Discursive exploration of self-adulation in selected songs of Ọláwálé Ọlọ́fọ̀ọ́rọ̀ (a.k.a Brymo)

Abstract

Self-adulation, a term that encapsulates the attitude of possessing a high opinion of oneself or one’s importance, in Nigerian popular music (NPM) has interested Nigerian scholars. With the paucity of studies on Brymo, a Nigerian music artist who fuses Afrobeat with folk music, alternative rock, and R&B to comment on sociopolitical issues, the study explored self-praise in his songs to serve as an addition to the studies on the artist. The qualitative research method served as the methodological anchor for the study. The lyrics of àkọ́kọ́ and Ọkùnrin mẹ́ta (Ẹdùn Ọkàn) from his eighth studio album, Èsan were purposively sampled and transcribed. Martin and White’s appraisal theory was the analytical technique utilised to guide the transcribed data. The findings of the analysis note that Brymo adopts the attitude and engagement elements of the appraisal theory. He employs judgment, a sub-element of attitude, to portray himself as a gifted musician compared to his colleagues. He also deploys monoglossia, a sub-element of engagement, to use dialogue on his greatness, depicting that none of his peers comes close to his greatness.