The Son of “Oloforo,” Returns With Another Masterpiece

“Theta” is a concise, well-structured musical meal from Brymo. He retains his pristine pen game, while incorporating African and western productions...

Image credits:@Brymolawale On IG

At the age of thirteen, Brymo recorded his debut single titled, proudly, “Future.” Two decades later, most notably in the last nine years, it is glaring that he has embodied that title with his music releases. 

However, the journey had never been smooth. It has been rife with ups and downs; from the disbandment of his childhood music group, “The Alien,” to the commercial failure of his Backstreet Boyz- and R Kelly-inspired debut album, “Brymstone,” to his legal saga with Chocolate City Records, and many more. Brymo has seen it all, experienced the tide of life, but has never wavered. These crises did not diminish his musical output, but rather formed the bedrock of his art, turning him into a philosopher, a seer, and, usually, a storyteller.

With no big label budget backing, Brymo has largely self-funded his music career, leveraging Twitter to amplify his art, and oftentimes engaging in face-offs with fans and fellow artists. He knows his way around Twitter, and his fan base christened “Sigma,” is always on hand to egg him on. They are that loyal.

On May 27, 2022, Brymo released his new project, titled “Theta,”; his eighth studio album since he left Chocolate City in 2013. Ten tracks, thirty-five minutes of a voyage through his state of mind, “Theta” is philosophical, and thrilling.

“Illusions” takes the start. An ominous intro gives way to Brymo's vocals underneath a punchy guitar pick. Brymo turns storyteller as he relates the story of Boyi, a young, ambitious, and stubborn fellow who gets mired in a dysfunctional family. The story ends in murder and commendation. While Boyi slaved away in another man's country, he encounters racism which leads him to killing his boss. From the intro, Brymo takes the listeners through, on one hand, the 21st-century slavery currently being perpetuated by some western countries. On the other hand, he takes a shot at the unfavourable condition of their respective countries. Boyi became immortalized at the end of the song.

“Pim Pim” takes inspiration from Fela’sAfrobeat; from the horn, to the Agbamole drum, it is a tribute to Yoruba music. A large part of the song tilts towards motivating the listeners. The artist has been known for being stubborn with his convictions, while this, he urges the listeners to be careful of their utterances. By the time, the choral backups come through toward the end of the track, it raises to another height.

Brymo explores strengths and individual qualities in the drum-driven “Dem No Born Us Together.” While the title could denote a situation between two lovers, it could also be a stark representation of agitation for independence by some sections or groups in Nigeria. Brymo might just have used the proverbial stone to kill multiple birds. One resounding attribute of this song remains the Afrocentric element splashed on it.

Image credits: @Brymolawale On IG

How do you love in a dull, poor economy? Say no more, Brymo has the answer. “Love Na Drug” is a representation of the duality of life. On one part, he agrees love is a drug, and on another, he goes the opposite direction. He later slits into the intricacies of love; the economy, people, war, etc.  While he might tend to sound philosophical, the topic doesn't allow him to do much. Beyond love, he took some shots at perceived doubters.

“Money Good” could have been an Afrobeat track: all you need to do is to scrap the mid-tempo production track for a perky one. On this track, Brymo shows his debt to Pop music.  The lyrics, as well as his delivery, slightly depart from the previous four tracks. Money is one of the shortest tracks, and it is straight to the point. 

Some fragments of Hip-Hop and Jazz are scattered in the production of “Life Dey Go.” From the first line to the last, Brymo tells a coming-of-age story. For an artist who has fought establishments, left one of the foremost, indigenous Nigerian record labels amidst controversy, and recently was alleged to have raped someone, “life was surely going on.” While he battles with all these, he sometimes lives in the illusion that he's not hurt. This is one of his coping mechanisms. “Life Dey Go” is all shades of personal struggles, battles, and triumphs. A lot of people would find it relatable.

The pessimism of the previous tracks gives way to positive and light-hearted Brymo on the next track, “Tomorrow.”  Over thumping drums and bright trumpet, Brymo takes the wheel as he eggs the listener on with encouraging affirmations: All your problems temporary/You go succeed miraculously/Make e no hold you back

The electro-pop track, “Oga,” details a conversation between an executioner, and a man who was about to be executed.

“Market Square” might be another name for Twitter where issues are debated, and judgment delivered without hearing from the second party. When Brymo says he would go to the market square to get justice, he mocks these people and their crude antics. “Market Square” takes a cue from different instances, examples, and scenarios with the 2020 rape allegation and his recent tiff with 2Baba coming top. Right now, the market square is in vogue, it gets amplified with the recent trend of cancel culture. Artists like Brymo, and Dbanj were once victims.

The album reaches its nadir on “For You,” a gorgeous take on love, driven by traditional instruments.

“Theta” is a concise, well-structured musical meal from Brymo. He retains his pristine pen game, while incorporating African and western productions. The fans have something to listen to and enjoy till he releases another project next year. The music critics have found another opportunity to debate where this album falls when compared to Brymo’s other greats like “Oso,” “Yellow,” and “Merchants, Dealers, & Slaves.

4/5