Brymo Calls “Oleku” One of Nigerian Pop’s Greatest Hooks

Brymo Declares “Oleku” Among Nigerian Pop’s Most Legendary Hooks

Nigerian singer-songwriter Brymo has reignited discourse around one of the genre’s defining moments, offering high praise for the 2010 classic “Oleku” while simultaneously challenging the very terminology used to describe the music itself. During a recent appearance on NotJustVerses, the outspoken artist delivered commentary that has the music community buzzing once again.

Brymo didn’t hold back in his assessment of “Oleku,” the Ice Prince collaboration that helped define an era of Nigerian music. He emphatically declared the track possesses “one of the greatest choruses or hooks in the history of Nigerian pop,” acknowledging the song’s undeniable impact on the country’s musical landscape. For those who lived through the “Oleku” phenomenon, Brymo’s assessment feels less like opinion and more like historical fact—the song’s infectious hook became a cultural touchstone that transcended music itself.

But Brymo wasn’t finished there. True to form, the alternative music pioneer doubled down on his controversial stance regarding industry terminology, flatly stating: “There’s no such thing as Afrobeats. Brymo said so.” This isn’t new territory for the artist, who has consistently questioned how contemporary African music gets categorized and marketed globally. His latest remarks have predictably sparked heated debate across social media platforms, with music fans and industry observers divided on both his “Oleku” praise and his rejection of the Afrobeats label.

Whether you agree with his terminology critique or not, Brymo’s comments underscore an important truth: “Oleku” remains a milestone in Nigerian pop music, and conversations about the identity and evolution of African music are far from settled. The discussion continues to evolve, much like the sound itself.

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