A child is a product of love, not marriage –Brymo

Olawale Ashimi aka Brymo is one of Nigeria’s finest artistes. He talks about his career, love child and baby mama

Why is your latest album titled Tabula Rasa?

Tabula Rasa is a Latin word and it means ‘Blank Slate’. I wanted to change my mindset and reapply everything I know. It also applies to the mind of a newborn and I am expecting a child. Basically, it represents new beginnings for me on many fronts. After my ordeals as a music maker, I have had to forgive and let go of the past so the future can grow. Tabula Rasa is the ultimate kick off for great success for Brymo and its brand.

Why have you decided against featuring more than one artiste in your album?

With Tabula Rasa, I tried something different by using a spoken word poet instead of a regular music artiste, hence Sammy Sage Hasson. However, I believe that features are a way for artistes to flaunt their relationships with other artistes; therefore it’s crucial for there to be some kind of musical connection between both artistes on the same track. Why one artiste per album is because I want the featured artiste to get all the attention as the sole co-participant on my project. I might try new ideas in the future.

Does it have anything to do with your relationship with other artistes because you are mostly not found in their circles?

Not at all. My absence in those circles is occasioned by personal reasons. I am friendly with most of my colleagues.

What’s the current state of your relationship with Chocolate City boys?

Due to issues that occurred in the past, there’s a little gap in that relationship, but that’s alright. Eventually all things will fall back to place. Our paths constantly cross since we are in the same business, so it doesn’t take long before you start laughing again. Personally I have learnt to be more careful, so I am a little slow to jumping back into old friendships.

There are rumours that Jesse Jagz is romancing Chocolate City again. How does this make you feel bearing in mind that you both exited Chocolate City about the same time?

Jesse has family ties within that circle and it’s unfair to expect him to break that off because of business.

If you are prevailed upon, would you return to Chocolate City?

Never, but we could have dealings again though. There are no permanent friends or foes in business.

But your recent tweets appreciating Chocolate City point in a different direction?

Those tweets were to show appreciation to people I have worked with in the past. I have reconciled all that happened in the past. It has always been their call to also move on.

What do you miss about Chocolate City?

I neither miss nor regret anything. We had a business relationship that didn’t work out. That’s alright because it happens all the time in the world of business.

Some people saw your exit coming because unlike the rest of the team you don’t have your roots in Jos and you are not family. Did these factors play a part in your exit?

Due to the way things played out, a lot of people attached unnecessary sentiment to the entire event. But truth remains it was only a contractual issue that pulled us apart.

What’s the most important lesson the episode taught you?

It taught me that only you have your interest at heart. I also learnt that the business world is not for yes-men or for people who don’t know what they want. The music business is not just about having a big heart but also having a great mind.

What is your biggest regret as a musician?

I have none. Every triumph or failure is a lesson.

Describe your type of music and why you opted out of doing the typical hip-hop/rap music?

My music is called Fusion. It comprises all of my influences, especially the stories I choose to tell in my songs. I believe that music is one of the most effective avenues to educate people, and it’s all a waste if an artiste cannot inform with it even as we strive to gather wealth from it. I never broke away from any genre; I have always experimented with them all.

Is your genre a money-spinning one?

All genres are money spinning; in the end it is the credibility of the brand that attracts the business. A hundred fans will convert another hundred and the circle goes on like that. Someday, you will look back and realise you are listed in the top three biggest names in the business and then you head to the bank. The music is however more important. As long as that keeps coming, you can always look forward to bigger and better deals.

If you were not doing music, what would you have been doing?

I don’t know. On a second thought, maybe I would have been a politician. I have my reservations about that sector because here in Nigeria, everyone wants to play rough and have their way at all cost. I’ll stick with music.

How does it feel to be an expectant father?

It feels exciting and I can’t wait to lay my eyes on the little one. The excitement is skyscraper high.

Why did you choose to have a child out of wedlock?

Because a child is a product of love not of marriage. Marriage was made for men to get assistance from women and vice-versa, but society has bastardised the concept. I would rather pay attention to loving the woman I am with than seek the approval of society about it.

Was the pregnancy planned?

I wouldn’t wait till I am over 30 to venture into fatherhood. So, yes you can say it was planned.

How long have you known your baby mama and when do you plan to marry her?

We’ve been together for at least three years. You’ll definitely know when we decide to get married.

Of all the ladies that have come your way, why did you choose to be with her?

It is the connection. You find someone and you flow with them. That’s something you don’t plan.

Where do you derive the inspiration for your music?

From people. All of my experiences are summed up in my music. All events in my life, good or bad are all reflected in there.