‘They Don’t Make Music the Way it Should be’ – Brymo Explains Why He Snubs Other Artistes

‘They Don’t Make Music the Way it Should be’ – Brymo Explains Why He Snubs Other Artistes

Brymo has a penchant for controversial statements and now, the singer has some terse words for his colleagues.

In a new interview with Punch, the ‘Shawty’ singer opened up on growing up as an only child, dabbling into football, dropping out of the Lagos State University in 2008, chasing his dreams in music, his relationship with Chocolate City, and why he refuses to collaborate with any Nigerian artiste.

See the excerpts from the interview:

On how he found music:

As a child, I wanted to play football because I was sure that I was good at it. But music came along and I started singing at 14. However, I never had the opportunity to record until I was about 18.

On joining the industry:

I came into the industry around 2007 after the release of my first album, Brymstone. One of the songs in the album is Shawty and it was fairly popular at that time. The song actually got me a Soundcity Music Video Awards nomination in 2008. That was the beginning for me and I met a lot of top players in the industry at the time.

On why he once said he would go to hell after death

A lot of the people we call legends and role models did not live their lives in accordance to religious standards. And by religious standards, people who do not live in a certain way won’t make heaven. Today, we’re fans of Fela and many people like him who suffered for the good of mankind. When we die, we’re all going to the grave and that’s hell.

On his relationship with Chocolate City which later went sour

They had a better business structure compared to everyone else at that time and that’s why I decided to join them. The problem I had with them was that we were unable to properly execute my contract. Maybe because they had too many artistes signed to the label and the workforce wasn’t able to match that and get the work done.

I didn’t have any ‘beef’ with them, I just needed to leave and make music in the way that I know is best. Right now, we’re not friends and we’re not enemies.

Asked if he misses Chocolate City

Nothing really. If there was, I probably would have forgotten because I’ve left them for a while now. And we parted in acrimonious circumstances.

Addressing his previous comment about making the most money off music in Nigeria, he said:

Since 2013, I have constantly churned out albums which have attracted some attention. And I know that Nigerian artistes, especially the top ones, don’t release albums that often, except singles. The entertainment industry is more about freebies. There are more people who would support you as opposed to paying you. There is no real patronage for the arts. Living off music alone in Nigeria is quite difficult and I think I’ve made some progress in that regard. I don’t see anybody else doing what I’m doing and working as hard as I do. However, I did not say I’m the richest artiste in the country, just that I make more money off music than everyone else.

Asked if he thinks other artistes are displeased with him for refusing to collaborate with them, he said:

I actually want them to see me as snobbish. A lot of importance is placed on collaboration which I don’t think is necessary. When you collaborate, it should be because you have a connection with the person but it has been bastardised these days. However, if I find someone I have a connection with, I would collaborate but it’s not a do-or-die affair.

Asked why he says he wants to be seen as snobbish, he said:

Many of them don’t make music the way it should be. For me, it’s about being different and going in a different direction from the crowd.

You can read the rest of the interview here.