Phyno: Biography, songs, awards, net worth, family
Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer better known as Phyno Fino. In 2003, he began his music career as a producer, and he is known for rapping in Igbo. He is best known for his amazing songs such as Fada Fada, Connect, Highway, and many others.
Table of Content hide 1 Biography 2 Career 3 Songs 4 Albums 5 Net worth 6 Family 7 Awards 8 ConclusionBiography
Phyno was born on October 9, 1986, Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike in Enugu State. He was raised in the Coal City despite being an Anambra State native. His stage name was taken from the word phenomenal, given to him by a high school acquaintance. During his secondary school years, Phyno developed an interest in music creation. Initially, he intended to be a pilot but was informed he could be a doctor.
He studied drums and piano throughout his secondary school years. He also learned to make his own renditions of all the recordings he listened to. He went to the Institute of Management and Technology in Enugu to study public administration and began making money from music during his second year.
Career
After completing his university education, Phyno relocated to Lagos in 2010 to further his music career.
In 2012, Phyno began work on his debut studio album, No Guts No Glory. Stormrex, Omawumi, Olamide, Efa, P-Square, Timaya, Flavour N’abania, Mr. Raw, MI, Ice Prince, and Runtown made guest appearances on the album. It was mostly documented in the Igbo and Nigerian pidgin languages. The album’s debut song, Ghost Mode, featuring Olamide, was released on September 25, 2012. At both 2012 The Headies Awards and the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, it was named Best Collabo.
On December 7, 2012, the music video for Ghost Mode was released. Clarence Peters shot and directed the film in Lagos. On March 23, 2013, Sputnet Records released the album’s second single, Man of the Year (Obago). At the 2012 Headies Awards, the song was named Best Rap Single. On August 20, 2013, the music video for Man of the Year (Obago) was posted to YouTube. Clarence Peters also shot and directed it in Abakpa Nike, and Illbliss made a cameo appearance. The Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation barred the song video from being broadcast in September 2013.
The third single from the album, Parcel, was released on October 11, 2013. Parcel was the initial title (a BIG Nwa). Clarence Peters directed the music video for Parcel, which premiered on February 19, 2014. On March 4, 2014, O Set was released as the album’s fourth single. WizzyPro produced the song, which includes P-Square on vocals.
Jude Engees Okoye directed the music video for the song. Phyno released the music video for Alobam, directed by Clarence Peters, on May 22, 2014.
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The song is an Igbo slang for My Guy, and Major Bangz produced it. Phyno released the video for his Authe (Authentic) single featuring Flavour on September 2, 2014. On October 7, 2014, he released Yayo, which Major Bangz produced. On the Pulse Music Video charts, it debuted at number eight.
The song’s music video, directed by Clarence Peters, premiered on January 5, 2015. The Daily Times of Nigeria’s Opeoluwani Akintayo gave the video an overall grade of 8 out of 10 stars, praising its usage of props.
In 2014, Phyno released his debut studio album, No Guts, No Glory (under the Sputnet Records and Penthauze Music labels), rapping mostly in Igbo and Nigerian Pidgin. Runtown, Timaya, Flavour N’abania, and Omawumi were among the artists featured on the album.
2 Kings, Phyno’s joint album with Olamide, was released on April 1, 2015. Both rappers announced the album’s release plans on social media.
Phyno had a 25-minute performance at Owerri as part of the Star Music Trek tour in June 2013. On the 2013 Hennessy Artistry Club Tour, he supported D’banj, Burna Boy, Chidinma, Vector, Pucado, Seyi Shay, Show Dem Camp, Kay Switch, and Sean Tizzle. In Nsukka, Enugu State, he played in the 2014 edition of the Star Music Trek tour.
In November 2015, Phyno launched the Phynofest festival, which drew 12,000 people to the Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium in Onitsha, Anambra State. The following year, P-Square, Onyeka Owenu, Olamide, Mr Eazi, Lil Kesh, M.I, Burnaboy, Kcee, Zoro, and Patoranking shifted the location of Phynofest to Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium Enugu, thereby bringing his festival back to the city where he began his music career with an attendance of over 30,000 people.
Phyno’s sophomore album, The Playmaker, was released in 2016 via Penthauze Records and includes guests such as 2baba and Burna Boy. Major Bangz, Tunex, Christ String, Kezyklef, Benjamz, MasterKraft, Del’B, and T-Spize produced the album. Pino Pino (2016), Fada Fada ft Olamide (2016), and E Sure For Me (2016) are among the album’s singles.
In 2019 Phyno released his album titled Deal With It. The album contained 21 tracks, including hit songs like Vibe featuring Flavour and Ride For You featuring Davido. In 2020 Phyno released his hit song Highway, which DJ Kaywise featured. The song made waves in Nigeria. Highway was named Net Honor’s Most Played Streethop Song in 2021.
Phyno is the founder and CEO of the Nigerian musical company Penthauze Music. He began his career with Sputnet Records and then moved on to Penthauze after a while. The label began operations in 2008 and has already signed several artists.
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Songs
The musician has released several hit songs, which have won him awards and recognition in Nigeria and worldwide. Some of his hit songs are:
- Bia
- Authentic
- Oringo
- Yayo
- Alobam
- Good Die Young
- Connect
- Fada Fada
- Highway
- Vibe
- Ride For You
- Problem
- God’s willing
- Deal With It
- Speak Life
- I Got Your Back
- Aju
- Pino Pino
Albums
- No Guts No Glory (2014)
- The Playmaker (2016)
- Deal With It (2019)
- Something To Live For (2021) Collaborative album
- 2 Kings with Olamide 2015
Net worth
Phyno is one of the wealthiest rappers in Nigeria. He has an estimated net worth of $10million. His massive net worth is from his songs, endorsement deals, and many other businesses he runs.
Family
Phyno is quite discreet about his relationship and family life. It’s unclear whether he’s married or whether he has a girlfriend. In 2014, he was accused of impregnating Rita Edmond, an up-and-coming musician; however, both Rita and Phyno came forward to deny the allegation.
Awards
The musician has received some awards for his outstanding performances. Some of them include the Headies Awards for Best Rap Single in 2013 and 2014, the Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Best Collabo in 2013, and the City People Entertainment Awards for Best Rap Artiste of the Year in 2014.
Conclusion
Phyno is one of the most influential musicians not just in Nigeria but also in Africa. He has contributed immensely to the music industry. He also inspires many aspiring musicians, especially those who wish to sing in their local dialects.
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