In 2013, the split and legal tussle involving Olawale Ashimi a.k.a. Brymo and Chocolate City made the headlines. It lingered, but finally ended in favour of the ‘Ara’ singer. Since then, Brymo decided to pursue his career without leaning on any label for survival. He shares this and more with ORUKPE NELSON in this interview.
Did you observe a career break since you left Chocolate City?
I didn’t take a break; it was just that they took me to court. I was battling that and there was no way I could have been performing at the same time. An injunction was placed on me, which means I could not perform anywhere in the country. I didn’t go to the court before I got the injunction. I started performing as soon as the injunction was lifted sometime last year.
Have you released any album since you left?
Yes, I have released two albums, Tabula Rasa in 2014 and Merchants, Dealers and Slaves in 2013. I did the albums basically for my fans. I don’t think there was a need to release a single since I have a core fan base and I care less about what people think.
The coming back of Jesse Jagz fueled speculation that you might return to the label too. How do you react to that?
I can assure you that my core followers won’t expect me to go back and it is more than business for Jesse. It is family, so his going back is expected. But for me, it was contract that tied us together and since it has been broken and they dragged me to court, it was only natural that I go my way. I would also appreciate the media to stop talking about me going back to Chocolate City because it would never happen.
Do you miss anything about the label?
This is the same question I have been getting; everybody wants to know what I missed. I don’t miss anything; it was my own career I was cheating. I was useful to the label but the label was not useful to me. I did my best and I do not have all the time in the world. I am not growing younger every day, so if I don’t establish the right path for myself now, I might not be able to do it again. It was necessary for me to leave so that I could pay more attention to myself. After my Brymstone’s album, I managed to sell like 500 copies by myself and I got nice rotation for my video. I got a couple of nominations and awards, though at a point I went quiet, because I was the one handling the management. In 2010, Chocolate City came along and it was the exposure I needed at that point. The label had quite an impact in my growth because ‘Oleku’ where Ice Prince featured me was like my breakthrough before ‘Ara’ and ‘Good Morning’. Though I contributed as much as I could to the label, their impact on my music career can never be disputed.
So, are you signed to a particular label at present?
No, but I have a management, Bail Music Company. Lately also, I signed a contract with an American label called Tata Music Group (TMG). They would be releasing my first international album; we are working at that at present.
People didn’t really know your first album. What really happened?
The album was called Brymstone and it is my worst album ever. It was released 2007, but the video of hit single (Shawty) was dropped in 2008. But it was my first album and without the album I may not be able to do other albums. It wasn’t really available in the public since it was my first effort and sponsored by someone. It was the video that Chocolate City management saw and liked. So, through Denrele Edun, they were able to get in touch with me. We got talking and it was indeed a beautiful relationship for a while. I met the label in 2010 and by 2011 we were already working on my second album, ‘Son of a Carpenter’.
How was your growing up like?
I grew up at Okokomaiko, Lagos. The area wasn’t crowded then and the experience was amazing and fun. The more developed the area became, the bigger the population. I still go there once in a while. I was there some months ago when a friend of mine had his wedding. Most of the people there are like my family. So I feel at home when I hang around people I haven’t seen for a while.
Does your father still do carpentry?
That is his job, though he is not getting younger, so he has slowed down. My mother is into trade and I am the only child of my parents.
When should we be expecting a song as big as “Ara”?
I have other songs which I feel are popular than ‘Ara’. ‘Ara’, being one of my earliest popular songs makes people feel it is the most popular. I have far better songs that if I eventually release they would have the same effect as ‘Ara’. Also, my aim is simply to continue to make good music because remaining relevant is the most important thing for an artiste.
Have you heard the argument that most of your songs are alike?
That is all right, this is my first time of hearing this, but it is my song. If my songs sound alike; that is because I am the soul. If I don’t have a distinct style, why do I do music? I expect my music to sound like me because it is my voice. It is fine as long as I am not repeating the same lyrics. I think what makes me different would be better answered by people listening to the music. All I know is that I keep doing what I am doing regardless of what people are saying. The important thing is that the people I make music for appreciate and stick to it.
What influenced your style of music?
It ranged from very popular local musicians to international musicians. I grew up listening to juju music. At a point, I listened to more of RnB and lately I listen to alternative music. I listen to any song that gives me the felling that I am looking for. I listen to any musician I come across.
Do you plan to improve yourself formally anytime soon?
I believe the most important teacher in life is life itself. So, I am a student of life. I pay attention and learn from experiences and what I do. I do the best I can to improve myself, but I don’t think I am up for a degree yet. I am improving every day. There are a lot of stuffs I would like to improve on and I am working on them presently.
How’s your relationship with MI, Ice Prince and other former label mates?
My relationship with them is just like any other artiste, though the issue between us may make things a bit calm. But we are definitely not enemies; we all represent the same thing and we are part of the same industry.
Do you have plans to run a record label?
Running a record label is out of it now. When the time is right, we would think of that. I have to get to a level where I understand the music business thoroughly.