Nigerian singer, Konga, has opened up about how he inspired Phyno to rap in his native Igbo dialect.
Disclosing this on ‘The Honest Bunch’ podcast, Konga said he met Phyno through singer, Nigga Raw, in Lagos, where he was the lead artiste for Morgan Entertainment at the time.
Konga asked Phyno to showcase his rap skills, and after noticing his use of Igbo lines, he advised him to continue incorporating his native language into his music.
His words “Nigga Raw brought Phyno to come and meet us in Ajao Estate where we were having lunch that day. Phyno was very young at the time. So, me being a lead artiste in Morgan Entertainment I was like, Phyno, what’s up? Rap for me. And Phyno started in some American accent and later joined with some Igbo lines.
“I asked for his name again because I was not sure if it was Phyno he told me at the time. I asked him that ‘do you know the population of the Igbo community across the world?’ I asked if he had listened to my songs before. I told him that with his rap vibes, he could be the next big thing as an Igbo boy.
“I told him ‘you have style; why not do it like a normal street Igbo boy’. I did not know anything then; I just advised him. And he appreciated me because he is a very cool-headed guy who doesn’t speak too much.
“The next I heard was ‘Ndi Ala Ndi Ala’.”
Konga’s advice seemed to have had a lasting impact on Phyno, who has since become known for rapping in his native dialect. Phyno has stated that he raps in Igbo because he respects his culture and loves being himself.
