Penyani Paul Phiri, professionally known as Paul Payne837, is a highly acclaimed Zambian recording artist, songwriter, colourist, and visual content creator hailing from the vibrant city of Lusaka, Zambia. Renowned for his exceptional versatility across multiple genres including Afro beats, hip hop, and dance music e.t.c, Paul Payne837 has captivated audiences with his unique musical prowess.
The breakthrough in his career came with the much-anticipated release of his debut mixtape, "Makenika Mixtape," in 2016. Collaborating with esteemed artists such as ThatBoyMassin, Sobre, God's Apple, Jo-Z Jay, Ricco Jamaal, IamFold from the United States, Steve Rawd, Nbuzz from Nigeria, and Rootz, Paul Payne837's mixtape gained significant momentum. The mixtape, expertly produced by Gravity 9inety 6ix (now known as DMSTRY), Shinko Beats, Ojo, Shom-C, Steve Rawd, Kasezya, and Chill, quickly garnered international attention, receiving widespread airplay in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and beyond.
Notably, his hit track "Go & Glow" from the mixtape secured him the esteemed "Best Collaboration" award in Zambia, solidifying his position as a rising star within the industry. Building upon this success, Paul Payne837 released his debut EP, "War," in 2018, which featured the captivating lead single "Nakupenza." The song's irresistible appeal created a wave of excitement among fans worldwide, leading to the viral #NakupenzaSeason hashtag as the go-to selfie caption. Achieving chart success, "Nakupenza" made its mark on international platforms, reaching an impressive third place on Liveway Radio in Nigeria, Salt FM in the United Kingdom, and Heartsong Radio in Scotland.
Continuing to push boundaries, Paul Payne837's subsequent single, "Nakana," showcased his knack for international collaborations. Teaming up with acclaimed DJ Victor256 and the prodigious producer Fusa of Amazing Beats in Uganda, the track resonated deeply with listeners across the African diaspora and beyond. Garnering substantial acclaim, "Nakana" soared to the fifth position on the esteemed Top 10 Most Wanted Songs chart on Radio Christian Voice. The single's unwavering popularity persisted, securing a dominant three-month reign at the top spot. Recognizing its impact, the song received a nomination for the 2018 Song of the Charts, ultimately claiming a respectable third position overall.
Testament to his widespread appeal, his EP "War" received overwhelming support both locally and internationally, with the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Africa emerging as top territories in terms of streaming and downloads across popular platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, and Deezer. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the music industry, Paul Payne837 was honored with the coveted "Artist of the Year" award at the Gospel Xplosion event in the United Kingdom, solidifying his status as an eminent artist in 2021.
Unrelenting in his pursuit of musical excellence, Paul Payne837 continues to enthrall audiences with every subsequent release. His unwavering dedication and unyielding passion for his craft are evident, and there is no doubt that his star will continue to rise, firmly establishing him as a force to be reckoned with in the industry. He continues to keep the fire burning with every new release he puts out and there's no sign of him slowing down.
