Rap music in Africa has grown at an incredible rate in the last 10 years and of course, Nigerian rap artists started this and have set the pace for others to follow.
Since M.I reawakened the rap music industry in Nigeria, we have gone on to produce some exceptional rap artists that have made huge impacts in the world of African rap. The likes of Ice Prince, Vector, Mode 9, Illbliss, Yung6ix, Jesse Jags, etc are among the many talents Nigeria has produced over the years.
However, there is one incredible talent who came in hot with hit single as features with the top Nigerian artists but after a while, he disappeared from the scene. This young man is called Phenom, and as the name replies, he was absolutely phenomenal.
Who is Phenom?
Topa ‘Phenom’ Onimowo is a Hip-Hop artist who was born in the Western part of Nigeria. He is the second child in a family of five and according to him; he fell in love with rap music at the age of 12 years. He studied Creative Arts at the University of Lagos, Nigeria and he describes music as a way of life rather than a passion. His mother was a police officer while his father was a banker.
Phenom’s Music Career
Phenom was discovered by his former record label, Knighthouse at an open mic session as far back as 2011. He was immediately signed up and he started dropping hit singles.
goin' way back with Omo Naija (2011) – @OtunbaPHENOM on #WayBackWednesday with #TheAmazing @suuperprince & @djmekzy#CityCafe
— CITY 105.1FM (@CITY1051) January 4, 2017
He blew our minds with hit songs like Murder Dem, Shukushuku Bambam, The Way where he featured Wizkid, Ashawo featuring Reminisce, Fo Je Le featuring Phyno and several others.
Np: @OtunbaPHENOM / @Iceprincezamani / @IamReminisce – IDFWE #OnAir with @DouglasJekan on the #SundayAfternoonShow
— THE BEAT 99.9FM (@THEBEAT999FM) October 30, 2016
He had songs with the highest rated artists in the industry and became an ambassador for telecom giants, Nokia. Who can forget when he schooled M.I on ‘Ilegal Music’ track 6ft7ft? Phenom had us excited and hungry for more.
So What Happened?
After turning down offers of record deals from Olamide and even Wizkid, Phenom’s career basically flew into the Bermuda triangle. His loyalty to the defunct Knighthouse apparently didn’t pay off so well and after his contract expired, he left the label. He has been quiet since then. Phenom revealed last year that he went blind for a while after leaving the label and he went through a lot to regain his sight.
A lot of people believe that if he had left Knighthouse while he was still blazing hot, he might have still been among the top players in the industry now. He had very few music videos and never got to release a full album in his over 4 years as a artist under Knighthouse.
What Next for Phenom
Phenom signed a record deal with Yung6ix former label, the rebranded Trick Billionaire MusiQ last year.
We hope to see something good from this talented artist sometime soon.
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