If you are a fan of Afropop, RB, or dancehall music, you have heard of Seyi Shay, one of Nigeria's most talented and versatile singers. Seyi Shay, whose real name is Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua, has been making waves in the music industry since she debuted as a solo artist in 2011.
She has released several hit singles and albums, collaborated with top artists like Wizkid, Runtown, and Beyonc, and won numerous awards and nominations. But how much do you know about her background, journey, and achievements? In this blog post, we will explore the biography of Seyi Shay, from her early life and education to her career and personal life.
Seyi Shay Early life and education
Seyi Shay was born to Nigerian parents on December 21, 1985, in Tottenham, London, England. Her mother was from Northern Nigeria, and her father was a native of Ife. She has two elder brothers and an elder sister. She and her siblings were raised by their single mother, who was a chorister. Seyi Shay grew up in a religious setting and felt like a single child during her adolescence.
Her interest in music was influenced by members of her household. Her sister used to compose songs for the BBC, and her brother was a prominent club and radio DJ in London. Seyi Shay joined her secondary school choir and started performing at the age of 6. She performed for the London Community Gospel Choir during their world tour, which included 13 cities in Japan.
Seyi Shay attended the Command High School in Maryland, Lagos, before returning to London for her undergraduate studies. She holds a degree in Music and Business Management, which she obtained from a local UK college and the University of East London, respectively.
Seyi Shay's Career in Music
Seyi Shay started her music career when she was still a child. Her motivation came from her late mother and siblings, who were also involved in music in different ways. At the age of 14, she performed for the London Community Gospel Choir during their world tour, which included 13 cities in Japan.
Seyi Shay signed a record deal with No Apology, a record label, and formed a UK-based girl band called Boadicea in 2006. The band was managed by Ron Tom, the founder and manager of the Sugababes and All Saints. The band disbanded after two years, and Seyi Shay decided to pursue a solo career.
In 2008, Seyi Shay auditioned for SoundGirl, a new girl group that was being put together by Mathew Knowles, the father and former manager of Beyonc. She impressed Knowles with her singing and dancing skills and became the group's lead singer, later renamed From Above.
The group signed a recording deal with Sony's Columbia Records and was managed by Knowles' Music World Entertainment company. The group also starred in a reality TV show called Breaking From Above, which aired on MTV in 2011. The show documented their journey to stardom and their preparation for the release of their debut album. However, the album was never released, and the group eventually split up.
Seyi Shay moved to Nigeria in 2011 after being advised by Sound Sultan, a Nigerian rapper and singer, to explore the Nigerian music market. She met with Cecil Hammond, the CEO of Flytime Music, and signed a recording contract with the label.
She also joined the Flytime Music Academy, a platform that helps aspiring singers develop their skills and talents. She released her first solo single, "Loving Your Way," in 2012, followed by "No Le Le" and "Irawo." She also featured on the "Bad Girl" remix by Jesse Jagz, alongside Wizkid.
In 2013, Seyi Shay left Flytime Music and started her own label, Stargurl. She released more singles, such as "Ragga Ragga," "Chairman," featuring Kcee, and "Murda," featuring Patoranking and Shaydee. She also collaborated with international artists, such as Justin Timberlake, Brian Michael Cox, Rob Knoxx, and Harmony Samuels.
She wrote and produced three songs for the soundtrack of Konami's video game Crime Life: Gang Wars. She also wrote "White Lies" for Chipmunk's Transition album and "You Go Kill Me" for Beyonc's unreleased album.
In 2015, Seyi Shay signed a global recording contract with Island Records, a division of Universal Music Group. She released her debut studio album, Seyi or Shay, in November 2015. The album featured guest appearances from Wizkid, Timaya, Phyno, Banky W, Iyanya, and others.
The album was supported by the singles "Right Now," "Pack and Go," featuring Olamide, and "Mary," featuring Phyno. The album received positive reviews from critics and fans and was nominated for Best RB/Pop Album at the 2016 Headies Awards.
In 2016, Seyi Shay released a single titled "Yolo Yolo," produced by DJ Coublon. The song was a fusion of Afrobeat, Latin, and highlife genres and showcased Seyi Shay's versatility and vocal prowess.
The song was a commercial success and won the Best RB Single at the 2017 City People Music Awards. Seyi Shay also released an EP titled Electric Package Vol. 1 in 2018, which featured collaborations with DJ Spinall, DJ Neptune, Kiss Daniel, Slimcase, and others. The EP contained the hit singles "Alele," "Surrender," and "Bia."
In 2019, Seyi Shay released another single titled "Gimme Love," featuring Runtown. The song was a romantic ballad that expressed her feelings for her lover. The song was well received by fans and critics and was nominated for Best Collaboration at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards. Seyi Shay also released a remix of the song, featuring American singer Teyana Taylor, in September 2019. The remix was accompanied by a video that was shot in Harlem, New York, and directed by Walu.
In 2020, Seyi Shay released two singles, "Tuale" featuring Ycee, Zlatan, and Small Doctor, and "Pempe" featuring Yemi Alade. The former was a street anthem that celebrated the hustlers and hard workers in Nigeria, while the latter was a female empowerment song that addressed the issues of gender inequality and discrimination in the music industry. Both songs were well received by fans and critics and showcased Seyi Shay's ability to blend different genres and styles.
Seyi Shay Personal life
Seyi Shay is not married, but she has been linked to several celebrities in the past. She was rumored to have dated Wizkid, Vector, and Sound Sultan but denied the allegations. She also had a brief relationship with Iyanya, but they broke up due to personal reasons. Seyi Shay is currently single and focused on her career.
Seyi Shay is also involved in philanthropy and social causes. She is an ambassador for the United Nations' campaign to end child mortality and has performed at several charity events and concerts.
She is also an advocate for women's rights and empowerment and has spoken out against sexual harassment and violence against women. She is also a supporter of the Nigerian football team and has performed the national anthem in several matches.
Seyi Shay Awards and nominations
Seyi Shay has won several awards and nominations for her music and achievements. Some of them are:
Best Female Artiste in West Africa at the 2014 All Africa Music Awards
Best Female Artist at the 2014 Nigerian Entertainment Awards
Best Female Artist at the 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards
Best Female Artist at the 2015 Nigerian Music Video Awards
Best Female Artist at the 2016 Nigerian Entertainment Awards
Best RB Single for "Right Now" at the 2016 Headies Awards
Best RB Single for "Yolo Yolo" at the 2017 City People Music Awards
Best Collaboration for "Gimme Love" featuring Runtown at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards
Controversy And Activism Of Seyi Shay
Seyi Shay has been in the spotlight for her music and controversies. Some of the controversies and activism that she has been involved in are:
In 2016, she was accused of lying about her age, claiming to be 30 years old when she was 35. She denied the allegations and said she had no reason to lie about her age
In 2017, she was involved in a feud with fellow singer Tiwa Savage, after she released a song titled "Yolo Yolo" that allegedly dissed Tiwa Savage. Tiwa Savage responded by calling her out on social media and releasing a song titled "All Over" that mocked Seyi Shay. The two singers later reconciled and performed together at a concert.
In 2018, she sparked controversy when she said she did not know who Wizkid was, despite having collaborated with him. She later clarified that she was joking and respected Wizkid as an artist.
In 2019, she was criticized for wearing a sheer dress that exposed her underwear at the Headies Awards. She defended her choice of outfit and said she was comfortable with her body.
In 2020, she joined the #EndSARS protests against police brutality and corruption in Nigeria. She also donated money and food to the protesters and urged the government to listen to their demands.
In 2021, she became a judge on the sixth season of Nigerian Idol, a reality singing competition. She faced backlash from some viewers and social media users for being harsh and rude to some of the contestants, especially a 17-year-old boy named Mayowa, whom she told that he could never make money as a singer. She defended her comments and said she was being honest and constructive.
Seyi Shay is a talented and successful singer but also a controversial and outspoken figure. She has been praised and criticized for her music, fashion, opinions, and actions. She is a star girl who is unafraid to speak her mind and stand up for her beliefs.
Conclusion
Seyi Shay is one of Nigeria and Africa's most talented and successful singers. She has proven her versatility and creativity with her music and performances. She has also inspired many young girls and women with her passion and dedication. She is a star girl in every sense of the word, and we can't wait to see what she has in store for us next. Seyi Shay, we love you!
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