Brymo Says He Does Not Blame Igbos For AFRIMA’s Loss 

Brymo made anti-Igbo statements in the run-up to Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

Olawale Ashimi, popularly known as Brymo, a self-proclaimed first-sonic musician, has spoken out about how he felt after losing the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).

The 8th edition of the music award dubbed the ‘Teranga Edition,’ was moved from November to January 12-15, 2023, in Dakar, Senegal, and saw Brymo lose the prize categories for ‘Best Songwriter of the Year,’ and ‘Best Album of the Year.’

In an interview with The Cable, the musician was asked how he felt about losing the honors, citing the controversy around the nomination and the petitions that were levied against him.

The interviewer asked, “What did you make of it; seeing over 40,000 people suddenly signing this petition to strip you of your nominations for the 8th AFRIMA over a social media talk? Did the award contact you about it?”

Brymo said that he was looking forward to winning. He went on to say that his defeat had nothing to do with the petition or the problems that preceded it but were the consequence of a combination of events.

He said, “I think, months before, I’d announced that I was no longer a musician and that I was instead a sonic artist. It meant I was no longer eligible for awards that musicians get. However, AFRIMA nominated my work ‘Esan’, so I forgot all that and looked forward to the event. But in truth, I’m no longer a singer so I didn’t want it.

“There’s a songwriting category but they shouldn’t nominate sonic artists. I was looking forward to it anyway, and then something happened. I got into trouble talking about Biafra leaving and staying. So I stayed out of AFRIMA and didn’t attack the award afterward. Not winning had nothing to do with southeast fracas. Everything only just came together.”

Several people criticized the artist in the run-up to the 2023 general elections for making anti-Igbo statements, claiming that they did not deserve to run for president.

The statements drew backlash from other celebrities and fans, but Brymo stuck to his guns, retweeting the same series of tweets that got him in trouble in the first place.

Afterward, Charles Ogundele began a petition requesting for the alternative singer’s candidacy to be canceled.