No Guts No Glory (Phyno album)

No Guts No Glory
Studio album by Phyno
Released March 20, 2014[1]
Recorded 2012–2014
Genre
Label
  • Sputnet Records
  • Penthauze Music
Producer
  • Phyno
  • Major Bangz
  • Wizzy Pro
  • Chopstix
  • JStunt
Phyno chronology

No Guts No Glory
(2014)		 2 Kings
(2015)
Singles from No Guts No Glory
  1. "Ghost Mode"
    Released: September 25, 2012[2]
  2. "Man of the Year (Obago)"
    Released: March 23, 2013[3]
  3. "Parcel"
    Released: October 11, 2013[4]
  4. "O Set"
    Released: March 4, 2014[5]

No Guts No Glory (often stylized as NGNG) is the debut studio album by Nigerian rapper Phyno, released by Sputnet Records and Penthauze Music on March 20, 2014.[1] It features guest appearances from P-Square, Omawumi, Olamide, Stormrex, Efa, Flavour N'abania, Runtown, Ice Prince, M.I, Mr. Raw, Timaya and Illbliss. Phyno enlisted Major Bangz, Wizzy Pro, Chopstix and JStunt to assist with production. Initially scheduled for a November 2013 release, the album was strategically pushed back in order to capitalize on the downtime of the Nigerian Music Industry during the first quarter of the year.[6]

Preceding the album's release were the singles "Ghost Mode", "Man of the Year", "Parcel" and "O Set". No Guts No Glory was primarily recorded in the Igbo language and Nigerian Pidgin. Critical reception to No Guts No Glory was generally positive; many critics commended the album's indigenous sound and lyrical depth.

Background and composition

On March 15, 2014, Phyno released the album's cover art and track listing.[7] He promoted the album by rolling out several tee shirts with the #NGNG logo attached to it.[8] Phyno narrated his life story in a hilarious manner on the album's intro. "Alobam" is an ode to his friends who have contributed to his success. The instrumental of "Alobam" is a cross between Drake's "Worst Behavior" and Olamide's "Sitting on the throne". "Good Die Young" samples Marvin Gaye and is a tribute to the friends Phyno lost to diseases, accident and armed robbery. "Nme Nme" is a groovy highlife throwback song about life's enjoyment, while "Chukwu Na Enye" is a highlife song with a gospel feel. Nigeria's rich language diversity is displayed on "Aju (She Know It)".[9][10][11]

Singles

"Ghost Mode" was released as the album's lead single on September 25, 2012.[12] The song features Olamide and was released to critical acclaim. It won Best Collabo at both the 2012 The Headies Awards and 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. The music video for "Ghost Mode" was released on December 7, 2012. It was shot and directed in Lagos by Clarence Peters.[13]

Sputnet Records released "Man of the Year (Obago)" as the album's second single on March 23, 2013.[14] The song, which was produced by Phyno, managed to win the Best Rap Single category at the 2012 The Headies Awards. The music video for "Man of the Year (Obago)" was uploaded onto YouTube on August 20, 2013. It was also shot and directed by Clarence Peters in Abakpa Nike, and features a cameo appearance from Illbliss. In September 2013, the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation banned the music video from being broadcast.[15]

"Parcel", the third single off the album, was released on October 11, 2013. The song was originally titled "Parcel (a BIG Nwa)". The music video for "Parcel" was released on February 19, 2014 and shot by Clarence Peters. On March 4, 2014, "O Set" was announced as the album's fourth single. The song was produced by WizzyPro and features P-Square.[16] The music video for the song was directed by Jude Engees Okoye and uploaded onto YouTube at approximately 4 minutes.[17]

Other releases

On May 22, 2014, Phyno released the music video for "Alobam" which was directed by Clarence Peters. The song, which is an Igbo slang for "My Guy", was produced by Major Bangz. In the video, Phyno paid tribute to some of his peers including Ice Prince, Flavour, P-Square, Olamide and J Martins.[18] On September 2, 2014, Phyno released the Clarence Peters directed visuals to his "Authe (Authentic)" song with Flavour N'abania.[19]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Nigerian Entertainment Today [11]

No Guts No Glory was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Chiagoziem Onyekwena of Nigerian Entertainment Today gave the album 4.1 out of 5 stars, adding: "Even before that album comes, NGNG is destined to have an impact of its own – by widening the landscape of indigenous Nigerian Hip-Hop. That’s what Phyno has been able to do for the culture. What he has been able to do for himself however is demonstrate enough consistency to show that his hit streak from 2012 -2014 was no fluke and that he can be the man, not only for these years but also, for the years to come."[11]

Wilfred Okiche of YNaija concluded: "If only ‘NGNG’ were better arranged and all those fillers cut to a tight 12 or 13 tracks, it would have been an instant contender for album of the year. Phyno makes some dubious decisions instead and dilutes the punch hinted at by the title. While the choice of songs are, understandable and maybe even necessary, ‘NGNG’ will have to settle for a different kind of honor."[10]

Joey Akan of Pulse said: "NGNG album sure works. For a debut effort at compilation, Phyno has for the most part pressed all the right buttons. This album is way more than a compilation of songs. It’s importance far outweighs the personal benefits for Phyno. It is a testament to the emerging trend (that indigenous rappers are the cool kids on the block), in Nigerian music."[9]

Obina Agwu, whose review was posted on Premium Times, concluded that "at some point, Phyno fell for the common industry misconception that an album MUST parade big names; even when they do not add any tangible creative value. Overall, though, I believe No Guts No Glory is a solid debut rap album. Phyno put in serious work into the project and that much is evident."[20]

Accolades

No Guts No Glory was nominated for Rap Album of the Year at the 2014 City People Entertainment Awards.[21] The album was also nominated for Best Rap Album and Album of the Year at the The Headies 2014.[22]

Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Results
2014 The Headies Best Rap Album Nominated
Album of the Year Nominated
City People Entertainment Awards Rap Album of the Year Nominated

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Intro (Chibuzo)" (featuring Stormrex)
  • Azubuike Nelson
  • Stormrex
Major Bangz 2:28
2. "Alobam"  Azubuike NelsonMajor Bangz 4:37
3. "O Set" (featuring P-Square)
  • Azubuike Nelson
  • Peter and Paul Okoye
Wizzy Pro 3:56
4. "Nme Nme"  Azubuike NelsonMajor Bangz 3:17
5. "Man of the Year (Obago)"  Azubuike NelsonPhyno 3:21
6. "Chukwu Na Enye" (featuring Omawumi)
  • Azubuike Nelson
  • Omawumi Megbele
Phyno 4:36
7. "Aju (She Know It)" (featuring Olamide and Efa)
  • Azubuike Nelson
  • Olamide Adedeji
  • Efa Iwara
Major Bangz 4:54
8. "Parcel Skit" (featuring Chigurl)Chioma Omeruah— 1:39
9. "Parcel"  Azubuike NelsonMajor Bangz 3:57
10. "Kush Music"  Azubuike NelsonPhyno 4:28
11. "Authe (Authentic)" (featuring Flavour N'abania)
  • Azubuike Nelson
  • Chinedu Okoli
JStunt 3:18
12. "Anamachi Versace" (featuring Runtown)
  • Azubuike Nelson
  • Douglas Jack-Agu
Wizzy Pro 3:14
13. "Good Die Young"  Azubuike NelsonMajor Bangz 3:11
14. "Ojigi"  Azubuike NelsonJStunt 4:07
15. "Icholiya" (featuring Ice Prince and M.I)
  • Azubuike Nelson
  • Panshak Zamani
  • Jude Abaga
Chopstix 4:12
16. "Shey U Know"  Azubuike NelsonMajor Bangz 3:43
17. "Ghost Mode" (featuring Olamide)
  • Azubuike Nelson
  • Olamide Adedeji
Phyno 3:50
18. "Holiday" (featuring Runtown)
  • Azubuike Nelson
  • Douglas Jack-Agu
Phyno 4:19
Notes
Samples

Personnel

  • Azubuike Nelson - Main artist, producer, writer, performer
  • Major Bangz - Producer
  • Wizzy Pro - Producer
  • Chopstix - Producer
  • JStunt - Producer
  • Stormrex - Featured artist, writer
  • Peter and Paul Okoye - Featured artist, writer
  • Omawumi Megbele - Featured artist, writer
  • Olamide Adedeji - Featured artist, writer
  • Efa Iwara - Featured artist, writer
  • Chinedu Okoli - Featured artist, writer
  • Douglas Jack-Agu - Featured artist, writer
  • Panshak Zamani - Featured artist, writer
  • Jude Abaga - Featured artist, writer
  • Ukeje Okechukwu - Featured artist, writer
  • Enetimi Odom - Featured artist, writer
  • Tobechukwu Ejiofor - Featured artist, writer
  • Chioma Omeruah - Writer, skit
  • The Goretti Company - Management

Release history

Country/Digital platform Date Version Format Label
  • Nigeria
  • iTunes
 March 20, 2014 Standard
  • Sputnet Records
  • Penthauze Music

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "No Guts No Glory (Bonus Track Version)". iTunes. 20 March 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  2. ↑ "PREMIERE: Phyno ft Olamide – GhostMode". NotjustOk.com. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "PREMIERE: Phyno – Man of The Year (Obago)". NotjustOk.com. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  4. ↑ "PREMIERE: Phyno – Parcel (a BIG Nwa)". NotjustOk.com. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  5. ↑ "Oh Set (feat. P-Square) - Single". iTunes. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  6. ↑ Enemigin, Oritseneye (11 November 2013). "Phyno Says No Guts No Glory To Drop in 2014". Hip Hop World Magazine. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  7. ↑ "Check Out Phyno’s #NoGutsNoGlory Full Album Tracklist". Fuse. 15 March 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  8. ↑ Chard, Phil (13 June 2014). "Phyno – Alobam [Official Video]". The African Hip Hop Blog. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Akan, Joey (4 April 2014). "Music: Phyno: No Guts; No Glory". National Mirror. Pulse. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Okiche, Wilfred. "Album review: Phyno’s ‘No guts, no glory’ is the feel good album of the year". YNaija. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Onyekwena, Chiagoziem (24 March 2014). "Say Hello To The Man of the Year – Phyno (Album Review)". Nigerian Entertainment Today.
  12. ↑ O, Ovie (25 September 2012). "PREMIERE: Phyno ft Olamide – GhostMode". NotjustOk. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  13. ↑ "New Video: Phyno Feat. Olamide – Ghost Mode". Bellanaija. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  14. ↑ "PREMIERE: Phyno – Man of The Year (Obago)". NotjustOk. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  15. ↑ "NBC bans Wizkid & Phyno’s song: “Olamide & Wande Coal should be banned too” Charles Novia reacts". Royal Times. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  16. ↑ "Phyno ft. P-Square – O Set (Pro. WizzyPro)". NotjustOk. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  17. ↑ "Watch Phyno x P-Square’s ‘O Set’ Video". Okay Africa. 8 June 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  18. ↑ Okoth-Obbo, Vanessa (28 March 2014). "Phyno Hits The Streets In ‘Alobam’". Okay Africa. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  19. ↑ "VIDEO: Phyno Feat. Flavour - Authe". Naij News. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  20. ↑ Abimboye, Micheal (27 March 2014). "Album Review: Phyno’s No Guts No Glory, By Obina Agwu". Premium Times. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  21. ↑ Jasanya, Olamide (24 June 2014). "Who won what at City People Entertainment Awards 2014". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  22. ↑ Ochugba, Mary (10 October 2014). "The Headies unveils 2014 nominees". Business Day. Retrieved 17 October 2014.