Nigeria’s Phyno reflects on marriage and music: “a jealous career”

Nigerian rapper Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike, popularly known as Phyno, has shared his perspective on why celebrities often struggle to balance their careers and marriage. Speaking on a recent episode of the In My Opinion podcast, the Alobam hitmaker described music as a “jealous and tasking” career that demands total dedication, leaving little room for other commitments.

Phyno explained that the nature of the music industry makes it challenging to juggle marriage or any other career alongside it, often leading to a decline in some celebrities’ careers after marriage.

“Check everybody, statistically, I feel so [most celebrities’ careers crash when they get married],” Phyno stated. “Music basically is a jealous career. That’s why people drop out of school to face music. The ones that had to juggle the two, you have to give them kudos because it’s not easy.”

He added that the intense demands of a music career often require undivided attention. “Sometimes, some people get to a certain fame level and rush back to school and come back to continue from where they stopped because you have to actually face one. Music is tasking; it takes all your time,” he explained.

Phyno also highlighted the emotional toll that personal relationships can have on artists, especially those who write their own songs. “Another thing about music is that it is what you pass through that you put into it—life experiences—except if you use songwriters. But if you write your songs, you can’t be talking about happiness when you’ve got a girlfriend that’s stressing you,” he remarked.

The rapper’s candid insights have sparked conversations about the sacrifices required in the entertainment industry.