NIGERIAN RAP ICON PHYNO AND UK RAP STAR ARRDEE LINK UP FOR CROSS-CULTURAL DIALOGUE ON ‘TIME OF MY LIFE’
Award-winning Nigerian rap icon PHYNO returns to the spotlight with his brand single ‘TIME OF MY LIFE’ featuring platinum-selling UK rap sensation ARRDEE. This cross-cultural collaboration showcases Phyno’s mastery of indigenous rap and ArrDee’s infectious wordplay, as it blends Phyno’s Southern Nigerian dialect and Igbo cultural heritage with ArrDee’s cheeky Brighton personality, over a woozy bass heavy synth-laden soundscape. The track is a celebration of confidence and lyrical prowess, with Phyno reaffirming his role as one of Africa’s leading hip-hop artists, and ArrDee, who has rapidly risen in the UK rap scene in the past few years, complements Phyno’s style with his high-energy delivery and even adds a sprinkle of the Igbo language into his bars, creating a dynamic fusion of cultures.
Produced by JaySynths who has also worked with Burna Boy, OneRepublic, and CKay, among others, ‘Time of My Life’ is more than just a celebration of artistic talent; it’s an anthem of celebrating success, enjoying life, and living in the moment. Phyno uses the track to highlight his roots while pushing the boundaries of hip-hop and afrobeats, seamlessly blending both genres, while ArrDee’s playful yet hard-hitting flow matches Phyno’s confidence and self-assuredness – together, they create an infectious and celebratory vibe that exudes success, power, and enjoyment. Their collaboration reflects a perfect synergy between Nigerian hip-hop and UK rap, not only making it a cross-cultural anthem of success, but also a standout track that will resonate with audiences across continents.
As Phyno prepares for the release of his highly anticipated fifth studio album Full Time Job via his own Penthauze Music record label, his new ‘Time of My Life’ collaboration with ArrDee serves as a bold declaration of his intent to stake a definitive claim to global rap domination. The track showcases his versatility and drive to compete on an international level, building on his decade-long reign at the top of Africa’s hip-hop landscape. With this new offering in the lead up to his Full Time Job album, Phyno once again proves his ability to transcend cultural boundaries while staying true to his indigenous roots. ‘Time of My Life’ is an exciting preview of what’s to come from the Nigerian rap legend, as he continues to elevate his craft, and cement his legacy in the music industry in Africa and across the world.
MORE ABOUT PHYNO
Award-winning rap phenom PHYNO is an iconic figure in Nigerian music, known for his seminal and captivating fusion of indigenous rap and afrobeats. With a career spanning over a decade, Phyno has established himself as one of Africa’s most influential artists, pushing the boundaries of contemporary African music while staying true to his Igbo roots. His journey began in Enugu, where he discovered his passion for music production during his high school days. Influenced by rap legends like 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G., alongside Nigerian trailblazers like Mr. Raw, Phyno set out to merge his love for rap with the rich cultural sounds of his indigenous heritage, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Phyno’s breakthrough came in 2012 with the release of ‘Ghost Mode’, a now-classic collaboration with Olamide, which became a cultural milestone in the Nigerian music scene. His debut album No Guts, No Glory followed in 2014, delivering hits like ‘Man of the Year’ and ‘O Set’, and cementing his place as a leader in West African indigenous rap. Over the years, Phyno has consistently evolved his sound, releasing critically acclaimed albums, which showcased his versatility by blending highlife, afrobeats, and rap, including 2016’s The Playmaker, led by cult classics ‘Fada Fada’ and ‘Connect’, and his last album Something To Live For in 2021, which reflected his growth as both an artist and cultural figure.
Over the years, Phyno has also expanded his influence beyond his music. As the founder and CEO of the record label Penthauze, he is helping to shape the careers of the next generation of Nigerian superstars. He is also the founder of PhynoFest, one of Africa’s biggest music festivals. Making its debut in 2015, the annual festival now brings the best of Nigerian music, including previous headliners Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, and Mr Eazi, to over 50,000 teeming fans at the renowned Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. With ‘Time of My Life’ out now, and his next album Full Time Job on the way, Phyno is once again pushing the envelope, and setting the stage for even greater global music dominance.