Brymo isn't pleading to join Chocolate City

A rejoinder by Joey AKan to Tony Kan‘s plea to President of Chocolate City Group, Audu Maikori, to recall the singer into his fold

Mr Toni Kan, I read your article like a child, sucks on his favorite lollipop; enthusiastic and happy. With beautiful words, and extra lyrical perception and understanding, you have opened the eyes of many to ‘Purple Jar’, a song which has one of the best melodies to have come out of Nigeria. Thank you for this. Also, I thank you for your good heart, which seeks to improve the lot of Brymo by recommending him back into a ‘larger and efficient’ setup, for his music to thrive. This is selfless, and the industry currently needs more of this beneficial moves.

But Mr Kan, in the specifics of your argument, I disagree on your fine points. Brymo does not need Chocolate City. He is fine. He is successful, and he is flying, way higher than he would have flown had he been manacled to Chocolate City.

First, Uncle Toni, your plea to Audu Maikori, as convincing and emotional as it sounds, is late. It is, by empirical calculations, 2 years late. Brymo made the decision to leave Chocolate City after seeing his career stagnate, and begin to hit a low. His sound was skewed for pop commercial profits, and as a creative soul, his inner harmony which gives him the ability to stay in love with his singing was lost.

He left because he was dissatisfied and lost.

After Brymo’s departure from the group, the legal case which ensued was lethal enough to kill a man, his dreams, and most importantly, his hope. With running legal battle, injunctions, intrigue and debilitating drama, the embattled soul kept his wit about himself, focused on his music, and released what can arguably be called the best album Nigeria can boast of in the past decade – “Merchants, Dealers & Slaves,” which contains timeless records such as ‘Eko’, ‘Purple Jar’, and ‘Down’.

This was nothing short of super human. After hitting a low, he dropped that album, which not only put him back on the map, but also did skyrocket his brand.

The ubiquitous story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 is an age-old pointer to the goodness that mankind has the potential to exhibit. Forgiveness is hard, and acceptance is nigh on impossible for today’s generation of self-serving people. And in the case of Brymo, this analogy, technically does not apply.

The story of the prodigal son has no alternative. What would have happened if the departing son was astute with money, and prudently applied his share of the wealth he was bequeathed? What if he became a success, set up shop, and led a life worthy of emulation, filled with happiness and prosperity.

Would this analogy still apply?