Review of This Moment by Phyno and Cheque by Roy OC Chukwu

By Roy OC Chukwu

 Penthauze Boss, Phyno with frontline Superboy Cheque moved strategically by releasing the single, 'This Moment' on the last Sunday and day before September. 'This Moment' was intended solely to serve the purpose of being an end of the year anthem in Nigeria and beyond. 

Phyno × Cheque This Moment Cover Art

In West Africa, particularly Nigeria there is a special hype when it comes towards the ember months as the year comes to an end. Every household, business, and institution, tends to be extra careful as people are in a hurry and rush to make these remaining months of the year count. If they have been unlucky during the course of the year, maybe due to their over reliance on their actions, they now pitch the remaining months of the year into God's Hands asking Him to give them another moment and chance before the year runs out for their business to yield. In Nigeria, these months are the most defining months of the year and are very crucial as it is associated with increased spiritual activity and end of the year party.

This could be seen in the lyrics:

Yahweh, give me this

If you give me this moment

Never take it for granted

We are never certain

Phyno understands this view and was part of the inspiration for this song. One which resonates with Nigerians seeking hope in tough times.

Who would have thought Igbo and Urhobo could rhyme seamlessly in the lyrics respectively? Well, Phyno did it effectively. Here:

Ekwe na Ka Ata gba mu

Ome na uko oooh, eh (Igbo)

Mi de se mi ko yo me

Oghene me yo me (Urhobo)

Culturally, the Urhobos and Igbos are neighbours in the Niger-Delta region of the country, Delta State precisely. Proximity has enhanced similar cultural values, beliefs, norms, and standards amongst the two nations.

Building on this cultural background, 'This Moment' was produced by Benjamz. It has an element of Igbo-highlife and is a Gospel genre. A piece packed with slower tempo which makes it less danceable than Afrobeats. It is not your usual Afrobeats sequence, 'This Moment' blends highlife’s nostalgic guitars and rollout drums with Gospel’s uplifting choirs hence Nigerians and other Africans may take time to adapt to it. The backup singers enhanced the song's emotional depth with their soulful harmonies.

Cheque rides on uncertainty as his theme together with the hope of coming from nothing to something. As Phyno seeks God's blessings towards his prosperity, he is more certain of the outcome when given this moment. The free verse structure made every part of the song sound like a hook; this will linger in the listener's mind like a heartfelt prayer with each listen.

A future joint project from these rappers and singers will be what I look forward to.

https://audiomack.com/phynomusic/song/this-moment?share-user-id=23460906


Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Comments

  1. Christian EzeSeptember 17, 2025 at 6:20 PM

    Phyno has come a long way man

    ReplyDelete
  2. EllaSeptember 20, 2025 at 9:49 PM


    The writeup got me engaged. You did well connecting the song to the ember months and Nigerian culture, it makes the piece relatable. Great job 👏

    ReplyDelete
  3. Miss ImoSeptember 26, 2025 at 6:20 AM

    This is both a critical assessment and an in-depth analysis exposing the significance of the song and the artistes thoughtfulness.
    Well done 👍.

    ReplyDelete

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