Singer Inetimi Alfred Odom, popularly known as Timaya, has opened up about how his decision to use controversy as a strategy backfired.

Speaking in a recent interview with Channels TV, the ‘Dem Mama’ crooner said being controversial was a strategy, but the media overstretched it, which proved costly.

“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.”

Timaya explained that he made deliberate efforts to rebrand after his controversial strategy backfired.

The singer has been involved in several controversies in the past, including retrieving a car gift from his ex-girlfriend, actress Empress Njamah, after their breakup.

He also had beef with producer Nico Gravity years back.

Last year, his colleague, Terry G called him out over alleged debt in music royalties.