Nigerian singer Inetimi Alfred Odom, popularly known as Timaya, has revealed how his decision to use controversy as a strategy early in his career ended up costing him.
In a recent interview with Channels TV, the “Dem Mama” hitmaker opened up about how the media escalated his actions, creating challenges he hadn’t thought of.
Timaya shared that his controversial persona was initially a calculated move.
“My being controversial was a strategy, but the press took it too far; they wanted to kill me,” he said.
At the time, traditional media, particularly newspapers, dominated public perception, which meant that once a story about him was published, it lingered for days.
“For that one week, you will be the topic of discussion. When you go to buy suya the next week, you will see your face in the newspaper that was used to wrap it. So, it was really hard,” he recalled.
The Port Harcourt-born singer also noted how his background played a role in his controversial image. “People thought I was crazy. My foundation as a Port Harcourt boy also played a role in me being controversial back then.”
In response to the blowback, Timaya said he eventually decided to rebrand, stepping away from the image that had earned him both fame and unwanted attention.
Throughout his career, Timaya has been embroiled in several high-profile controversies, including an infamous breakup with actress Empress Njamah, during which he retrieved a car he had gifted her.
He also had a public fallout with music producer Nico Gravity.
More recently, in 2023, fellow musician Terry G accused him of owing music royalties.
Source: PM News
