How Use Of Controversy As Strategy Almost Killed Me – Timaya Recounts

Nigerian singer, Inetimi Alfred Odom, popularly known as Timaya, has opened up about how his decision to use controversy as a strategy almost killed him.

Naija News reports that Timaya, in a recent interview with Channels TV,  said being controversial was a strategy, but the media overstretched it.

The ‘Dem Mama’ crooner said many people had thought he was crazy due to his controversial lifestyle, noting that he deliberately rebranded after his controversial strategy backfired.

He said, “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.

“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. At 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.”

Timaya has been involved in several controversies, including retrieving a car gift from his ex-girlfriend and Nollywood actress, Empress Njamah, after their relationship breakup.

He also had a rift with music producer,  Nico Gravity and was called out by his colleague, Terry G, over alleged debt in music royalties.