Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike (born 9 October 1986), populary known as Phyno Fino, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. 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 four singles: "Ghost Mode", "Man of the Year", "Parcel" and "O Set". Before that he recorded singles like "What are you waiting for" and " Multiply" featuring M.I, Mr. Raw, Timaya and M.I Phyno has worked with artists such as

Olamide Olamide Gbenga Adedeji (born 15 March 1989) is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. Widely regarded as one of the biggest and most influential artists in Africa, he has been instrumental to the launching of the careers ...

, Wizkid,

Davido David Adedeji Adeleke (born November 21, 1992), popularly known by his stage name Davido, is an American-Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. His music blends traditional African elements with global mainstream pop. Davido is widel ...

, Timaya, Flavour, Ruggedman,

Bracket A bracket is either of two tall fore- or back-facing punctuation marks commonly used to isolate a segment of text or data from its surroundings. Typically deployed in symmetric pairs, an individual bracket may be identified as a 'left' or 'r ...

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and

Mr Raw Okechukwu Edwards Ukeje, better known by his stage name Mr Raw (formerly Dat N.I.G.G.A. Raw), is a rapper from Abia State in Southeastern Nigeria. He is a pioneer of Igbo rap, a genre that now appeals to a broad, mainstream audience. Early life ...

Life and music career

Although 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 high school friend, was derived from the word phenomenal. Phyno developed an interest for music production during his secondary school days. He initially wanted to become a pilot, but was told 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 Enugu ( ; ) is the capital city of Enugu State in Nigeria. It is located in southeastern part of Nigeria. The city had a population of 820,000 according to the 2022 Nigerian census. The name ''Enugu'' is derived from the two Igbo words ''Énú ...

, and started profiting from music during his second year there. Phyno told Ifeoma Onoye that

is one of the few people he looks up to. Phyno started rapping in 2010 and relocated to Lagos to further his music career. Phyno began recording his debut studio album '' No Guts No Glory'' in 2012. The album features guest appearances from Stormrex,

Omawumi Omawumi Megbele (born 13 April 1982), known by her stage name Omawumi, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and actress of Itsekiri ethnicity She is a brand ambassador for Globacom, Konga.com, and Malta Guinness. She's also part of the campaign cal ...

, Efa, P-Square, Timaya, Flavour N'abania, Mr. Raw, MI, Ice Prince and Runtown. It was primarily recorded in Igbo and Nigerian Pidgin. On 25 September 2012, he released the Olamide-assisted "Ghost Mode" as the album's lead single. It won Best Collabo at both the 2012 The Headies Awards and

2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards The 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards was the 8th edition of the ceremony. It was held at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York and hosted by Basketmouth. Award winners Music categories Best Album of the Year * ''Timaya Upgrade' ...

. The music video for "Ghost Mode" was released on 7 December 2012. It was shot and directed in Lagos by Clarence Peters. Sputnet Records released the album's second single "Man of the Year (Obago)" on 23 March 2013. The song won Best Rap Single at the 2013 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 Tobechukwu Ejiofor known as iLLBLISS, is a Nigerian rapper, businessman and the owner of the talent managing outfit known as 'The Goretti Company', company responsible for launching the careers of Chidinma and Phyno, among others. Also popu ...

. In September 2013, the

Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation The Voice of Nigeria or VON is the official international broadcasting station of Nigeria. History Founded in 1961, the Voice of Nigeria began life as the External Service of the then Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (now Federal Radio Corpora ...

banned the music video from being broadcast. 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 from P-Square. The music video for the song was directed by Jude Engees Okoye. 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". On 2 September 2014, Phyno released the video for his "Authe (Authentic)" song with Flavour. On 7 October 2014, he released the Major Bangz-produced "Yayo". It debuted at number 8 on the Pulse Music Video charts. The Clarence Peters-directed music video for the song premiered on 5 January 2015. Opeoluwani Akintayo of '' The Daily Times of Nigeria'' gave the video an overall rating of 8 out stars of 10, commending its use of props. Phyno's collaborative album with

, titled ''

2 Kings The Book of Kings (, '' Sēfer Məlāḵīm'') is a book in the Hebrew Bible, found as two books (1–2 Kings) in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. It concludes the Deuteronomistic history, a history of Israel also including the books ...

'', was released on 1 April 2015. Both rappers went on social media to announce plans for the album's release. In June 2013, Phyno performed for 25 minutes in Owerri as part of the Star Music Trek tour. He toured with D'banj, Burna Boy,

Chidinma Chidinma Ekile (born 2 May 1991), known professionally as Chidinma, is a Nigerian hip-hop turned gospel singer and songwriter. In 2010, she rose to stardom after winning the third season of ''Project Fame West Africa''. Following the release of ...

, Vector, Pucado, Seyi Shay,

Show Dem Camp Show Dem Camp (SDC) is a Nigerian rap duo composed of Wale Davies (Tec) and Olumide Ayeni (Ghost) Personal lives The duo were born in Nigeria but lived and grew up in European cities and the United States before returning to Lagos to pursue a c ...

, Kay Switch and

Sean Tizzle Morihanfen Oluwaseun Oluwabamidele (born 15 December 1989), known by his stage name as Sean Tizzle, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He was formally signed to Sound Sultan's Naija Ninjas. Early life and Career Sean Tizzle was born into a C ...

as a supporting act on the 2013 Hennessy Artistry Club Tour. He performed at the 2014 edition of the Star Music Trek tour in Nsukka, Enugu State. In November 2015, Phyno started a Festival titled Phynofest and picked the Chuba Ikpeazu stadium in

Onitsha Onitsha ( or just ''Ọ̀nị̀chà'') is a city located on the eastern bank of the Niger River, in Anambra State, Nigeria. A metropolitan city, Onitsha is known for its river port and as an economic hub for commerce, industry, and education. ...

, Anambra State with an attendance of 12,000 people . The following year Phyno moved the venue of Phynofest to Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium Enugu in essence taking his festival back to the city he started his music career with an attendance of over 30,000 people featuring a star studded line up P-Square, Onyeka Owenu,

, Mr Eazi,

Lil Kesh Keshinro Ololade (born 17 March 1995), known professionally as Lil Kesh, is a Nigerian singer and rapper. He rose to limelight after releasing the hit single "Shoki". Early life and education Ololade was born and raised in Bariga, an area in L ...

, M.I, Burnaboy, Kcee, Zoro and Patoranking. In November 2017, Phyno brought Phynofest back and put together the biggest concert in Africa by an Artiste at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium Enugu with an attendance of over 50,000 people . He had a mouth watering line up of star acts D'banj,

Yemi Alade Yemi Eberechi Alade (born 13 March 1989), is a Nigerian Afropop singer, songwriter, actress and activist. She won the ''Peak Talent Show'' in 2009 after which she signed to Effyzzie Music Group, and had a hit with her single "Johnny" in 2014. S ...

, Timaya, Runtown, Zoro, Ycee, Flavour,

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and

Duncan Mighty Duncan Wene Mighty Okechukwu (born 28 October 1983), simply known as Duncan Mighty, is a Nigerian musician, singer, and music producer from Obio-Akpor, Rivers State. Though his musical style demonstrates a high-level of genre versatility, it is ...

. In March 2019, Phyno announced plans for the release of his third studio album ''Deal With It''. It has been supported by two singles: "Agu" and "The Bag". The album features guest appearances from

, Falz,

Don Jazzy Michael Collins Ajereh (born 26 November 1982), known professionally as Don Jazzy, is a Nigerian record producer. He is the founder and the CEO of Mavin Records. Don Jazzy was co-owner of the now-defunct Mo' Hits Records record label with D'b ...

, Zoro, Runtown and

Teni Teni may refer to: * Teni (singer) (born 1992), Nigerian singer * Thiazole tautomerase, enzyme * Theni Theni is a valley town situated in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu at the foothills of Western Ghats. It is the headquarters of the Theni di ...

. In July 2021, Phyno released a new single "Bia".

Artistry

He 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.

Personal life

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

Discography

Studio albums * '' No Guts No Glory'' (2014) * ''

The Playmaker ''The Playmaker'' is a novel based in Australia written by the Australian author Thomas Keneally. In 1789 in Sydney Cove, the remotest penal colony of the British Empire, a group of convicts and one of their captors unite to stage a play. Gover ...

'' (2016) * '' Deal With It'' (2019) * ''

Something To Live For (2021) Something to Live For may refer to: Music * Something to Live For (song), "Something to Live For" (song), a 1939 jazz standard by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn * Something to Live For (John O'Callaghan album), ''Something to Live For'' (John O ...

'' Single * '' Never'' (2020) Collaborative albums * ''

'' (with

) (2015)

Filmography

Awards and nominations

MTV Africa Music Awards !Ref , - , 2015 , Himself , Best Hip-hop , , Channel O Music Video Awards !Ref , - ,

2014 File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wat ...

, "Alobam" , Most Gifted Hip-hop , , City People Entertainment Awards !Ref , - , rowspan="2", 2014 , Himself , Rap Artiste of the Year , , rowspan="2", , - , '' No Guts No Glory'' , Rap Album of the Year , , - , rowspan="2", 2013 , "Ghost Mode"
(featuring Olamide) , Best Collabo of the Year , , rowspan="2", , - , Himself , Best Rap Artiste of the Year , Nigeria Entertainment Awards !Ref , - ,

, rowspan="2", Himself , Best Rap Act of the Year , , , - , rowspan="2",

2013 File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment fact ...

, Best Rap Act of the Year , , , - , "Ghost Mode"
(featuring Olamide) , Best Collabo , , African Muzik Magazine Awards !Ref , - , rowspan="2", 2013 , rowspan="2", Himself , Best Newcomer , , rowspan="2", , - , Best Rap Act , Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) !Ref , - , 2013 , "Man of the Year" , Best Afro Hip Hop Video , , The Headies !Ref , - , rowspan="6",

, Himself , Artiste of the Year , , rowspan="6", , - , Phyno for "Alobam" , Best Street-Hop Artiste , , - , rowspan="2", ''No Guts No Glory'' , Best Rap Album , , - ,

Album of the Year Album of the Year, often abbreviated to AOTY, may refer to: Awards * ARIA Award for Album of the Year, Australia * Brit Award for British Album of the Year, UK * Grammy Award for Album of the Year, US * Juno Award for Album of the Year, CA * Lati ...

, , - , "Parcel" , rowspan="2", Best Rap Single , , - , "Dope Money"
(

featuring Phyno) , , - , rowspan="7",

, rowspan="2", Himself , Next Rated , , rowspan="2", , - , Lyricist on the Roll , , - , "Ghost Mode"
(featuring Olamide) , rowspan="2", Best Collabo , , , - , "Ezioku"
(Lynxxx featuring Ikechukwu,

, and Phyno) , , , - , "Man of the Year" , rowspan="3", Best Rap Single , , , - , "Anam Achi Kwanu"
(Illbliss featuring Phyno) , , rowspan="2", , - , "Ghost Mode"
(featuring Olamide) , , - , rowspan="2",

2012 File:2012 Events Collage V3.png, From left, clockwise: The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia lies capsized after the Costa Concordia disaster; Damage to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Sandy; People gather ...

, "Shutdown" , Best Rap Single , , rowspan="2", , - , Phyno (for "Shutdown") , Lyricist on the Roll ,

Net Honours

References

{{Authority control Living people Nigerian male rappers Igbo rappers Musicians from Enugu State The Headies winners Nigerian hip hop record producers 1986 births