Phyzix has announced his return to music with an album titled Mthunzi. For someone who used to release music frequently, the two-year silence was loud. Our arts editor EDITH GONDWE caught up with the hip-hop artist for more. Excerpts:
Q: Tell us why it has taken you sometime to produce new music. You have a reputation of releasing music back to back and that has always worked for you. Explain the silence please?
A: ‘The silence was intentional. For the first time in a very long time, I felt the need to step away from the noise, step away from constantly feeding the algorithm, and reconnect with myself, my purpose, and my craft. For close to two years, I have been working quietly on my new album M phungu., and I wanted this season to feel different from anything I have done before. People are used to Phyzix releasing music back to back because consistency has always been part of my journey.
I have spent nearly two decades proving that I am one of the most hardworking artists in Malawi. But this time, I was not interested in simply being visible. I was interested in growth, depth, reinvention, and legacy. Sometimes as an artist, especially after many years in the industry, you reach a point where you must evolve or you risk becoming repetitive. I did not want to release music just for the sake of staying relevant. I wanted to create something meaningful, something timeless, something that truly represents where I am mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and artistically.
During the silence, I was writing, recording, reflecting, studying life, studying myself and rebuilding my vision. I was also balancing many responsibilities beyond music. I am a father, a banker, a leader within the music industry, and an entrepreneur. So I needed time to align all those parts of my life properly. The silence also helped me observe the industry and understand the power of mystery again. We live in a generation where artists feel pressured to always post, always trend, always respond. But sometimes silence is powerful. Sometimes growth happens away from the spotlight. An eagle rises above the noise. That is part of the philosophy behind Mphungu. Another important thing is that this album demanded time. I gave it my all. I challenged myself creatively, lyrically, emotionally, and conceptually. I worked with intention on every detail, from the songwriting to the sequencing, production, visuals, and overall direction. This was not an album I wanted to rush. So the silence was not absence. It was preparation. It was transformation. It was rebuilding. And now that I am returning, I believe people will understand why I had to disappear for a while.
Q:Tell us in a layman’s language about the Mphungu concept. What does it stand for in your music and this particular project?
A: Mphungu. is more than just an album title. It is a mindset, a symbol, and a representation of where I am in life right now. In simple terms, “Mphungu” means an eagle. And when you study an eagle, you realise it is not just a beautiful bird. It represents vision, elevation, strength, patience, leadership, and survival. Eagles fly above storms instead of running away from them. They do not move in crowds. They observe quietly. They strike with precision. That philosophy connected deeply with me personally and artistically. For this project, Mphungu represents growth and transformation. After almost twenty years in music, I felt I was entering a different phase of life. Not just as an artist, but as a man, a father, a leader, and an entrepreneur. I am no longer motivated by noise, competition, or trying to prove myself every day. I am now more focused on purpose, legacy, wisdom, ownership, and impact. This album reflects that journey. Some songs are aggressive and confident. Some are emotional and vulnerable. Some are reflective and spiritual. Some celebrate success and survival. Others speak about pressure, responsibility, relationships, masculinity, mental battles, and the realities of life. So the eagle becomes the perfect symbol because it captures both strength and solitude. Another important thing about the Mphungu concept is perspective. Eagles see farther than most birds. They operate from a higher view. In the same way, this project is about learning to rise above distractions, negativity, temporary trends and limitations. It is about seeing life differently and moving with intention. Even the silence before this album was part of the concept. Eagles do not make noise all the time. Sometimes they disappear, rebuild, and return stronger. That is exactly what happened with me creatively. Musically, I also wanted the project to feel elevated. The production is cinematic, intentional, and layered. The writing is deeper. The storytelling is more mature. The visuals are symbolic. Everything was designed to make listeners feel like they are entering a complete world, not just listening to random songs. So, in a layman’s language, Mphungu simply means rising above. Rising above pressure, above doubt, above fear, above noise, and above limitations. It is about becoming the highest version of yourself while still remaining grounded in where you come from. That is what this album stands for.
Q: You have been in the industry for close to 20 years. What’s your secret to staying relevant?
A:Yes, it has been close to twenty years now, which is honestly a blessing because the music industry is one of the hardest industries to survive in. Trends change quickly, audiences evolve, and every year there is new talent coming in. So, for an artist to remain relevant for that long requires more than just talent. I think the first secret is consistency. I never disappeared mentally from the game even during difficult seasons. There were times when things were not perfect financially, emotionally, or professionally, but I kept creating, kept showing up, and kept believing in my journey. Longevity is not built in one big moment. It is built through discipline over many years. The second thing is adaptability. I have managed to grow with the times without losing my identity. I started in the CD era, survived the ringtone era, moved into downloads, then streaming, social media, TikTok, YouTube and now the digital era. Many artists struggle because they either refuse to evolve or they completely lose themselves trying to chase trends. I have always tried to balance evolution with authenticity. Another important factor is reinvention. Every phase of my career has had a different energy. From Cholapitsa, to Gamba, to the more mature music I make now, people have been able to grow with me. I never wanted to become predictable. Even this new Mphungu era is another reinvention. It reflects a more mature, reflective, strategic, and elevated version of Phyzix. I also believe relevance comes from substance. Beyond catchy songs, people connect to honesty and real experiences. Over the years, I have spoken about ambition, struggle, relationships, pressure, survival, faith, success, criticism, and everyday Malawian life. That creates a deeper connection with listeners because they see parts of themselves in the music. Another thing that has helped me is resilience. I have faced criticism throughout my career. In fact, at one point, many people labelled me as one of the most criticised rappers in Malawi. But instead of allowing negativity to destroy me, I used it as fuel. I learned that in this industry, emotional control is very important. Not every battle deserves a response. Sometimes the best response is consistency and results. I have also never limited myself to only being “a musician.” I am a banker, entrepreneur, father, and leader within the creative industry. Those experiences give me balance and perspective. They also help me grow as a person, and that growth reflects in the music. Most importantly, I think staying relevant comes from understanding purpose. Early in your career, you may chase attention and validation. But with time, you realise legacy matters more. Right now, I am more focused on impact, influence, ownership, and building something that lasts beyond trends. At the end of the day, relevance is not about making noise every day. It is about continuing to matter. And I believe people have continued to connect with my story because it is built on authenticity, resilience, growth, and consistency over time.
Q: Any additional information?
A: I would also like people to understand that Mphungu. is not just another album release for me. It is one of the most personal and intentional projects I have ever created. I took my time because I wanted the music to truly reflect growth, maturity, struggle, resilience, and vision. This project represents a new chapter creatively and personally. It reflects the experiences of a man who has spent nearly two decades in the public eye while balancing music, family, leadership, business, and corporate life. So listeners will hear different sides of me on this album. There is confidence, vulnerability, spirituality, pain, celebration, reflection, love, social commentary, and motivation. I also want to appreciate the people who have supported me throughout the years. Longevity is impossible without supporters, fellow artists, producers, DJs, journalists, promoters, and the media. Malawi has helped shape my journey, and I do not take that love for granted. At the same time, I hope this project inspires young creatives to understand that success is not always instant. Sometimes growth takes years.
