Brymo to Chocolate City ‘We will see in court’

Ashimi Olawale popularly known as Brymo came on the music scene in 2007 when he dropped his debut album, Brymstone. The 27-year-old son of a carpenter father and petty trader mother grew up in Okokomaiko, a suburb of Lagos.

His music career began in 2002 when he and a couple of friends formed a band they christened ‘Aliens’. However, they later broke up and Brymo kick-started his solo career, recording his first single in 2005. In 2010, he hooked up with Chocolate City and got a face following the success of Ice Prince’s Oleku.

In this interview with TS Weekend, Brymo opens up on his childhood, music and current crisis with Chocolate City. Excerpts:

How did you come into music?

I started music when I was 14. But I think what happened was that my mum was and remains a big music fan so, I’d like to say that she is responsible for my keen interest in music. It all began in SS1 when I wrote my first song entitled, Future.

At what time did you decide to embrace music?

As I grew up, it became clear that I would have to embrace music. I realised that I had no choice than to play music. This is probably because I have passion for music and I enjoy it and also get paid for it. I happen to be an only child so music just let me run free. I only have my parents to worry about and they are quite young.

What was it like growing up an only child?

I don’t know if I missed anything because I didn’t have siblings. (Laughs) Basically, I grew up with only me by my side so it’s easy for me to want to be by myself. It got me into trouble a lot but I can’t tell how lonely it was because I didn’t have siblings.

Tell us about your parents?

My mum is a petty trader and my dad a carpenter. I grew up with them in a room apartment.

Could you tell us about your music before Oleku?

I had songs from my first album entitled, Brymstone. That was in 2007. We had problems with management and I couldn’t get a marketer in Alaba International Market for the album. You know, Alaba Market is quite tough and sometimes for a new artiste, if you can sell your album there and it’s good, you could blow up.

How much were you looking at then?

Funny enough, I had N1 million offer then. But for some technical reasons it just didn’t sail through and we couldn’t get good distribution. I was very disappointed and that’s natural but I have moved on.

Did you think of quitting?

That’s the problem. I couldn’t quit.

How did you get signed on to Chocolate City?

I got a call from Denrele (Edun) saying, ‘aburo, you’re going to call MI and work with him. MI wants to work with you.’ I was like ‘wow, are you serious?’ And that was how we hooked up. In less than a month, I was at his place to record with Jesse Jags.

How did you get inspiration for the hook of Oleku

It came from somewhere between being hungry, desperate and passionate, and having so much inspiration around me. It was pretty much Jesse Jags, Ice Prince and I in the studio that day. We were just sitting there and Jesse had a new idea for a beat and he came up with it, and within 30 minutes or an hour we had a song, the rest is history.

Did you ever get credit for Oleku, were you ever paid for it?

We were like a family. Yes, I got my credit; it’s basic. But I was not paid…not necessarily.

You did so well on that track, why did it take Chocolate City a year to sign you on?

I don’t know. I was scared I was not going to get a deal if I didn’t sign that contract after a year with a good song like Oleku. Not that I had a face yet. If I had left I would have to start all over again. I had put in work and Oleku was a big investment.

Did you make money from the track?

No, it just gave me a face, more than that it also gave me a voice.

You also went on to do Ara, another big song…?

It was amazing. Oleku was great. I am happy about Ara because in the totality of it all, most people who fall in love with Ara will probably fall in love with it forever.

We understand that you have parted ways with your label. What were the issues?

My debut album was not released properly. Songs were leaked even after they promised that they were safe. And then there was my single, which was poorly released. I think I deserve an explanation why the release was messed up. That already is a breach. You took my song, edited it and released it behind my back; very unfair. It’s something I don’t want to talk about but there’s news everywhere that I am smoking weed and people are saying I don’t get shows because of that.

What really led to the story of weed smoking? Was it the picture on Instagram?

Yes, but for God’s sake, I have not done anything to mess up the contract. What else do you think anybody would say just to make me look bad? It’s like giving a dog a bad name so you can hang it. They needed to come up with something. Like I said before, a lot of artistes are doing songs about weed and I have not even done a song on weed before.

Tell us about Choc Boys and how it affected your project?

We were supposed to record a Choc Boy album in 2012, which I could not agree to because I had my own album in the works. But it’s even worse than that because nobody ever called me up. Whenever they had Choc Boy meetings I was never there. I heard stuff from my other mates on the record label and I am like ‘when did you have that meeting?’ So, it’s easy now for them to come out and say I am still a Choc Boy. However, I was never treated like one!

What are your plans now?

Chocolate City says I can’t go anywhere but they will have to sue me to enforce that and we will meet in court.

Are you not scared it could affect your career negatively?

Yeah, maybe, it will make me make less money. Maybe, I don’t know how it’s going to end but I have to do this for my career. I know I am right, so with time I will pick up.

Beyond Chocolate City, what are your plans? Do you have a new management, a new deal?

This is music business. By the time you shop for a few weeks, you’ll find a manager and a publicist. The songs always come first so if I don’t have an album in the works, what do I need a manager and publicist for.

Now, what happens to your music catalogue at Chocolate City?

I have rights over them because the songs belong to me personally. I wrote those songs and never got any money for them. So, they are my personal property but then, what can I say? I lost an album to lack of distribution before so it’s not a big deal if the label says otherwise.

What are your dreams?

My dream is to make music until the world tells me to shut up, to stop singing!

What has been your greatest moment?

There are lots of them but Olekuwas one of them; it was amazing!

  

What’s your relationship with the people at Chocolate City?

We have a very cordial relationship, funny enough. We talk on phone and we even exchange visits. When I got my new car four months ago, I drove to MI’s place and said ‘come take a look at my car.’ When we meet at events we still talk.

Tell us about the woman in your life?

Yes, I am in a relationship. But no plans for marriage right now. I met the lady in my life at a birthday party. What struck me about her was that she was tall and beautiful. The attraction was her height. Who no go like fine girl? I like the way she carries herself and the way she treats me.

When are you guys getting married?

(Laughs) I am 27-years-old so I am still thinking of roaming around a little bit more before settling down.