Thursday, 24 October 2013
COURT INJUNCTION AGAINST BRYMO
Nigerian Singer Olawale Ashiru ‘Brymo’ who until hitherto was one of Chocolate City’s biggest signing seems to be in legal hot water with his Label. Brymo reportedly signed a contract with the label which has Jude Abaga ‘M.I’ as the Oga at the top. Brymo’s contract with Chocolate City was meant to last till 2016, but given his human affinity for disputes seems to be at loggerheads with his label. Chocolate City which has other talented artistes like IcePrince, M.I and formerly Jesse Jagz is one of the biggest labels in the country.
Now why am I going way out of my comfort zone to make this story? Chocolate city on Monday 21st October got an injunction through their legal firm, L & A Legal consultants against Brymo, “restraining him from recording, releasing, distributing any composition, song, musical works or carrying out any activity as a recording or performing artist through or for the benefit of any other organisation other than Chocolate City pending the determination of the suit against him.” So in other words, if he doesn’t settle his dispute with Chocolate City, his career is ‘finished’, as he cannot even do a collaboration or feature on another artiste’s track. To do so would be in contempt of the orders of the court.
Brymo seems to be very pissed with the development, as it is very paramount in his intentions to opt out of the label as soon as possible, but Chocolate City having nurtured him into the artiste he is today is reluctant to let him go, at least not until the expiration of his contract in 2016. This current development has been raking a lot of public reaction, given the fact that Brymo is one of Nigeria’s talented artiste. Many are concerned about the future of Chocolate City, which has already lost Jesse Jagz, another talented hip hop artiste to a similar brouhaha.
What is worthy of note is the lackadaisical attitude with which many Nigerians sign contracts these days. Many do not even know the implications of what they are signing. Most of our ‘big-shot’ artistes are what I would term illiterates, as they didn’t finish their education. Some dropped out of school to make music, while others didn’t even have intention of schooling at all. This is one of the major reasons why most of them ‘gbagaun’ on Twitter and other Social Networking sites on a daily basis. In fact, some of them even go to such lengths as ‘gbagauning’ in their lyrics. It is not out of place to listen to a Nigerian hit song and wonder whether the person who wrote the lyrics actually read what he wrote.
Nigeria is a country that is so talented, that the number of upcoming artistes is actually more than the audience who are interested in listening to the track. The Legal Watchmen is appealing to all upcoming artistes to biko, biko, biko, understand the terms of contract with the label that is signing you. If the terms of the contract is voluminous, and worded in a manner that may induce headache, try and get a lawyer or at least a law student to explain your rights and liabilities. There is a well-known Latin maxim in law: ubi jus ubi remedium. Where there is a right there is a remedy. No matter how disparaging the terms of contract may seem, there would be loopholes which you can utilize in your favour.
It is high time education is taken seriously in this country, and standards set.
Brymo is very talented no doubt, but even the best talent when left idle for three years will experience strain and pressure. It is best that he settles this amicably in the interest of his career. He is too talented not to work.
Incase you don’t know who Brymo is (are you a learner?) Naa him sing Good Morning and Ara. And he put mouth for Iceprince’ Oleku.
I am oluwanonso_Esq on Twitter.
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the owner of choc city is Audu Maikori not m.i. brymo should get a good lawyer and reach a settlement with choc city.
ReplyDeleteOf course Audu is the Chairman/CEO, but M.I is the most Senior Musician. Brymo should find an amicable way to bury the hatchet. Getting a lawyer might help
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