Digging deep into the mind of Nigeria’s Afro-fusion music leader

In 2013, Brymo made the move to break free from Chocolate City, and chase the life of an indie artiste. That move never went well with the powers at Chocolate City, who made it a legal matter and prevented the man from releasing music.

Fast forward three years from that time, Brymo’s indie career has blossomed. Without the pressure of conformist radio and label executives, he has immersed himself in a creative space, where poetry and reflection has given him license to create beautiful music. That music can be found on two albums – “Merchants, Dealers & Slave”, and “Tabula Rasa” – and an international curated release.

That his music is unique in every way is a strength to his brand, as he goes against conformist radio with sounds that are a fusion of percussion, lush drum patterns and imagery.

“The art of blending genres and making everything sound as one is not new to our music scene, and has also always been there,” Brymo says via email, as he bares his heart. “If the great Fela Anikulapo were to be alive now, people will call afro-beat alternative. In our time however, it is a new trend, I believe this is because there are a great number of genres already worldwide, and so everyone is just fusing everything together.

Brymo is one of the leading lights of the alternative scene, carving his path in a society where pop music is a way of life, and subgenre-specific audiences continue to dwindle. Commercial music, as it is commonly referred is interwoven into the fabric of daily living, and to ignore the pull of it can be tasking. Brymo remains part of a determined group of acts, dedicated to following the alternative route.

“I don't feel lonely at all, because every day more and more people are entering the scene. Music never runs out of disciples. In fact I spend more time these days enjoying and creating music, and I know that other artistes are coming with plenty promises and potentials,” He says.

“Everything dies eventually. From the 70's to this day we have witnessed the birth and gradual death of genres like "Apala", "juju" and even "traditional highlife". (I am particularly interested in making some 'Apala' music, with the hope of revamping the genre). The survival of say "Afrobeat" is owed to the intensity of the idea behind it, and the sacrifices its founder had to make. Even at that, the current influx of 'Afrobeat' music does not do justice to the original.

“My point is; the life span of an idea is heavily dependent on its purity. If we collectively fall in love with our music, and keep at it, even on the days when it doesn't pay the bills, then we are on our way to creating something that has the potential to survive for a long time.”

As the sound and essence of our music continues to storm towards the consumerist and materialistic interpretation of Afrobeat, major overseas players are catching up to it. Davido’s 2016 deal with Sony Music has been celebrated as a shift towards major international status, but what many will scarcely recall was that Brymo was in international waters last year. The singer was the subject of a deal with Tate Music Group, where he produced a compilation album, “”, for the music power house.

“My deal with TMG is as it should be. We signed so they could introduce and help us grow in the western markets and that is what they are doing. Currently "Trance" is airing on at least fifty radio stations abroad, and the Brymo fan base is growing out there.”

That deal has propagated a lot of love from outside the country, with his management getting calls from numerous cities, requesting for live performances from Brymo. But according to him, that cannot be compared to the sentiments he experiences back home. “I get plenty love here,” Brymo explains, stating that “they say a prophet is not appreciated at home, I beg to differ. I doubt in fact that there is any Nigerian artiste alive getting more genuine appreciation than Brymo.”

Another Brymo album is in the works, with speculations building up as to when it would be released. Inside sources say 2016 will be the year for another album, but the singer is yet to confirm the veracity of that report. The singer will continue his prolific and potent partnership with producer Mikkyme Joses, although with a little catch – ‘Electronic Music!

With all of this works forming his lifeblood, Brymo’s focus is on this life, and not the generations to come. Great musicians are long remembered for their legacy with generations after them drawing from their materials to create their sounds and new definitions of music. Brymo isn’t chasing the life after in the life before.

“There's a large chunk of Brymo that'll be useful to them. I however have no idea what the next generation will like or what they will be like. I am just going to keep paying attention to the now. Let what's good survive for as long as it is pure.”