Nigerian singer Olawale Oloforo, popularly known as ‘Brymo’, has urged established Afrobeats stars to create space for emerging talents, arguing that the continued dominance of a few top acts is limiting opportunities for the next generation.
Speaking during an interview on TVC, the outspoken artiste criticised the industry’s widely used “Big 3” narrative, which refers to Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy, accusing them of overstaying their influence in the pop music space.
“We need to stop talking about how new artists don’t have substance,” Brymo said.
“The industry needs to focus on the barbaric behaviour in the background—some artists trying to lock down the industry for themselves, calling themselves ‘Big 3,’ ‘Big 4,’ wanting to be forever. They have four or five children at home, and they want to sing about ‘shake body.’
“What happens to the 22-year-old artist who has recorded hits but has no opportunity to do more because the space is crowded with old guys who aren’t evolving?”
Brymo specifically mentioned Rema as one of the younger acts he believes should be at the forefront of global pop conversations.
“They should shift aside. It is a pop scene, they should evolve into something else. Right now, Rema should be like the biggest pop star in the country without any doubt,” he said.
The singer also dismissed the idea that radio dominance alone reflects relevance, insisting that the industry must evolve to reflect current global trends and allow younger voices more visibility.
“All this talk about Wizkid, 2Face, Olamide, Burna Boy. Why? In the Pop scene? Wetin dem dey sing? Are you listening to them? You can have connections and you people plug yourself on the radio it does not mean anything. Nobody likes likes your stuff anymore. Move aside, evolve. Become something better. I don’t get played on radio that much, I still make a living off the music.”
