Nicholas Ihua-Maduenyi, popularly known as PsychoYP, is a Nigerian alternative hip hop rapper, singer, and songwriter. He was born on 28th October 1998 in Abuja, Nigeria, and hails from Rivers State. Together with other talented artists, he is a member of the music collective, Apex Village. PsychoYP’s critically acclaimed mixtape, YPSZN, earned him a nomination at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) and the Headies for his second mixtape album YPSZN2. Dubbed the “The Fresh Prince of Nigerian Rap,” PsychoYP is considered one of Nigeria’s rap music pioneers in the alté music scene.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nicholas Ihua-Maduenyi |
| Stage Name | PsychoYP |
| Date of Birth | October 28, 1998 |
| Place of Birth | Abuja, Nigeria |
| Hometown | Rivers State, Nigeria |
| Music Genre | Alternative Hip Hop |
| Role | Rapper, Singer, Songwriter |
| Music Collective | Apex Village |
| Notable Mixtape | YPSZN |
| Awards and Nominations | Nominated at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) and The Headies |
| Label | Self-released |
| Albums | Euphoria, YP & Azanti, Vol. 1, YPSZN2, National Anthem EP, Pay Up, Don’t Be Foolish EP |
| Latest Singles | Dangerous World, Scandalous, Put It in Stone, Relax, Commitment Issues, Nigerian Man, My Country People, Haffa?, Silent Mode, IC3, Ok, Alright, Bando Diaries, Drop That |
| Notable Collaborations | Blaqbonez, Ycee, BOJ, Terri, Nathalie Sade, Dami Oniru, Ayüü, Zilla Oaks, Ladipoe, Skales, Trill Tega, Rasstokyo, J Molley, PatricKxxLee, Alpha P, Laycon, Wurld, Terry Apala, King Perryy |
| Nickname | “The Fresh Prince of Nigerian Rap” |
Early Life
PsychoYP’s love for music began when he found like-minded friends with a passion for it. They discovered where to record and produce their music. He knew that music was for him when he started creating what would become PsychoYP’s sound in 2016. His mother’s love for Nigerian music, as well as music from other African countries and foreign music, inspired him. He and his siblings would listen to P-Square, Michael Jackson, Drake, and Lil Wayne on repeat every weekend.
Career
PsychoYP launched his music career in 2016 as a rapper on SoundCloud, using the moniker Psycho, while he was based in Manchester, England. He released his EP “Lost In The Sauce” on 26th August 2016. The following year, YP and Kuddi is Dead released a collaborative 4-track EP “This Is What You Wanted” on 21st May 2017. He then released “YPSZN” on 8th June 2018, featuring guest appearances from Fasina, Marv OTM, Denzel Oaks, Zilla Oaks, and Remy Baggins. The project spawned the hit track “Oga”. He followed up with a music video for “Oga” on 28th October 2018, directed by Kuddi is Dead and Lekinson.
On 22nd March 2019, he released “Oga (remix)” featuring Blaqbonez and Ycee. On 4th November 2019, he released “YPSZN2,” which featured guest appearances from BOJ, Terri, Nathalie Sade, Dami Oniru, Ayüü, Zilla Oaks, Ladipoe, Skales, and Blaqbonez. He then went on to release his self-titled debut EP, “YP & Azanti, Vol. 1,” with Azanti on 12th November 2020. The extended play spawned the minor hit tracks “Caro” and “Focused.” On 11th March 2021, the official music video for “Caro” was released, directed by Cindy Ihua, and produced through Ceeander Entertainment and Legacy Films.
On 26th August 2021, YP released his first solo EP, “Euphoria,” featuring guest appearances from Trill Tega, Rasstokyo, J Molley, PatricKxxLee, and Alpha P. He headlined his first Lagos concert at Hard Rock Cafe in Nigeria on 20th December 2021, featuring guest appearances from Blaqbonez, Dremo, Laycon, Wurld, Alpha P, Terry Apala, Laime, Mojo, SGaWD, King Perryy, and many more.
Achievements
PsychoYP’s music career has been on the rise, and he has received recognition and several award nominations. In 2019, he was nominated for Best Alternative
PsychoYP Songs and Albums
Albums:
- Euphoria
- YP & Azanti, Vol. 1
- YPSZN3 Album
- YPSZN2 Album
- National Anthem EP
- Pay Up, Don’t Be Foolish EP
Latest Singles:
- Dangerous World by PsychoYP (2022)
- Scandalous by PsychoYP (2022)
- Put It in Stone by PsychoYP (2022)
- Relax by PsychoYP (2022)
- Commitment Issues by PsychoYP (2022)
- Nigerian Man by PsychoYP (2022)
- My Country People, Haffa? by PsychoYP (2022)
- Silent Mode by PsychoYP (2022)
- IC3 by PsychoYP (2022)
- Ok, Alright by PsychoYP (2022)
- Bando Diaries by PsychoYP (2022)
- Drop That by PsychoYP
PsychoYP FAQs
Q: Who is PsychoYP?
A: PsychoYP, whose real name is Nicholas Ihua-Maduenyi, is a Nigerian alternative hip hop rapper, singer, and songwriter.
Q: When was PsychoYP born?
A: PsychoYP was born on October 28th, 1998 in Abuja, Nigeria.
Q: What is PsychoYP’s most critically acclaimed mixtape?
A: PsychoYP’s most critically acclaimed mixtape is YPSZN, which earned him a nomination at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) and the Headies.
Q: What is PsychoYP’s music background?
A: PsychoYP’s love for music began when he found like-minded friends with a passion for it. His mother’s love for Nigerian music, as well as music from other African countries and foreign music, also inspired him.
Q: What is PsychoYP’s debut EP?
A: PsychoYP’s debut EP is “Lost In The Sauce,” which he released on August 26th, 2016.
Q: What are some of PsychoYP’s hit tracks?
A: PsychoYP’s hit tracks include “Oga,” “Caro,” and “Focused.”
Q: What are some of PsychoYP’s latest singles?
A: Some of PsychoYP’s latest singles include “Dangerous World,” “Scandalous,” “Put It in Stone,” “Relax,” and “Commitment Issues.”
Q: What awards has PsychoYP been nominated for?
A: In 2019, PsychoYP was nominated for Best Alternative at the Headies.
