Nigerian rap icon and African hip-hop pioneer Phyno marks an extraordinary milestone in his career with the release of his fifth studio album, Full Time Job. Dropped on October 4, 2024, the album not only commemorates 10 years of Phyno’s artistry but also serves as a bold statement of growth and resilience, bridging cultural divides and redefining global rap. Currently wrapping up the first leg of his sold-out world tour, Phyno’s impact continues to resonate far beyond Nigeria. His latest album, which debuted at #1 and features collaborations with international stars like Burna Boy, ArrDee, and Chip, showcases his ability to merge his Igbo rap roots with global influences.
Born in Enugu, Nigeria, Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike, better known by his stage name Phyno (short for “phenomenal”), has carved an indelible mark on the global music scene. A multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer, Phyno began his career behind the scenes as a producer, crafting hits for some of Nigeria’s biggest stars, including M.I. Abaga, Timaya, and Flavour.
As the music industry continues to evolve, Phyno captures the reality perfectly, reflecting on how the dynamics of music creation and promotion have shifted. He emphasizes the joy he finds in making music while acknowledging the impact of marketing in determining a song’s success:
“Honestly, I really love to have fun making music. I understand the competition side of things, but a lot of things have changed from what they used to be. I feel like right now, most songs that have messages to give to the world or to people are the ones that are less marketed. Any record right now can be successful depending on the budget you get behind the record.”
In 2014, Phyno made a stunning debut as an artist with his breakout singles "Multiply" and “Ghost Mode” featuring Olamide. Since then, he has become a trailblazer in the Nigerian music industry, known for his ability to seamlessly blend Igbo and English in his lyrics, creating a captivating fusion of hip-hop, Afrobeats, and Modern Highlife.
Reflecting on his 10-year journey, Phyno shared, “Looking back, I’m just grateful. It’s been a long road, learning and doing what I love, with God’s grace standing strong. I’ve achieved so much while making music and doing exactly what I enjoy.”
As one of the pioneers of Afrobeats, Phyno has watched the genre grow from a regional sound to a global movement. He expressed his excitement about the genre’s evolution: “I feel so happy because it’s been a long time coming. We knew it was going to happen; we just didn’t know when. The talent we have here in Africa is incredible. Our music is so diverse, and when you listen to artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, and Davido, you can’t box us in. Afrobeats is about taking music from other cultures and blending it with what we have, creating something new. The feel-good energy in our music is undeniable, and we always knew it would reach this point.”
Phyno has always been committed to his craft, and his passion for music runs deep. Reflecting on his journey and future, he shared, “Honestly, I want to do this as long as I can do this. It’s probably going to get to a time when I won’t be as consistent as I am right now. But then again, this is something I’ve done almost my whole life. I started off as a music producer. I worked with a whole lot of people; then, I started making my own stuff. So this is something I’ve done my whole life, and I still enjoy doing it. So I’m not gonna say, I’m gonna retire in the next 10 years. No, I enjoy doing it, but I know that there’ll definitely be a time when I won’t be dropping out. It won’t be every year or two years. My legacy will always remain what it’s always been, which is I just wanna be the guy that everybody knows who sold his culture to the world and represents my people, my tribe, the Igbo culture, and that’s what I bring to the table.”
As he continues to evolve as an artist, Phyno’s dedication to his roots and cultural pride remains at the forefront of his journey. His legacy, anchored in his mission to represent the Igbo culture globally, will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact.
Known for his versatility and deep connection to his craft, shared insights about his experience working on his album Full Time Job. He collaborated with both established and emerging talents, including Chip, Burna Boy, ArrDee, Fave, and Cheque, and reflected on the mutual exchange of learning that took place during the process:
“100%. So I love learning, and I’m always open to sharing knowledge with people. If you wanna listen to what you think I know, I can still tell you what I know if you wanna learn and benefit from it, too. But I’m always paying attention because I want to learn new things. Being in the studio with the new guys and artists like FAVE, the way they make music and their own understanding of music is totally different, but it works for them. How they write music is totally different from how I write music. It’s just you just have to pay attention because it’s a learning curve… When I’m back to making what I love to make and how I make it, I’ll probably be back to what I’m doing. But if I’m coming to your territory as an artist, I have to do what works for you.”
Phyno’s journey is a testament to his unwavering passion, authenticity, and dedication to his craft. As a pioneer of African hip-hop and a cultural ambassador, he continues to elevate the global music scene while staying true to his roots. With a decade of groundbreaking music, Phyno’s legacy will not only be remembered for his chart-topping hits but for his commitment to showcasing the richness of Igbo culture and African music to the world. Though the future may bring changes, one thing is certain: Phyno’s influence will continue to resonate for years to come, and his place as one of Africa’s most iconic artists is firmly secured.
As African music continues to rise globally, it’s important to recognize the next wave of artists poised to shape its future. Phyno shared his perspective on the emerging talents leading this charge. Highlighting the dynamic new generation, he names artists to watch while reflecting on their growth and contributions:
“So there’s this kid called Alpha P. He’s amazing; you already know Cheque, who was on ‘Back Outside.’ There’s a whole lot of new guys. There’s this guy that crops the project. You need to check it out. His name is Llona. He’s really amazing. He has a solid project. You already know FAVE—she dropped a project as well. FAVE is amazing. So these are like the new wave of artists that are gonna come out and do something great.”
When reflecting on his own career, which has spanned years and established him as a pioneer of Igbo rap, Phyno shares his vision for the next decade. Despite his long-standing contributions to music, he remains deeply passionate about his craft and committed to representing his culture on a global scale. His response reveals a thoughtful approach to longevity, legacy, and the cultural impact of his art:
“Honestly, I want to do this as long as I can do this. It’s probably going to get to a time when I won’t be as consistent as I am right now. But then again, this is something I’ve done almost my whole life….my legacy will always remain what it’s always been, which is I just wanna be the guy that everybody knows who sold his culture to the world and represents my people, my tribe, the Igbo culture, and that’s what I bring to the table. And the guy that made amazing music from his rap songs to singing, and that broke the barrier with the language regardless."
Overall, Phyno’s dedication to his craft and culture underscores his unique role in music. It’s clear that his passion for storytelling and representation will continue to guide his journey for years to come.
Stream Full Time Job out now on all DSPs
