Phyno, a renowned Nigerian musician, narrated why he decided to switch from rapping in English to using the Igbo language in his songs.
In a recent episode of the ‘In My Opinion’ podcast, Phyno, whose real name is Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike, shared some insight into his artistic journey.
In the early phases of his career, he said, English was his language of choice for rapping. However, he later switched gears and started delivering his raps in Igbo.
Phyno wanted to present something distinctive that set him apart from others, especially in the Western music scene. Influenced significantly by his upbringing, the Igbo language seemed the perfect fit for his unique proposition.
Phyno’s interest in music has been greatly shaped by Western legends such as Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, 2Pacs, and Biggie, among others. He acknowledged that their influence did contribute to his initial preference for rapping in English.
However, in time, Phyno realised a key aspect of his artistic persona. He was determined to present something to the world that was undoubtedly his, something unique.
“What am I going to sell to the world? If I go to the UK, will I sell English to them? They own the English language.’ If I go to America right now, I am selling Igbo to them. That’s what it is. So you have to sell something that they don’t have,” he explained.
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Phyno also reflects his cultural pride through his attire, increasingly opting for traditional Igbo clothes to express his roots vividly. He insisted on representing the uniqueness of his culture through his music and style, making him stand out in the crowd.
