Nigerian singer Konga has revealed that he played a role in encouraging Phyno to rap in his native Igbo dialect.
Speaking on the Honest Bunch podcast, Konga recalled meeting Phyno through singer Mr. Raw in Lagos. At the time, Konga was the lead artiste for Morgan Entertainment.
According to him, Phyno initially rapped in an American-style flow but later mixed in some Igbo lines. Konga then advised him to embrace his native language fully.
“Nigga Raw brought Phyno to meet us at Ajao Estate. We were having lunch, and Phyno was still very young,” Konga said. “Since I was the lead artiste at Morgan Entertainment, I asked him to rap for me. He started with an American accent, then added some Igbo lines.”
Konga said he urged Phyno to focus on Igbo rap, emphasizing the large Igbo-speaking audience worldwide.
“I told him, ‘You have style, why not do it like a normal street Igbo boy?’ I didn’t know much then, I just gave him the advice,” Konga added. “The next thing I heard was Ndi Ala Ndi Ala.”
Phyno, who started his career as a producer in 2003, has previously said he raps in Igbo because he respects his culture and wants to stay true to himself.
