On Friday 4th October 2024, Phyno released his 6th studio album. Chibuzo Nelson Azubuike Ezege, also known by his stage name ‘Phyno’ is a Nigerian singer, rapper, songwriter, record producer as well as the CEO of his own label, Penthauze Music.
Enugu State is Phyno’s birth home and the state he was raised in. However, he is also a native of Anambra State.
In 2003, he began working on his music career and eventually found success as a music producer. While developing what we know him for today, rapping primarily in his native Igbo tongue is a skill that makes him unique and became popular for.
To celebrate the release of his new album, Phyno held a playback listening party in London this past week. The name of the album is ‘Full Time Job’, and I had the pleasure of attending.
There were appearances from a few industry heads that came to show some love, including Tiwa Savage, DJ EniMoney, Larry Gaaga, Dre Wuyi, Yhemo Lee, YCee, Falz, NSG, Arrdee and more. The room was definitely filled with love, good vibez, good energy and a good time.
‘Full Time Job’ Album Tracklist
It’s Nothing (ft Emaodiaa)
Back Outside (ft Cheque)
Eyes on Dem (ft Chip)
Do I
Deep (ft Fave)
Time Of My Life (ft Arrdee)
Nwayo Nwayo
Men Don Show Face (ft Flavour)
Grateful
Nwoke Esike Interlude (ft Hushpuppi)
Trouble Maker
Pinterest (ft NSG)
Do I, Remix (ft Burna Boy)
Sweet Karma (ft Johnny Drille)
Anthem NDI EZE
Getting straight into things, the night kicked off with the host of the night introducing Phyno to the stage. Phyno was given a loud welcome and without wasting any more time, she dived right into the questions.
The host pointed out how long he’s been in the music industry and his unique sound infused with hip hop/rap, Nigeria sound, UK (Afro Swing) sound and his native Igbo dialect sound. Phyno was asked, what was the inspiration behind this album, ‘Full Time Job?’
Phyno: “Music has always been intentional for me. Because I love it and I want to make music that is honest and will stand the test of time. Do you understand?? Something that you can play, and you can still play in the next ten years, depending on the kind of music you listen to. I try my best to put my best in the craft.”
Phyno goes on to say that this album, ‘Full Time Job’, focuses on where he is mentally right now and also shares that between his last album, ‘Something To Live For’ (2021) and this current album, ‘Full Time Job’ (2024), you will see the growth in his music.
The album title is very unique. Phyno explains the concept behind the name and why he chose this name (Full Time Job) for his album.
Phyno: ”Greatness is a full time job, and how much time and work you put into your talent and skills, it will show. The more time, the better the outcome. Depending on what your talent or skill is, it will show and that is where your greatness lies.”
The album in my opinion is really good. In fact it’s amazing. There are simply no skips and I love the energy each track brings.
The collaborations featured on the album range from UK, Nigerian and South African artists and a former instagram influencer, such as:
Chip
Arrdee
NSG
Flavour
Burna Boy
Emaodia
Cheque
Johnny Drille
Fave
Hushpuppi
Hushpuppi, who is one of the collaborators on the album, is currently serving time in prison for fraud. His audio was used of him speaking from a prison phone and although it’s only an interlude, it’s still a feature that made the album on Track 10 called Nwoke Esike. Phyno shares that the song is about inspiration and giving advice to people on living within their budget and not going over their means. Nwoke Esike (Interlude) ft Hushpuppi, peaked at number 20 on the Official UK Afrobeats Charts last week.
He wanted to give advice to people to stay and live within their means, and who is a better person to give that advice other than Hushpuppi himself. Hushpuppi is a living example that one can learn from and his audio was added to the beginning of the song.
So after we wrapped up getting to know the background of making the album, ‘Full Time Job’, performing some tracks was inevitable at this point. We had to vibe out and party, it was too hard not to. Every track on the album got us shaking not just our one leg, but our whole bodies too. When I say, “a time was had”, that’s exactly what happened.
So…. party starter Adesope aka Shopsydoo aka the energy gawd, handed Phyno the mic and kicked off the first song, which was what we’ve all been waiting for and wanted to hear him perform, track number 4, ‘Do I’. This song is one of my favourite tracks on the album. It’s a banger and nobody can tell me otherwise, argue with bugs on your floor 🤣. Soon as the beat dropped, it was a wrap and it set the tone for the rest of the night.
Next up was the little but mighty man from big Brighton, UK rapper Arrdee. Arrdee is featured on the track, ‘Time of My Life’, and again… another banger. It’s such a banger, that it peaked at number 19 on the Official UK Afrobeats Charts last week, a new entry. This is a big deal so congratulations to both Phyno and Arrdee on this achievement. Phyno revealed that ‘Time of My Life’with Arrdee was the first collaboration he did for the album. He flew to London and met Arrdee in the studio and the rest was history.
NSG jumped on stage with Phyno to perform their song together. The group is featured on the track ‘Pinterest’, which is also on the ‘Full Time Job’ album. The energy and presence was felt. The Afro swing influence and energy was all over the track and got the crowd moving.
Overall invite the album 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Full Time Job is available on all platforms to buy and stream now.
@TolaImad
Images from the web
