video Awards

Year Recipient Award Result Ref
2014 "Alobam" Most Gifted Hip-hop Nominated [22]

City People Entertainment Awards

Year Recipient Award Result Ref
2014 Himself Rap Artiste of the Year Won [23]
No Guts No Glory Rap Album of the Year Nominated
2013 "Ghost Mode"
(featuring Olamide)
Best Collabo of the Year Nominated [24]
Himself Best Rap Artiste of the Year Nominated

Nigeria Entertainment Awards

Year Recipient Award Result Ref
2014 Himself Best Rap Act of the Year Nominated [25]
2013 Best Rap Act of the Year Nominated [26]
"Ghost Mode"
(featuring Olamide)
Best Collabo Won [27]

African Muzik Magazine Awards

Year Recipient Award Result Ref
2013 Himself Best Newcomer Nominated [28]
Best Rap Act Nominated

Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA)

Year Recipient Award Result Ref
2013 "Man of the Year" Best Afro Hip Hop Video Nominated [29]

The Headies

Year Recipient Award Result Ref
2014 Himself Artiste of the Year Nominated [30]
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 [31]
Lyricist on the Roll Nominated
"Ghost Mode"
(featuring Olamide)
Best Collabo Won [32]
"Ezioku"
(Lynxxx featuring Ikechukwu, Illbliss, and Phyno)
Nominated [31]
"Man of the Year" Best Rap Single Won [32]
"Anam Achi Kwanu"
(Illbliss featuring Phyno)
Nominated [31]
"Ghost Mode"
(featuring Olamide)
Nominated
2012 "Shutdown" Best Rap Single Nominated [33]
Phyno (for "Shutdown") Lyricist on the Roll Nominated

 

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