In a recent interview with Channels TV, singer Inetimi Alfred Odom, popularly known as Timaya, revealed that his decision to use controversy as a strategy had backfired.
He admitted that while being controversial was initially a deliberate strategy, the media’s reaction went too far and ended up being costly.
Timaya explained that he had to make a conscious effort to rebrand himself after facing the consequences of his controversial approach.
The singer has been involved in various controversies in the past, such as retrieving a car gift from his ex-girlfriend, actress Empress Njamah, after their breakup, and having conflicts with producer Nico Gravity.
Last year, fellow artist Terry G publicly accused Timaya of owing music royalties.
“My being controversial was a strategy but the press took it too far; they wanted to kill me. And back then, it wasn’t the internet; it was newspapers. When they publish it [controversial story], it goes on the street for one week before they publish another one. For that one week, you will be the topic of discussion,” he recalled.
“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. And that time, I was the only one causing controversy. People thought I was crazy. My foundation as a Port Harcourt boy also played a role in me being controversial back then.”
