Stop Jumping on Every Hit Song in a Remix – Brymo Slams Burna Boy, Davido, and Other Artistes for Using Remixes with Upcoming Acts to Seek Relevance
Nigerian singer and songwriter, Olawale Oloforo, better known by his stage name Brymo, has once again stirred controversy with his latest remarks about the state of the Nigerian music industry. In a bold statement, the outspoken artiste criticized the growing culture of established stars hopping on trending songs by upcoming artistes through remixes. According to him, this practice is less about collaboration and more about exploitation, as big names use these remixes as a strategy to stay relevant in the ever-evolving Afrobeats scene.
Brymo, who is known for his alternative sound and fearless commentary, argued that the trend is becoming harmful to creativity and originality. He noted that many upcoming artistes spend months, sometimes years, pushing their songs until they finally break through. Just when they begin to gain traction, established superstars swoop in with remixes that often overshadow the original versions.
Burna Boy, Davido, and Others in the Spotlight
Though Brymo did not directly call out specific artistes in his initial statement, fans quickly connected his comments to Nigerian heavyweights like Burna Boy, Davido, and other top Afrobeats acts who have frequently collaborated with rising stars by remixing their viral hits.
For instance, Davido has a history of taking part in hit remixes. Songs like “Fia (Remix),” “Kizz Daniel’s Woju Remix,” and even his remix features with younger talents have been applauded for boosting careers. Similarly, Burna Boy has been featured on several tracks by upcoming and international artistes once they gained attention, such as Master KG’s “Jerusalema Remix” and more recently, his collaborations with South African stars.
While these moves often attract praise from fans who see them as support for younger artistes, Brymo insists that it is not as noble as it appears. In his view, these superstars are less interested in elevating new talent and more concerned with staying in the limelight.
The Double-Edged Sword of Remixes
The heart of Brymo’s argument lies in the effect remixes have on the original creators. On the one hand, having a global name like Davido or Burna Boy on a remix can open massive opportunities for upcoming artistes. It can push their songs to international charts, expose them to new audiences, and even lead to endorsements or record deals.
On the other hand, the downside is that these collaborations often shift the spotlight away from the original artistes. Listeners, especially international fans, may begin to associate the song more with the bigger name than the creator. This has happened in several cases, where the remix becomes more popular than the original track, leaving the young artiste overshadowed on their own song.
A music analyst commenting on the issue explained:
“Remixes are a marketing strategy. They can be a blessing, but they can also erase the identity of the artiste who created the original song. Sometimes, the big star takes all the credit.
Fans React to Brymo’s Comments
As expected, Brymo’s comments ignited debates across social media. Supporters of his view argued that upcoming artistes often get swallowed by the fame of bigger artistes, with their hard work being hijacked once a remix drops. One fan on X (formerly Twitter) wrote:
“Brymo is right. These remixes don’t always help upcoming artistes. In some cases, they lose control of their own songs.”
Others, however, strongly disagreed, stressing that these collaborations are win-win situations. According to them, without the remixes, many songs would never gain global traction. A Davido supporter argued:
“When Davido jumps on your song, it’s a blessing. It takes you from a local star to a global stage. Brymo should understand that exposure matters.”
Brymo’s Track Record of Outspokenness
This is not the first time Brymo has spoken critically about the Nigerian music scene. Over the years, he has gained a reputation for being brutally honest, often questioning the authenticity and originality of mainstream Afrobeats. Unlike many artistes who stick to the popular formula, Brymo has built his career on alternative sounds and lyrics that challenge norms.
For him, music should remain about artistry and storytelling, not just about profit or riding on someone else’s wave. His criticism of remixes, therefore, fits into his long-standing philosophy of protecting creativity and originality.
The Bigger Picture: Collaboration vs. Exploitation
Brymo’s comments raise a larger question about the balance between collaboration and exploitation in the music industry. While remixes undeniably help new artistes reach wider audiences, they also highlight the unequal power dynamics at play. An upcoming artiste might feel compelled to accept a remix offer from a superstar, fearing that rejecting it could stunt their career.
Moving forward, industry stakeholders suggest a more balanced approach. Instead of waiting until a song blows up before jumping on it, established artistes could do more to identify and support fresh talent early. True collaborations, built from scratch, would give younger artistes more room to shine and prevent their creative ownership from being diluted.
Conclusion
Brymo’s outburst may sound controversial, but it touches on a real issue in the Afrobeats industry. The culture of remixing trending songs is not inherently bad, but the intentions and outcomes often raise concerns. For upcoming artistes, a remix can be both a blessing and a curse—offering exposure while risking identity. For established stars, it’s a way to stay relevant but also a chance to genuinely uplift the next generation.
Whether or not the big names heed Brymo’s call, the conversation has once again placed the spotlight on how collaborations should be handled in Nigeria’s booming music industry.
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