Nigerian artist Ibrahim Olawale, also known as Brymo, shared his thoughts on losing the All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA). The loss came after some individuals on social media petitioned for Brymo's removal from the awards nominations due to comments he made about the possibility of an Igbo presidency being a "pipe dream" because of the drive for Biafra.
"As long as there (are) talks by prominent people from Igboland about Biafra, an Igbo presidency will be a pipe dream," he tweeted.
Despite apologizing for his comments after around 47,000 people signed the petition for his removal, Brymo ultimately lost the AFRIMA award to Mali-based Iba One. In a recent interview with Cable, Brymo revealed that he had wanted to win the award before the petition went viral. He added that his loss was not associated with the Southeast controversy but was the result of several factors.
Brymo also announced his retirement from the music space, making him ineligible for the award.
In his own words: "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 the Southeast fracas. Everything only just came together."
