Nigerian singer and songwriter Olawale Oloforo, popularly known as Brymo, has once again sparked debate in the music industry after publicly calling out some of Nigeria’s biggest acts.
In a strongly-worded message posted on his Instagram story, the alternative singer accused A-list stars of exploiting younger talents under the guise of collaborations.
Brymo, known for his unfiltered takes on industry practices, did not shy away from mentioning names.
He specifically referenced Burna Boy, Davido, and others, blasting them for what he described as a habit of jumping on remixes of breakout songs released by upcoming acts.
He suggested that such moves are more about the established artists seeking attention than genuinely uplifting younger ones.
According to him, this trend has become both exploitative and damaging.
He argued that when superstar names attach themselves to already successful songs, it limits the room for rising musicians to grow on their own terms.
Rather than standing as a gesture of mentorship or goodwill, Brymo insisted that it dilutes the originality of new acts.
“Dear Nigerian mainstream ‘A-listers’, Burna, Davido, and co. Stop jumping on every hit song in a remix, especially releases by newer acts. Let other artistes find their own way.
The pretending to be helping them reach higher is a ridiculous watch,” Brymo wrote in his viral post.
The singer went further, describing the behaviour as “vile.” He accused his colleagues of masking self-interest as generosity, saying their actions undermine the efforts of young artists who are still learning the ropes of the business.
“Stop seeking relevance in the efforts of those who know little about the business. It’s vile!!” he declared.
This latest outburst from Brymo has reignited an ongoing debate within Afrobeats with many industry watchers have arguing that that while features and remixes with established stars may increase a young artist’s visibility, they also tend to overshadow them.
Interestingly, Burna Boy and Davido both named in Brymo’s criticism have been known to collaborate with upcoming acts.
Davido has featured on several breakout tracks, from Mayorkun’s “Eleko” remix in the early days to more recent collaborations with buzzing street artists.
Burna Boy, too, has often lent his voice to street anthems, sometimes drawing mixed reactions from fans who feel he imposes his style heavily on the songs.
Brymo’s comments triggered reactions on social media, with fans sharply divided.
Some applauded him for speaking boldly about what they see as a form of exploitation, insisting that young acts should be allowed to thrive without interference.
Others, however, dismissed his take as unnecessarily harsh, arguing that collaborations are a cornerstone of global music growth.
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