Early Life, Career, Songs, Awards, Wife, Net Worth

Chibuzo Nelson Azubuike (born October 9, 1986), professionally known as Phyno, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Phyno was born and brought up in Enugu, but he is originally from Anambra State. He began his music career as a producer in 2003 and currently raps in Igbo. His debut studio album, No Guts No Glory, was released in March 2014 and featured the singles “Ghost Mode”, “Man of the Year”, “Parcel”, and “O Set”. Coming from the Eastern part of Nigeria, Phyno is one of the top 10 richest musician in Nigeria Forbes List 2025, and still growing in the entertainment industry.

Phyno Biography

Phyno was born on October 9, 1986, in Enugu State, but he is originally from Anambra State, Nigeria. His stage name was derived from the word phenomenal, which one of his secondary school buddies gave him. Phyno had an interest in music production during his secondary school years. He wanted to be a pilot but was informed he could be a doctor instead. He learnt to play the drums and piano in secondary school and made his own versions of every recording he heard.

He studied public management at the Institute of Management and Technology in Enugu and began benefitting from music in his second year. Phyno informed Ifeoma Onoye that Mr Raw was one of the few individuals he admired. He began rapping in 2010 and moved to Lagos to pursue his musical career.

Career

Phyno began recording his debut studio album, No Guts, No Glory, in 2012. Stormrex, Omawumi, Olamide, Efa, P-Square, Timaya, Flavour N’abania, Mr Raw, M.I., Ice Prince, and Runtown all made guest appearances on the album. It was predominantly recorded in Igbo and Nigerian Pidgin. The album’s debut single, “Ghost Mode” featuring Olamide, was released on September 25, 2012.

The song won Best Collaboration at The Headies 2012 and 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. On 7 December 2012, Phyno released the music video for “Ghost Mode”, which was filmed in Lagos by Clarence Peters. On March 23, 2013, Sputnet Records released the album’s second single, “Man of the Year (Obago)”. The song was named Best Rap Single at the 2013 Headies Awards.

Phyno had a 25-minute performance at Owerri as part of the Star Music Trek tour in June 2013. He performed as a supporting act on the 2013 Hennessy Artistry Club Tour alongside D’banj, Burna Boy, Chidinma, Vector, Pucado, Seyi Shay, Show Dem Camp, Kay Switch, and Sean Tizzle. The music video for “Man of the Year (Obago)” was published to YouTube on August 20, 2013. Clarence Peters also directed Abakpa Nike, which has a cameo appearance by Illbliss.

In September 2013, the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation prohibited the song video from being broadcast. On October 11, 2013, the album’s third single, “Parcel” (originally titled “Parcel (a Big Nwa)”), was released. Peters directed and released the music video for “Parcel” on February 19, 2014.

“O Set” was released as the album’s fourth single on March 4, 2014. WizzyPro produced the song, which features vocals by P-Square. Jude Engees Okoye directed the song’s music video. Clarence Peters directed the music video for Phyno’s song “Alobam”, which was released on May 22, 2014. “Alobam” is an Igbo slang term for “My Guy” developed by Major Bangz. On September 2, 2014, Phyno released the video for his single “Authe (Authentic)” alongside Flavour.

He released the Major Bangz-produced track “Yayo” on October 7, 2014, and it debuted at number 8 on the Pulse Music Video chart. Phyno performed during the 2014 Star Music Trek tour in Nsukka, Enugu State. The music video for “Yayo” was directed by Peters and aired on January 5, 2015. Opeoluwani Akintayo of The Daily Times of Nigeria gave the video an overall rating of 8 out of 10, praising its usage of props.

Phyno’s collaborative album with Olamide, titled 2 Kings, was released on 1 April 2015. Both rappers shared plans for the album’s release on social media. Phyno plans to release his third studio album, Deal With It, in March 2019. Olamide, Falz, Davido, Don Jazzy, Zoro, Runtown, and Teni make guest appearances on the album, which is supported by the singles “Agu” and “The Bag”. In July 2021, Phyno released the single “Bia”.