Oṣó

Oṣó (Yoruba: The Wizard) is the sixth studio album by Nigerian singer Brymo. It was released independently on 27 March 2018. The album was produced entirely by Mikky Me Joses and consists of 11 tracks, including three recorded in the Yoruba language. Oṣó is a mixture of Alternative folk and Yoruba music and has elements of mysticism; it sheds light on Brymo's folk and traditional roots. Oṣó was supported by the singles "Heya!" and "Bá’núsọ". It received critical acclaim from music critics, who complimented its production and Brymo's songwriting. The website Pulse Nigeria and Nigerian Entertainment Today ranked Oṣó second on their list of the best Nigerian albums of 2018.

Oṣó
Studio album by
Brymo
ReleasedMarch 27, 2018
Genre
Length38:00
LabelIndependent
ProducerMikky Me Joses
Brymo chronology
Klĭtôrĭs
(2016)		 Oṣó
(2018)		 A.A.A
(2019)
Singles from Oṣó
  1. "Heya!"
    Released: March 28, 2018
  2. "Bá’núsọ"
    Released: September 9, 2018

Background

In November 2017, Brymo announced on Twitter that plans were underway for the album. He disclosed its title was Oṣó (Yoruba: The Wizard) and launched a website theosoproject.com dedicated to the project.[1] He also said the album would exclude Afrobeat and instead draw inspiration from Apala and Yoruba folk music.[2] Brymo said the album's entire production incorporated the use of live instrumentation.[3] In an interview with Joey Akan, Brymo said Oṣó was darker than anything he has ever made.[4] On 14 March 2018, Brymo unveiled the album's track list on Instagram. The post revealed the album was mastered at Metalworks Studios in Canada.[5] Oṣó is a mixture of alternative folk and Yoruba music.[6][7] It has elements of mysticism and sheds light on Brymo's folk and traditional roots.[8] Oṣó was produced and mixed entirely by his frequent collaborator Mikky Me Joses.[7][5] The album's cover was designed by Lemi Ghariokwu, an artist who has illustrated 26 album covers for Fela Kuti. The cover features a black cat, one of Africa's most revered mascots of black magic.[9]

Composition

Oṣó opens with "No Be Me", a song that reminds listeners of their humanity and subjection to their environment; Brymo is heard singing over soothing strings and snares.[6] In the acoustic interlude "Mama", Brymo questions his ability to go further than he has, how nothing in the world has changed since his mother bore him and how unfair life is.[6] "Heya!" is accompanied by a piano and is a nod to the complexity and multitude of human experiences.[6] The optimistic song "Patience and Goodluck" has been described as having a "comforting underlying message" exemplified by lyrics like "if you wait, you go soon find out say good time go come again".[7] The track contains somber percussion, violins and other orchestra-esque harmonies.[7] The self-loving track "God is in Your Mind" combines Brymo's vocals with a guitar riff by David Ubani; the song urges listeners to look inward and appreciate God's presence in them.[7][10] In "Time is so Kind", Brymo vocals are accompanied by a combination of electric guitar harmonies, horns and drums; he philosophizes about time and life and urges listeners to feel exactly what they are feeling.[6] The love ballad "Entropy" features an intense but gentle mix of percussion and strings.[11] The track "Money Launderers and Heartbreakers" is reminiscent of 9ice's "Living Things".[11] The nostalgic track "Ọlánrewájú" borrows from the tradition of Yoruba storytelling.[11] The Jùjú-inspired track "Olúmọ" combines the talking drum with a saxophone and folklore instrumentals; the song is a tribute to Nigerian playwright Wole Soyinka.[12][13] In "Bá’núsọ", Brymo continues to offer pseudo-intellectual advice.[7]

Singles

The album's lead single "Heya!" was released on 28 March 2018, along with its music video.[14] Sahara Reporters ranked "Heya!" seventh on their list of the 10 Most Popular Songs of 2018.[15] However, in a negative review for the website Music in Africa, music journalist Oris Aigbokhaevbolo said the lyrics of "Heya!" are not worth the singer's striptease.[16] The accompanying music video for "Heya!" was released on 28 March. Filmed and directed by NVMB3R Production, the video features Brymo exposing his buttocks while wearing a loincloth to hide his genitals.[14] The video received mixed reviews; those in support of it described it as a moment of brilliance, while those in opposition see it as Brymo's attempt to draw attention to himself.[16][17] In an email to Pulse Nigeria, Brymo defended his decision to expose his buttocks, saying, "I decided to appear how my forebears dressed before the arrival of civilization to Nubian continent."[18] Pulse Nigeria ranked the video fourth on their list of the top 10 Nigerian Music Videos for the year.[19]

The album's second single "Bá’núsọ" (Yoruba: "Follow Up") was released on 9 September 2018, along with its music video.[20][13] The media company More Branches ranked "Bá’núsọ" first on their list of the 50 songs they rocked in the first half of 2018.[21] The music video for the song was filmed by Victor Adewale and edited by Samuel Obadina.[22] It features Brymo conveying weighty messages in a dark-themed room.[20] Reviewing for Music in Africa, Aigbokhaevbo described the video as "Brymo’s self-love refracted through Adewale’s lens" and also noted the video is "fitting for a song about the value of introspection and the importance of keeping your own counsel".[23]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Nigerian Entertainment Today[24]
Pulse Nigeria[25]
TooXclusive[12]

Oṣó received positive critical acclaim from music critics. Reviewing for Ventures Africa, writer David Adeleke praised the singer's approach to songwriting and the richness of his sound; Adeleke described the instrumentation on the album as "classy" and "expansive".[6] Nigerian Entertainment Today's Sandra Ezekwesili granted the album a 4.5/5 rating, describing it as "an introspective journey through love and life and the myriad of relationships in between".[24] In a review for Music in Africa, Adams Adeosun said Oṣó "shows an upswing in the conversation between Brymo and music" and further stated that the listener "becomes an intruder to an exchange between one man and his god".[11] A writer for Pulse Nigeria awarded Oṣó 4.5/5 stars, praising Brymo for creating a relaxing and environmental project that explores the human condition.[25]

Wilfred Okiche praised the album for its excellent arrangement and production. Okiche also notes the album is not completely self-absorbed and has all the strengths and weaknesses of Brymo.[26] Debola Abimbolu of Native magazine wrote that "Brymo stays true to folk music’s evergreen topics of wanderlust, love and search for nirvana—he tackles them with a graceful economy of language and fine gradients of emotions."[7] TooXclusive's Daniel Enisan rated the album 4.1 stars out of 5, praising Brymo's songwriting skills and describing Oṣó as a "masterpiece that will grow into a classic".[12] Afro 100 Media stated that the album embodies profound lyricism, relative sound and instrumental music in tune with its overall message.[27] In a review for the Daily Trust newspaper, Abdulkareem Aminu praised Brymo's overall growth and opined that Oṣó is the "best album released this year so far".[13]

Accolades

Pulse Nigeria and Nigerian Entertainment Today ranked Oṣó second on their list of the best Nigerian albums of 2018.[28][29]

Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Recipient Results Ref
2019 The Headies Best Recording of the Year "Ọlánrewájú" Nominated [30]
Best Alternative Song "Heya!" Nominated
Best Performer Himself Nominated

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ọlawale Ọlọfọrọ and produced by Mikky Me Joses.

No.TitleLength
1."No Be Me"3:12
2."Mama"1:07
3."Heya!"3:30
4."Patience and Goodluck"3:11
5."God is in Your Mind"4:46
6."Time is so Kind"5:22
7."Entropy"3:55
8."Money Launderers and Heart Breakers"3:46
9."Ọlánrewájú"3:25
10."Olúmọ"2:25
11."Bá’núsọ"3:23
Total length:38:00

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the album's back cover.[5]

  • Ọlawale Ọlọfọrọ – primary artist, writer
  • Mikky Me Joses – mixing, production, (all tracks)
  • Metalworks Studios – mastering (all tracks)
  • The Bail Entertainment Company – management
  • Clockwyce Distributions – marketing and distribution

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various March 27, 2018 CD, Digital download Independent [31]

References
  1. "Singer announces 6th studio album "Oso (The Wizard)"". Pulse Nigeria. 23 November 2017. Archived from the original on 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  2. "No Afrobeat on sixth Brymo album". Music in Africa. 23 November 2017. Archived from the original on 4 September 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  3. "Brymo Talks Higher Vibrations, Why Asa Collaboration Has not Happened". Loose Talk Podcast. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  4. Joey Akan (6 April 2020). "Isolation with Brymo: Nigeria's Mad Music Scientist". The Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  5. Oluwatobi Ibironke (14 March 2018). "Brymo Unveils Tracklist of Forthcoming 'Oso' Album". tooXclusive. Archived from the original on 4 September 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  6. Adeleke, David (28 March 2018). "Brymo's 'Oṣó' is a palette of brilliant songwriting and masterful instrumentation". Ventures Africa. Archived from the original on 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  7. Abimbolu, Debola (6 April 2018). "Essentials: Brymo's 'Oso' is perfect once you get past the melancholy". The Native Magazine. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  8. Wilfred Okiche (23 June 2018). "Album Review: Oso- Brymo". 360 Nobs. Archived from the original on 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  9. Onyekwena, Chiagoziem (14 April 2018). "Brymo, the wizard of Awe". Guardian Life. Archived from the original on 23 February 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  10. Saminu Machunga (12 March 2018). "Brymo to release sixth studio album — his 'strongest work till date'". The Cable Lifestyle. Archived from the original on 4 September 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  11. Adeosun, Adams (5 April 2018). "Brymo masters his incantations on Oso". Music in Africa. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  12. Enisan, Daniel (16 April 2018). "The Journey Of A Music Sorcerer. Brymo – "Oṣó" The Album Review". TooXclusive. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  13. Abdulkareem Baba Aminu (24 November 2018). "Review: 11 reasons why Brymo's Osó is 2019's best album". The Daily Trust. Archived from the original on 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  14. "Brymo Released A 'Nude' Music Video And Nigerian Twitter Is Going Crazy". OkayAfrica. 28 March 2018. Archived from the original on 18 April 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  15. "Review: The 10 Most Popular Songs Of 2018". Sahara Reporters. 31 December 2018. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  16. Aigbokhaevbolo, Oris (28 March 2018). "Why Brymo is naked on Heya". Music in Africa. Archived from the original on 5 September 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  17. Jide Taiwo (28 March 2018). "Brymo's "Heya" Video, A Review: Of Coarse Buttocks, Avant-Garde Art And Good Music". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  18. Joey Akan (28 March 2018). "Why singer appeared nude, wore 'G-String', showed his "butt" in his new 'Heya' video". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  19. Ohunyon, Ehis (21 December 2018). "Pulse List 2018: Top 10 Nigerian Music videos for the year". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  20. "Watch: Brymo embraces minimalism in video for 'Banuso'". The Cable Lifestyle. 9 September 2018. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  21. A. Zizu (1 August 2018). "50 Songs We Rocked In The First Half of 2018". More Branches. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  22. Ohunyon, Ehis (10 September 2018). "Brymo - 'Ba nuso'". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  23. Aigbokhaevbolo, Oris (14 September 2018). "The understated wonder of Brymo's Bá'núsọ video". Music in Africa. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  24. Ezekwesili, Sandra (31 March 2018). "Oṣó Review: Brymo Pushed The Damned Table Down". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  25. "On "Oṣó" (The Wizard), Brymo makes gentle sorcery". Pulse Nigeria. 28 March 2018. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  26. Okichie, Wilfred (23 June 2018). "Album Review: Oso- Brymo". 360 Nobs. Archived from the original on 17 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  27. "Music Review: Brymo Displays His Wizardary, Oṣó". Afro 100 Media. 6 July 2018. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  28. Ehis Ohunyon (12 December 2018). "Pulse List 2018: Top 10 Nigerian albums". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  29. Atayero, Adeoluwa (7 December 2018). "Ranking The 10 Best Albums Of 2018". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 12 December 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  30. Gbenga Bada (20 October 2019). "Headies 2019: Here are all the winners at the 13th edition of music award". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  31. "Oṣó by Brymo". iTunes. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
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