Phyno Biography (Updated 2025)
Full Name: Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike
Stage Name: Phyno (also known as Ezege or Phyno Fino)
Date of Birth: October 9, 1986
Age (as of December 15, 2025): 39 years old
Place of Birth: Enugu, Nigeria (native of Anambra State)
Phyno is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer renowned for pioneering indigenous Igbo rap, blending hip-hop with traditional Igbo highlife and cultural elements. As the founder of Penthauze Music, he remains a cornerstone of Nigerian hip-hop and Afrobeats.
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Born and raised in Enugu, Phyno (short for "phenomenal") grew up in a music-loving environment. He initially aspired to be a pilot or doctor but discovered his passion for music in secondary school, teaching himself drums and piano. He studied Public Administration at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) in Enugu, where he began profiting from production in his second year. Starting as a producer in 2003, he worked with artists like Timaya, Flavour, and Mr. Raw before transitioning to rapping in 2010 and relocating to Lagos.
Music Journey and Key Milestones
2012–2014: Breakthrough with "Ghost Mode" (feat. Olamide), winning Best Collabo at The Headies. Debut album No Guts No Glory featured hits like "Man of the Year" and "Parcel."
2015–2016: Joint album 2 Kings with Olamide; sophomore solo The Playmaker with tracks like "Fada Fada" (feat. Olamide).
The PlayMaker - Album by Phyno - Apple Music
2019: Deal with It, featuring "The Bag" and collaborations with Davido, Olamide, and Falz.
2021: Something to Live For.
2024: Fifth album Full Time Job – debuted at #1, featuring Burna Boy, ArrDee, and Chip; blended Igbo roots with global sounds.a0a36c
Phyno Taps into Love, Joy & Culture with "Full Time Job" feat ...
Phyno has hosted PhynoFest and performed at major events like Star Music Trek and Hennessy Artistry.23d046,1786fb,9b1bf5
2025 Highlights: Wrapping sold-out world tours post-Full Time Job; continued dominance in streaming and charts; praised as the "greatest Nigerian rapper" by peers like Erigga; ongoing collaborations and features maintaining his influence in Afrobeats' global rise.
Achievements include multiple Headies Awards, Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and recognition for elevating Igbo language in mainstream music.
Net Worth (2025)
Estimates vary across sources, but credible reports place Phyno's net worth at $10–15 million USD. Income sources include album sales, streaming royalties, sold-out tours, endorsements (e.g., Glo, Monster Energy), real estate, and his Penthauze label. Higher figures (up to $25M+) appear in some outlets, but conservative estimates align around $12M based on career longevity and assets.
Phyno's authentic fusion of culture and hip-hop continues to inspire, solidifying his legacy as a pioneer in Nigerian music as of late 2025.
