BRYMO'S YELLOW ALBUM REVIEW

Artist Background

Ashimi Olawale ”Brymo” was born in Lagos in 1986, he is the only child of a carpenter father and a petty trader mother. He was raised in a suburb called okokomaiko in Lagos state. And like most ghetto kids he grew up in a community where opportunities were hard, but despite all the hardship, his parents ensured that he got an average education, and a good upbringing.

He attended Aganju aka primary school okokomaiko, lagos. 1990-1997 He later attended Ajangbadi high school 1997-2003). Olawale gained admission into Lagos state university in 2007 where he studied zoology.

In 1999, Olawale wrote his first chorus at age 14. In 2002 he came together with three other friends and they started a band called ALIENS. Brymo played a very important part as a member of the group, his job being writing and compositions of songs. In a period of two years, he wrote over 85 songs. In 2005 the group broke up as some members had to go back to school.

Later that year he moved on to a solo career, recording his 1st single. In 2007 He came in contact with a local talent manager who helped him record his debut Album ‘BRYMSTONE‘. 

In 2008, he went on to promote his then hit single Shawdy with a video that gained maximum airplay nationwide which got him nominations and rave reviews. The video went on to be the number 2 spot on the MTV base African top ten countdowns and number one on the Nigezee top ten.

In 2010 he hooked up with Nigerian sensational Rapper M.I, whom later introduced him to Jesse Jagz and Iceprince ushering him into chocolate city music label.

He has been described as the master of hooks; this is because of his contribution to the success of Iceprince monster hit single Oleku’.

On 18 September 2011 Brymo dropped his 1st single under Chocolate City. Within 12 months of being in the limelight, and without a mainstream single to his name, BrymO has already being touted by many as Nigeria’s hook master but this changed as soon as the single ARA dropped.

ARA was BrymO’s 1st official single as an artiste under Chocolate City. ARA was the number 6 trending topic globally on twitter and the song rose to the top as the number 1 song in the country on cool fm Top Ten as well as dominating the MTN Nigeria top 10 jamz chart.

He has had collaborations as well as featured on the works of M.I, Iceprince, Jesse Jagz, Ill Bliss, Sasha, 2 Shotz, Playboy, SARZ, Mikky mi. 

Brymo released his debut studio album Brymstone, in 2007. His second studio album The Son of a Kapenta was released in 2012; it was supported by three singles; "Ara", "Good Morning" and "Go Hard". His third studio album Merchants, Dealers & Slaves was released on 20 October 2013; it received positive reviews from music critics and was preceded by two singles; "Down" and "Eko". In October 2014, Brymo released his fourth studio album Tabula Rasa; its lead single "Fe Mi" was described as a "soft traditional ballad". On 8 December 2015, Brymo released an eight-track compilation album titled Trance.

 

He signed an international distribution deal with Tate Music Group in 2015. Brymo released his fifth studio album Klĭtôrĭs on 9 May 2016. It comprises 11 tracks and was preceded by the lead single "Happy Memories". In March 2018, Brymo released his critically acclaimed sixth studio album Oṣó. Six months later, he released the self-referential fictional novel Oriri's Plight.

Brymo teamed up with three members of Skata Vibration to form A.A.A, an alternative rock band whose eponymous debut EP was released in August 2019. Brymo's seventh studio album Yellow was released on 1 April 2020.

The Review

Nigeria's musical genius Brymo treats us to yet again another classic masterpiece born out of his undeniable originality and true display of musicianship in his seventh studio album Yellow released on April 1, 2020.

Described by Brymo as an album about "love and survival", Yellow is an alternative pop and electronic record that incorporates elements of sentimental ballad, trap, sophisti-pop, shoegaze, rock, synth-pop and folk. What is interesting to note is the fact that just a single artist was featured on the album resounding the claim to the hard work and ingenuity put into this project.

Many have however claimed that this doesn't come as a shock given his track record of good music and great sound. His previous albums Oso and Klitoris still remain incredible albums till date yet, we've been hit once again with another great artistic composition both in rhythm, sound, content and production and we can't but say that the King is indeed here.

The album's cover art features a rendition of Insight and Frustrations 2020, a painting by Nigerian artist Samuel Ancestor. Brymo highlighted how he came about this art via Instagram sometimes ago; “Big S/O to @samuelancestor for the gift of a timeless art piece… at first gaze when it was being made I called it “the angry lady”, and then a conversation I was having with my friends about yellow came up at the sight of the jacket the lady wore. Hope of happiness someone said, in the midst of the darkness around and inside her. Yellow!,” he wrote on his Instagram page.

One would be forgiven if the art is being called the angry lady as remarked by Brymo on his first gaze at it. However, taking a look at it from the perspective of a frustrated human we are presented with a Cigarette smoking lady in a yellow jacket, what we are to understand is the fact that smoking cigarette stands as a symbol of trying to escape from disturbing thoughts or a failed system with people often getting intoxicated on Nicotine for its mood-altering effect, (A subtle escape from the harsh realities).

Thus one can infer two implicates. Firstly, the reality of a black man in his failed government seeking for an escape route (typified in the migration of black men in search of "greener pastures") a notion of which Brymo opposed of in the track "Brain Gain". Secondly, it is possible that the artist aimed at passing the message that whatever the frustration, this album serves as the intoxication needed to clear one’s mind.

Thematically, the album explores topics such as love, heartbreak, socio-politics and mental health. Yellow consists 15 tracks recorded in English, Yoruba and Pidgin. All tracks were written by Ọlawale Ọlọfọrọ, except for "Abụ Ya".

Musical Appraisal 

• Espirit De Corps- Brymo

Espirit de corps typically defines the common spirit existing amongst members of a group and inspiring enthusiasm, devotion, and strong regard for the honor of the group. 

In the album's opener "Espirit De Corps", Brymo examines the socio-politics of a decaying society; whereby the dynamics of this system is born of blackmail amongst one another. Unlike the togetherness / team spirit the term Espirit De corps exhumes traditionally, participants here are regarded as snitches, bitches which opposes the notion of a team. 

A quick peek at the musical content that suggest the above notion; "Esprit de corps, They’re all in it together, blackmailing each other is their game, Esprit de corps, And it feuds the disorder, blackmailing each other is their game" 

The song's production features a trap beat with /ɪtʃ/rhyme used in bringing home its verses. 

• Blackmail- Brymo

The term blackmail typically means to manipulate someone into performing an action. In this song, Brymo addresses the risks that emotional blackmail presents to relationships. The first verse examines a relationship where love becomes the instrument of blackmail from a "stone cold" hearted lover (Completely bereft of emotion or concern.) 

The verse 2 also resonates similar idea bringing to light the extent of which love puts one in captivity and idiocy. The line goes thus: " You count and blush and we stutter, you rocked my world like no other, Love is the captivity that lovers chose, seeing how you still love this fool like you do, Most times it feels like your love is all for you and forever be yours but you never truely mine, You want my love everyday over and again but I want something in return, all your love to sustain me" the song contains drums and guitar solos commonly used in smooth jazz and soft rock.

• Ozymandias- Brymo

Rich in literature, Ozymandias is the title of two related sonnets published in 1818. The first was written by the English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and the other by Horace Smith. 

Ozymandias is first and foremost a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of political power, and a powerful statement about the insignificance of human beings to the passage of time. The poem centres around how even the greatest men and the empires they forge are impermanent with their legacies fated to decay into oblivion. Little wonder why Brymo remarks "History forgets all, ozymandias".

The song centers on how time passes and the destruction looming in pride. At another angle it accounts for one who takes love from another without reciprocating any back; the song is a tale of self-criticism and self-awareness as noted by Wiki.

What's interesting to note is the irony of the statement "history forgets all" whence history preserves history.

• Heartbreak songs are better in English- Brymo

Brymo sings about his desires to express his heartbreaks emotively despite his society's impediment against it. "I would love to write in plain words, but where I’m from the man is boss, take it in, don’t say a word, tuck your heart inside the wall" exhuming the restrictions patriarchy imposes on an African man.

A mere critic might view the song’s tittle as possessing certain “xenocentric” ideologies, however, having understood the fact that the Afrique society places inherent do’s and don’ts as regards the expression of emotions upon a man, it is safe to say that the English language here serves as the much needed escape from this stereotype hard guy mentality in pouring out emotions, as such “Love songs are better in English”.

• Strippers and White lines- Brymo

In the first verse of this track, Brymo narrates the realities of a mentally incarcerated people and the resolve a young ghetto boy in rejecting such idiocy.

"Where the whole town is poor in their mind, and the slavery you choose we deny".

Drawing from the artist's background, it could be a recount of his personal resolve to lead a better life than he had been familiar with from the suburban town of Lagos "Okokomaiko" where he grew up"

In opening lines of the second verse, Brymo talks about loneliness being basically "a friend" and how pain begets his passion,  subsequently, he speaks of sadness as to how life always brings about suffering and how a man's dreams comes alive into nothingness.

Beyond the words on a paper, Brymo discusses a salient socio-political issue prevalent in the Nigerian society, with people resolving to a satisfaction of a below average lifestyle. While others with ambitions soon realize that the failed system would make it difficult or impossible for attainment of full potentials and thus the metaphor of a short lasting fantasy both from a stripper (who basically takes off after escalating ones fantasies) and cocaine (which wears off after a period of ecstasy or pleasure).

• Without you- Brymo 

Brymo sings about the problematic relationship between a man and woman who refuse to live without each other despite acknowledging each other's flaws thus acting independent whereas they really aren't.

A quick peek at lines that resonates the above idea:

"It was true truce confessed I had cheated" (Amidst a truce between both parties, one confesses of infidelity)

"Sleep away, I sleep in my car, The angels sing que sera sera, When I go, I'll go all alone, And everybody knows, I'll be safe on my own" ( After the moment of truce comes the relationship fallout)

"But I won't choose this life without you" (exhuming the fact that the persona cannot live without the woman)

Similar idea runs through the song as the artist also wishes the woman is unable to go on with life without him however having just concluded vilifying her with the term evil and further dispatching their separate ways. Re affirming the notion of hoe much a man and woman completes one another.

• Woman- Brymo

A shift away from the English driven rhythm we've been earlier exposed to, woman by Brymo tells a story of an unnamed partner who apparently means a whole lot to the other as he regards her has his "wife and half" of whom nothing can separate comparing their inseparability to that of a snail and it's shell.

"Nothing go fit to tear us apart, where you go I go go like the snail and the shell"

The song possess a soul rhythm which enables one to basically focus on the story being narrated by the artist and not drift away.

Like many of the tracks on the album, Brymo maintains the same subject matter through the song using various phrases and clauses in describing the till death do us path notion of a marriage vow.

• Black man, Black Woman- Brymo

Still cruising on pidgin grooves, Brymo aims at discussing a social issue as concerning gender roles in the African society, a message which can be derived from the song's title itself "black man, black woman"

The entirety of the song exposes the hypocrisy inherent in the black society the fake it to impress lifestyle and facade of a life lived by both gender. 

• Gambu- Brymo

Gambu' is pop-infused soul and blues track sung from perspective of a woman in love with an imperfect man with a stained reputation. Although she admits she might end up on the bad side of this toxic relationship she is still willing to take the risk. 

This is evident in the lines " Gambu, you dey sing for thieves, gambu, you go sing for me, person wey befriend rat, go chop shit but I go still dey follow you if you swim for shit, Love only me and be my own Gambu" reflecting the notion of unconditional love, however bringing up the notion of as to how sensible her actions her.

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• Rara Rira- Brymo

Rara Rira" is an alternative pop song with a folk percussion; it describes carefree people who enjoy life and live on the edge, the Lagos baller kind of lifestyle jumping from party to party and it never ends.

The song basically revolves around a fast lifestyle where gyration and pleasure is the key, Faji all the way.

A quick peek at lines therein suggesting the above idea:

"Me and my guy, Our party e no dey end, Shayo for we cups, We dey talk big talk"

The song basically highlights the need to have fun after work and how life is so short to keep worrying.

• Brain Gain- Brymo 

The song underlines the notion that knowledge is power. Its first verse narrates the unfortunate mentality amongst certain Africans who condemn their government with thoughts that they are greener pastures in foreign ones while the truth is really that everywhere has a certain problem.

"I be dey tell my brother, make e hear, E Say e know the place wey sweet pass here, Where the people care and government fair, I tell am say make I hear, if I hear"

Brain gain serves as a direct opposite to the concept Brain drain which means to mentally deteriorate thus brain gain implies the search of knowledge or enlightenment.

Similar with the song "oya come make we go" by 2face and Sauti Sol,  the message first hand experience aids knowledge occurs " Oya come make we go ...But na after how we go, We go know o, Wether na true talk, Wether na lie them dey blow, Oya come make we go oh oh" while we have it has "Plenty Plenty stories, na when you go, you go hear the true story" in Brymo's hit.

The song's outro then highlights the fact that they're lots of experiences the persona had garnered probably all over of which highlighting them is seemingly impossible, little wonder the music challenges everyone to understand this experiences and to be grateful because "things hard for everybody"

• Adedotun- Brymo

Written in Yoruba, Adedotun is a letter to all and sundry. The artist however uses a single individual as the recipient of this message “Adedotun Oyindamola” 

The story being narrated is that of God’s love for us all and Brymo tactically uses the biblical illustration of God's care for mother nature and as to how he loves us even more in driving home this song "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?"

The songs production and content sets in motion a folklore which usually is didactic as exemplified in this song.

• Orun N Mooru- Brymo

Orun N Mooru is Yoruba song which interprets in English as "Heaven is heated.' Possessing more deep semantic implication, 'Orun N Mooru' is proverbial for a looming plot or an impending crisis.

The song narrates the hypocrisy and gossips within the walls of a palace over a King by whom he King considers highly trusted (chiefs) given his current financial incapabilities and his dependency on his Queen. 

The story metaphorically implies human’s possibility of betrayal when one has nothing (their once reverenced King now a subject of gossip)

• A Feedu Fan'na- Brymo

Written in the Yoruba language, A Feedu Fan'na is a song by Brymo aimed at eulogizing his cultural heritage and practices especially as regards cooking.

A Feedu Fan'na would imply one who creates fire from coal, a pictorial presentation of the traditional mode of cooking where one fans coal to make fire.

Rather than condemn this act, Brymo sings of pride over this and even takes it up as his name. This seems quite personal to the musician although we are made to know in the song that he learnt this act from his "iya agba" grandmother.

Moving from it's surface meaning however, I consider this track as being a message as to being the one with the musical fire of whom even the greats in the industry highly reverences, as such, whenever he is seen everyone should give respect which is due as he is indeed the "A Feedu Fan'na" (musical fire/genius)

• Abu Ya- Brymo

With the exceptipn to this track which was co-produced by Nsikak David and Lindsey Abudei, all of the remaining tracks on Yellow were produced and engineered entirely by Brymo's frequent collaborator Mikky Me Joses.

It typically explores love with the persona telling her lover to never forget what they used to be and that they are made for each other

Review by Taiwo Agunlejika and Ayandele Promi