In a recent interview on the Honest Bunch podcast, Nigerian singer Konga opened up about how he played a pivotal role in inspiring rap star Phyno to incorporate his native Igbo dialect into his music.
Konga, known for his hit song “Kabakaba,” shared the story of how he first met Phyno through fellow musician Mr. Raw in Lagos. At the time, Konga was the lead artiste at Morgan Entertainment, and Phyno was still a young, up-and-coming artist.
The singer recalls a memorable moment when Phyno rapped for him during a casual lunch gathering in Ajao Estate. Initially, Phyno rapped with an American accent, but Konga quickly noticed his seamless switch to Igbo lines in the performance. Encouraged by this, Konga offered the budding rapper a piece of advice that would go on to shape his career.
“I asked him, ‘Do you know the population of the Igbo community across the world?’” Konga recalled. “I told him, with his rap style, he could be the next big thing, especially as an Igbo boy. I suggested he embrace his roots and rap like a true street Igbo boy.”
Konga’s words seemed to resonate with Phyno, who, at the time, was still finding his voice in the industry. The young artist appreciated Konga’s guidance, as the two bonded over a shared vision of celebrating their culture through music.
“Phyno is a very cool-headed guy who doesn’t speak much,” Konga added. “He took the advice to heart, and soon after, I heard his track ‘Ndi Ala Ndi Ala,’ and I knew he’d found his sound.”
Phyno, who originally started his career as a producer in 2003, has long cited his native dialect as a key part of his artistic identity. In past interviews, he’s emphasized his love for his culture and his desire to stay true to himself by rapping in Igbo.
Today, Phyno is one of Nigeria’s most influential rappers, known for his unique blend of hip-hop and traditional Igbo language, earning him a massive fanbase both locally and internationally.
