Olawale Ashimi popularly known as Brymo is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, recording artist and author. He began to sing at age 14 and recorded his first song at 18. Since then, he has continued to stand tall in the music industry. Also, in 2018, he published a fictional book titled Oriri’s Plight.
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Brymo Background
Olawale Ashimi was born on May 9, 1986 in Okokomaiko, Lagos, Nigeria as the only child. His father was a carpenter from the Awori descent, and his mother an Egun petty trader. Brymo attended an Islamic school where he learnt how to recite the whole of the holy Qu’ran.
He started at Aganju Aka Primary School before moving to Japual Primary School. Next, he moved to Ajangbadi High School, Ajangbadi, Lagos where he graduated in 2003. Subsequently, he enrolled at Lagos State University, Ojo to study Zoology, but dropped out in his second year to fully pursue his music career.
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Brymo Early Career
Brymo started his musical career in 1999 while in secondary school, when he recorded the song titled future. He got his musical inspiration after he heard his mother sang fuji songs. In 2002, he formed a group together with his friends called The Aliens. But the Aliens disbanded in 2005 following series of crises. After that, he pursued a solo career without signing under any record label.
In 2010, Brymo also came to limelight after featuring in Oleku, a hit single on Ice Prince’s debut studio album – Everybody Loves Ice Prince.
Brymo Studio Albums
Altogether, Brymo has released six studio albums and one compilation album titled Trance in 2015. He released his debut studio album Brymstone in 2007. One of the songs in the album, Shawty became fairly popular. He sold over 2000 copies of the album within the first sixth months of its release.
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The Son Of A Kapenta
Secondly, he released another studio album titled the son of a kapenta in 2012.The album was released under the Chocolate City record label, and it featured guest appearances from Jesse Jagz, Pryse, M.I Abaga, and Ice Prince. The singles on the album include Ara (2011), and Good Morning (2012).
Ara was produced by the Legendary Beatz, and the entire album was inspired by his father’s carpentry profession. It was a summary of his life and a reflection of his energy. The album was also an avenue for him to be identified as a lead artist, instead of a featured artist. It was recorded in English and Yoruba Language.
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Merchants, Dealers and Slaves
On October 20, 2013, Brymo released his third studio album titled Merchants, Dealers and slaves. M,D&S was produced by Mikky Me and featured Guitarist David as a guest. The singles include Down (2013), Eko (2013) and it witnessed a positive review from the masses. The video was uploaded on YouTube on September 30, 2013. Also, in 2014, Southern Illinois University students, Carbondale deconstructed the lyrics as part of their project work and the school invited Brymo to witness the case study presentation.
At the release of the album, only the digital download was available due to interim injunction from Chocolate City against Brymo, restraining from doing any musical deals outside the label. However, on March 26, 2014, the injunction was lifted and the hard copies were released. The album incorporates traditional pop, blue grass, Latin rock, reggae and afrobeat genre.
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Tabula Rasa
Blank Slate which means Tabula Rasa in Latin is the title of Brymo’s fourth studio album. It was released on 30 Oct. 2014, as the follow-up of his previous album. The album’s single is mainly Fe Mi (2014). He named the album tabula rasa after hearing the judge use it in his speech in court. It incorporates R & B, Afrobeat and afro-soul genre. The album received a widespread positive review and several people called it classic.
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Klĭtôrĭs
Brymo released his fifth studio album titled Klĭtôrĭs. Klĭtôrĭs is a Greek word meaning Key. It was produced by Mikky Me Joses, and released under the Bail Entertainment Company on May 9, 2016 with a pre-order on iTunes. The album has one lead single titled Happy Memories (2016). The album was listed by Pulse Nigeria as one of the 10 Best Nigerian Albums of 2016. It was also nominated for the Headies Award in 2016 and 2018. Summarily, the album is an expression of love and the uncertainty of it.
Oso
Brymo released his sixth studio album with a Yoruba title, Oso meaning Wizard on March 27, 2018. Oso was released by Bail Entertainment Company and produced by Mikky Me Joses with two singles – Heya! (2018) and Ba’nuso (2018). The album debuted as the Best Nigerian album of 2018 on the 360 Nobs and Daily Trust newspaper listicle. It also ranked second on the Pulse Nigeria and Nigeria Entertainment Today listicle.
Generally, it incorporates alternative folk and Yoruba music genre with an element of mysticism which exposes the singer’s folk and traditional root.
Record Deals
Brymo signed a deal with the Chocolate City record label in 2010, after he met with M.I Abaga through Denrele Edun. However, the contract was broken in 2013 following series of cases.
During the crises, Chocolate City filed an interim injunction against Brymo. And Brymo after producing M, D and S album, signed a deal with Spinlet for the album distribution in 2014. This deal was however broken after Spinlet found out about the case. Then, in March 2014, the injunction was lifted and the album was distributed.
After the contract with chocolate city was broken, Brymo began to do his music independently and has since been managed by Bail Music Company. In 2014, he signed an international deal with BMG, but the deal lasted for just a year.
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Brymo Personal Life
The star is in a relationship with Esse Kakadare and they have a son, Waju who was born on 27 March 2015.
Brymo Net Worth
Busytape.com estimated Brymo’s net worth at $3.5 million in September, 2018. On October 2014, He was announced as an ambassador for Lagos Chamber of Commerce along with other celebrities like 2face Idibia, Vector and Kunle Afolayan.
Brymo Songs
Brymo has sang numerous songs. Below are some of his wonderful songs;
- Ara, 2012
- See Me, 2012
- Omoge Campus, 2012
- Good morning 2012
- Truthfully, 2013
- Down, 2013
- Eko, 2013
- Again, 2014
- Fe Mi, 2014
- Prick No Get Shoulder, 2014
- Naked, 2014
- Dear Child, 2014
- Je’le O Simi, 2014
- 1 Pound, 2014
- Dear Child, 2014
- Alajo Somolu, 2016
- Viva, 2016
- Them Dey Go, 2016
- Happy Memories, 2016
- Billion Naira Dream, 2016
- No be me, 2018
- Ba’nuso, 2018
- Heya, 2018
- Patience and Goodluck, 2018
- Money Launderer and heartbreakers, 2018
- Time is so kind, 2018
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Oriri’s Plight
On September 2018, Brymo released Oriri’s Plight, a fictional novel, published by Clockwyce Publishing. The book centers on a young man who set out to bring light for and to his people. Luckily, he arrived at his destination and the people of the light welcomed him. The digital version of Oriri’s Plight was first released on all digital book platforms worldwide, and the hard copy was published on Oct. 4, 2018 in Nigeria.
Recognition
- Songwriter of the Year ‘Down’, All Africa Music Awards, 2013
- Recording of the Year ‘Ara’, Hip Hop World Awards, 2012
- Most Gifted Afro Pop Video of the Year, ‘Ara’ Channel O Music Video Awards, 2012
- Music Icon of the Year, Nigerian Universities Merit Award, 2018
- 100 influential Nigerian writers under 40, Nigerian Writers Awards, 2018.
Brymo Quotes
“The universe is vast and the possibilities are endless, and life is indeed a miracle.”
“Kings are mere pawns these days.”
“The internet already gives us access to what’s going on elsewhere, we don’t have to be so desperate to go see those places.”
“I also want to see the world and grace it’s biggest stages, but the world will call for you when it needs you…stay where you are and build…
“Whatever is holding you back was put there to teach you patience and to help you learn to earn your keep.”
“Do not be too quick to cast away your pain, let it run its course, do not take any shortcuts.”
“We are who we consistently think we are.”
“Love is courageous, and hate is contagious.”
“Some of us are having a wild time, we are constantly changing while remaining the same…we are a little insane, and love is the reason for the malady.”
“Although my songs reflect many issues which are relevant in my society. I believe that human relations are the site where all issue emerge.”
“Keep it pure. Keep it original.”
“Whatever you do, do it with all your heart…for it is better to be true than to be right.”
“Nobody has your interest at heart but you.”
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Entrepreneurial Lessons From The Life Of Brymo
Dare to be different. Looking at Brymo’s music, you’ll see that he has remained consistent with his style. His musical reviews has remained positive due to his decent lyrics as against the usual talk on sex, money and other trending vices. People who watch Brymo’s video usually watch it for inspiration.
Also, as an entrepreneur, don’t be afraid to chose your style as long as it works for you and your business. Being distinctive has a way of making customers endeared to you.
Entrepreneurship is a lonely journey, let us help you get through it with our services.
Photo Credit: Kuulpeeps, mp3bullet, jaguda.com, the guardian Nigeria, Daily post Nigeria, and Waploaded.
