Brymo

Brymo (born Olawale Ashimi) is a Nigerian singer, composer, songwriter and recording artist formerly signed to the Chocolate City music label.^[1]

Early life

Olawale Ashimi was born in 1986, the son of a carpenter father and a petty trading mother. He grew up in the neighbourhood of Okokomaiko).^[2] Though times were tough, his parents saw that he received a primary education at Aganju Aka Primary School between 1990 and 1997. Between 1997 and 2003, he attended Ajangbadi High School, the local public secondary school. He gained admission into Lagos State University to study zoology but had to drop out due to financial constraints. In 1999, when he was 14, Brymo wrote his first song. Pleased with his results, the young Olawale was inspired to pursue a career in music.^[3]

Music career

Aliens (2002-2005)

In 2002, while still attending secondary school, Brymo formed a band called Aliens with three friends. Brymo played a major role in the group, mainly acting as the composer and songwriter. In a period of two years, Brymo wrote over 85 songs for the band, including their debut single. By 2005 the band broke up. It had not been particularly successful, and several of the members needed to return to school.^[4]

Brymstone (2005-2010)

Shortly after the disbanding of his group Aliens, Brymo moved into a solo career, recording his first single in 2005. Not signed to any record label, he sought out the assistance of a local talent spotter, who helped him record his debut album entitled Brymstone with Bujoc Records. In 2008 Brymo released a hit single entitled "Shawdy" along with a music video which peaked at number two on the MTV Base Africa top 10 countdown.^[5] The song peaked at number one on the Nigezee top 10. It was nominated for the Soundcity Music Video Awards.

Chocolate City (2010-2013)

Brymo met Nigerian superstar rapper M.I in 2010. M.I was impressed with him and introduced him to fellow musicians Jesse Jagz and Ice Prince all from the Chocolate City recording label. Brymo’s talent and unique voice were recognised by Chocolate City, and before long he was signed to the label.^[6] He released an album with Chocolate City in 2012 called TheSonOfaKapenta before leaving the label in 2013. He has featured on several tracks by other musicians, most notably Oleku by Ice Prince. This hit single gained enormous airplay and topped most charts in Nigeria and Sudan .^[7]

"Ara"

On 18 September 2011 Brymo released his first single under Chocolate City "Ara". "Ara" is Brymo’s first official single as a Choc Boy after he rose to instant fame with his feature on the biggest single of 2010, "Oleku" by Ice Prince. He has also been on a few other features including "Action Film" by M.I, "Attention" by 2-Shotz and "Ma wo be'" by Sasha. "Ara" was the number six trending topic globally on Twitter.^{[citation needed]}

"Good Morning"

Brymo released the second single of his second album titled "TheSonOfaKapenta" on 16 April. The song rides on a slower tempo than that of "Ara".^[8]

TheSonOfaKapenta (2012)

Brymo released his second album, his only album released under Chocolate City. The album won him critical acclaim; gaining him more fan base and awards.

Independent career (2013)

Brymo left Chocolate City to become an independent artist. He worked with The Bail Music Company managed by respected talent manager/music business consultant, Lanre Lawal.^{[citation needed]}

"Down"

Brymo started his independent career with the single titled "Down".

Albums

Merchants, Dealers & Slaves - 2013

The Album 'Merchants, Dealers & Slaves' is the third studio album by Nigerian artist Brymo, released October 20, 2013. “MDS was written and recorded at a time when my aspirations were at cross roads in a battle against societal limitations and prejudice. My journey into self realization.” says Brymo. The album is darker and more reflective. On the surface it is the story of a village boy who leaves his town for the seducing bright lights of Lagos City. Merchant, Dealers and Slaves is about broken promises, deception, hypocrisy and unfaithfulness. The Album received generally positive reviews from music critics like Darlingtonpeters who described The ‘new’ Brymo as a breath of fresh air. The album ends with M,D & S the title track and is a serenade on the fundamentals of human existence; freedom and love. The chorus Merchants, Dealers & Slaves is an ironical view of Nigeria’s social strata.

Discography

• Brymstone(2007)
• TheSonOfaKapenta (2012)
• Merchants, Dealers, & Slaves (2013)

Awards

Nominations

• 2009 Soundcity Music Video Awards - Best special effects and graphics
• 2011 Nigeria Entertainment Awards - Most Promising act to watch
• 2011 Channel O Music Video Awards - Most Promising Video 2011 (OLEKU)
• 2012 African Entertainment Awards - Song of the year ("Ara")
• 2012 Nigerian Entertainment Awards
  • Hottest single of the year ("Ara")
  • Best New Act
  • Best Music Video of the year ("Ara")
• 2012 Hip Hop World Awards - Recording of the Year ("Ara")
• 2012 Hip Hop World Awards - Best Vocal Performance Male ("Ara")
• 2012 Channel O Music Video Awards - Most Gifted Video of the Year ("Ara")

Won

• 2012 Hip Hop World Awards - Recording of the Year ("Ara")
• 2012 Channel O Music Video Awards - Most Gifted Afro Pop video of the Year ("Ara")^[9]

Performances and appearances

• Silverbird 30th anniversary- Lagos, 2010
• Star mega jam- 2010
• Hennesy concert- 2010
• Rick Ross private party-Abuja
• Face of Selara- 2010- Abuja, 2010
• Runway Fashion show-Abuja, 2010
• Glo Rock & Rule Tour (Nigeria) Feb – Apr 2011
• M12 Album Launch (O2 Arena London)- 28 April 2011
• Big Brother Africa winner welcome party- 2011
• Hennessy Artistry V.I.P Night- 30th Sept, 2011
• Rhythm Unplugged (Abuja)- Oct 2011
• M-Tech E.L.I Launch (Kenya)- Oct 2011
• The Headies Awards (Lagos)- 22nd, Oct 2011
• Total Oil EOY Party- Dec, 2011
• Access Bank Show EOY Party- Dec, 2011
• Rhythm Unplugged (Lagos)- 23rd Dec, 2011
• Ovation RED Carol 2011- 24th Dec, 2011
• Valentine Show (Warri)- 14th Feb,2012
• Club 11:45 Reloaded (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)- 24th Feb, 2012
• Nigerian Idols show- (Guest Artiste on the show)- 22 March 2012
• South By South West Musical Conference(Austin, Texas)- 16 March 2012
• Unijos reunion (Lagos)- 7 April 2012
• Kennis Music Easter Fiesta Concert (Lagos)- 8 April 2012
• AY LIVE (Expo Hall, Eko Hotel, Lagos)- 8 April 2012
• Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2012 –VGMA( Accra, Ghana) 14 April 2012
• Nite of a Thousand Laffs extra (Abuja)- 1 May 2012
• MTN Leadership Seminar with Dr Farah Gray - 27 April 2012
• Copa Coca Cola Finale 2012- 27 May 2012
• Kwara Reawakening Campaign (New State Logo Unveiling)- 29 May 2012
• Ghana Meets Naija Concert (Accra Ghana)- 30 June 2012
• Ultimate Afrobeats Utopia (South Bank Center, London)- 21 July 2012
• New World Nigeria Music Event, Stratford Theatre (London)- 22 July 2012

References

External links

• Merchants, Dealers & Slaves (MDS)
• ARA by Brymo
• http://www.bellanaija.com/2011/09/19/new-music-brymo-ara/
• Son Of The Carpenter Brymo Climbs Up the Ladder
• from carpenters son to music star