Veteran Nigerian singer Konga has revealed that he played a significant role in encouraging Phyno to embrace rapping in his native Igbo language. Speaking on The Honest Bunch podcast, Konga recounted how he met Phyno through rapper Mr. Raw (formerly Nigga Raw) and advised him to incorporate more of his dialect into his music.
According to Konga, the encounter took place in Ajao Estate, Lagos, when Phyno was still an upcoming artist. As the lead artiste at Morgan Entertainment at the time, Konga asked Phyno to freestyle.
“Phyno started rapping with some foreign accent but later added Igbo lines. I told him, ‘You have style; why not approach it like a regular street Igbo boy?’”
Konga explained that he encouraged Phyno to consider the global reach of the Igbo-speaking community, emphasizing that embracing his language could set him apart in the industry.
Shortly after their conversation, Konga recalled hearing Phyno’s song with the lyrics “Ndi Ala Ndi Ala”, which he believes reflected the advice he had given.
Phyno’s Journey in Indigenous Rap
Phyno, who began his career as a producer in 2003, has since become one of the most influential indigenous rappers in Nigeria. He has often stated that rapping in Igbo is his way of honoring his roots and staying authentic in the industry.
While Konga’s claim adds an interesting perspective to Phyno’s rise, the rap star himself has not yet responded to the revelation. However, fans continue to celebrate Phyno’s impact in making Igbo rap mainstream.
