By Timothy Ntilosanje
Marketing and banking may be his day job but Phyzix’s (real name Noel Limbani Chikoleka) talent for hip-hop and urban music will propel him to the international stage.
Originally from Lilongwe’s Area 25, Phyzix, 28, is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing currently working fulltime with Opportunity Bank (OIBM) as a Marketing Officer, which makes it challenging for the rapper to work on his studio projects. But this didn’t stop the rapper from releasing his Gamba wa Suit album in May last year.
The 7-track album came with a bang with tracks like Mwa Chibwana which features Eddie, ChiNyimbo ft Gwamba, Martse and Emm Q. Phamwamwa ft Janta, Ineyo Ndilemera ft Krazie-G, Chikondi Chokoma ft. Eddie, Lady Pace and Jessie, Patricia ft Janta. All these songs are enjoying good airplay on many of the country’s radio stations and beyond.
Phyzix has recently received criticism from many quarters including The Nation Newspaper for his nomination in the Hip-Hop category at the 2nd Annual Music Malawi Awards which will take place on Friday, 27th February 2015 at the Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe. The article which was published in the national daily quoted that Phyzix was nominated for the award despite being inactive in the music industry.
When contacted to comment on the allegations, Phyzix said he was shocked when he read article, “I feel the article was not well researched, for example I have released great music last year like the household song Mwa Chibwana, which is a definite hit song, in fact all of the tracks from the Gamba Wa Suit album which I released last year got thousands of downloads on Malawi’s number one music website Malawi-Music.com and they are enjoying good radio play and club spins” said the rapper, expressing disbelief that people cannot acknowledge his hard work in the Malawi music industry.
He continued by saying “I have a full time job, I have a business to run, school plus farming, but I still make music because it is my passion. These days I only record a few songs that will make an impact, a few collaborations with the right people, a few shows that are major such as the Cassper Nyovest Show which is the biggest show as of late (2015). I am climbing up the corporate ladder as a professional so I don't have time to be at every show or record a lot of songs. Plus I’m no longer all over the place. That was Gamba. But Gamba wa Suit is classy and reserved.”
“During the time that is being said that I was inactive, I was contracted by a commercial bank to compose and perform a theme song at various events. Apart from that, I am working with a youth empowerment organization on a project for orphans and refugees. I am also negotiating record deals with a number of labels including Ben Sam Entertainment, what record label will sign an inactive artist? I am part of the A Team and been making appearances at all shows involving the A-Team. The A-Team comprises of Gwamba, Phyzix, Third Eye, Krazie-G, Martse, Dali, Blaze, Mwanache, Ben Sam, Sagonjah and AK.”
“I made a successful comeback in the history of Malawi Hip Hop, my comeback has been stronger than I was originally which is a hard thing to do.”
“Very few people come back better. Hip-Hop is very competitive, so I feel that I deserve both the nomination and to win the award. I am very confident that I will win. The world loves me. I connect with people. But otherwise win or lose, my mother told me I am a great musician and the nomination itself speaks volumes and it is well deserved.”The Mwa Chibwana star further said he will be releasing Bayum Thiii with Dali, Gwamba, Martse, Krazie G, and Blaze under Ben Sam Entertainment which he guarantees that it will be hit of the year. He also stated that he is working on a new song with Barry One, and another one with Gwamba and music videos will follow for himself and the A-Team.
Phyzix has collaborated and worked with UK's Sway of Konvict Music, UK's Dekker & Johan(Radioclit), The Very Best,KoNd-1, Zinja, Tapps Bandawe, Tay Grin, Theo Thomson, Young Kay, Lulu, Piksy, Anne Matumbi, Daredevils, Third Eye, Dominant 1, Tigris and Jinx just to mention a few. He has shared a stage with Somalia's gem; K'naan during the 2010 World Cup viewing.
He has performed at Lake of Stars International Music festival, WAPi (Words and Pictures), Domestic Tourism Music festival, La fete de la Musique (French Music festival) including a lot of shows in localities such as Karonga, Chitipa, Mzuzu, Zomba, Nkhatabay, Lilongwe, Salima, Mangochi and Blantyre.
He has released 3 mixtapes and 3 albums: The Overdue, Black stars don't shine, From the Dust, his day view album; The Lone Ranger, sophomore album: Secret Service, and Gamba wa Suit which will be officially launched this year with music videos, and a short album will follow later this year.
SMS "hop5" to 58411 (Airtel only) to VOTE for PHYZIX as BEST HIP HOP artist at the MUSIC MALAWI AWARDS (MUMA). Each SMS costs K25.
Stream and download Phyzix’s Gamba wa Suit here http://m.malawi-music.com/album.php?id=455
Also watch Phyzix’s Performance at Ryalls Hotel in Blantyre below
