UP Music: New Album Alert - PHY’s ‘PHYLOSOPHY’, An Authentic Experience
Phy’s diminutive size hides her huge personality and larger than life voice, which has won her fans across East Africa. She was the runner-up of the Airtel Trace Music Star competition and was one of the 6 Kenyan acts featured in the Airtel Jam Sessions, which showcased buzz-worthy artists to watch.
She also emerged top on the first season of the Endemol/Multichoice produced Maisha Super Star TV series and won 1.2 Million shillings as well as a Record deal valued at 3.5 Million Shillings with Kenyan Record Label: EnnovatorMusic/Kaka Empire.
Talking about PHYLOSOPHY, Phy had this to say:
“Working on the album has been my greatest blessing yet. The dream comes true for a girl born in tiny village in Sotik, which proves anything is possible if put your mind to it. I have given my raw authentic self to this and I believe my world will collide with that of the listener creating a magical experience.”
PHY noted that her key lessons through her musical journey was how to reach her fans and be strategic with her music, “The business side of it made me realize how important it is to vary my target market and also be smart about my product and its launch. A large part of why a show like Maisha is amazing is because I was able to build new relationships with heavy weights in the industry that I look forward to working with. No man is an island and networking is important.”
Her obvious intelligence and talent coupled with a team of hard workers backing her, her debut album is bound to be a masterpiece. It is a collection of upbeat yet soulful Afro-pop songs with R&B influences, featuring collaborations with Khaligraph Jones, Rabbit King Kaka, Kagwe Mungai, and with production from Tim “timwork” Rimbui, Jaaz Odongo and Saint P, the ten track album is one that you will be listening for years to come.
With such a line-up, who would want to miss out on this?
“This is kind of music that I wait to hear every day. Pure urban, very calculated, pure talent. Phy is a Kenyan urban phenomenon, Khali is a King of punch lines, and Rabbit is a storyteller. This is my jam for now. The clubs are about to go crazy,” notes Coke Studio Africa’s Buddha Blaze on her recently released single, Ruka.
For PR queen, Anyiko Owoko, PHY’s vocals stand out,
“Phy’s vocal prowess on her debut single ‘Ruka’ and the rest of the album, marks the emergence of one of Kenya’s music powerhouses to watch in the decade. It’s also the return of the masterful #timwork on production that promises to shape Kenya’s futuristic urban sound. Everyone, listen to Phy.”
With such a backing from some of the music industry elites, PHY is extremely humbled. “I believe that one should push themselves to exceed what they are capable of. There is a gap in Kenya of great urban female singers and I want to step in the void, not only for myself but for younger girls in Kenya. Being an upstanding role model is important to me. I want to give hope with my music.”
Radio queens, Adelle Onyango and Amina Abdi seem to agree. Amina adds, “Ruka is a very catchy song that has dared to go a completely different route to what we are used to in the Kenyan music scene. Khali & Rabbit kill it on the song but Phy still commands your attention with her vocals”.
Adelle drums the point in, “It’s such a refreshing sound. I think her strong voice and quirky character is exactly what Africa needs!”
