Seyi Shay

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Seyi Shay
afro-fusion
  • reggae
  • dancehall
  • Occupation(s)
    • Singer
    • songwriter
    • actress
    Instrument(s)Vocals
    Years active2001–present[A]
    Labels
    Websiteiamseyishay.com

    Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua (born Oluwaseyi Joshua; 21 December 1985),

    Etisalat.[7][8] In July 2015, she signed a record deal with Island Records.[9] In 2015, she signed a two-year endorsement deal with Pepsi.[10] Shay released her debut studio album Seyi or Shay in November 2015. It was supported by the promotional singles "Irawo", "Ragga Ragga", "Right Now" and "Murda", featuring Patoranking and Shaydee. In January 2021, she signed a publishing deal with the French division of Universal Music Publishing Group[11][12]

    Life and career

    1985–2010: Early life, career beginnings, songwriting, and record deal with Flytime

    Oluwaseyi Joshua was born and raised in

    Thisday, Shay said that her mother wasn't a staunch supporter of her musical ambitions. Moreover, her mother wanted her to become a doctor or lawyer.[15] Prior to departing the Earth, her mother told her to focus on her music career and put God first.[14]

    Her music career took an upswing when she signed her first ever record deal with No Apologies, a record company affiliated with

    Darey, Bilal, Michelle Williams, Chip, Rob Knoxx, H-Money, and Cameron Wallace.[6]

    She wrote and produced three songs for the soundtrack to Konami's video game Crime Life: Gang Wars (2005).[19][20] She also wrote "You Will See", a song that was included on Melanie C's third studio album Beautiful Intentions (2005). Shay wrote "White Lies", a song from Chip's Transition album.[19]

    Shay was introduced to Sound Sultan during her visit to London in 2011. After listening to some of her demos, Sultan convinced her to relocate to Nigeria and pursue a musical career there.[1][21] In addition to meeting Sultan, Shay was introduced to Cecil Hammond of Flytime Promotions. Hammond signed her to his record label Flytime Music and decided to launch her solo career in Nigeria.[6] In 2013, Shay left Flytime Music and told Vanguard newspaper that she had joined the label to promote her brand. She also said that while signed to the record label, she was very much in control of her brand. Moreover, she said she still has a relationship with the label.[21]

    2011–2019: Seyi or Shay, Electric Package, notable performances, and concert residency

    Seyi Shay performing for Ndani Sessions in October 2018

    Shay released her debut studio album Seyi or Shay in November 2015. Work on the album started as early as 2013. Shay worked with several producers in Nigeria, including Jay Sleek, Tee Y Mix, Del B and Cobhams Asuquo. On 11 August 2011, she released "Loving Your Way" and "No Le Le", two promotional singles that helped launched her singing career in Nigeria.[22][23]

    On 27 July 2012, Shay released "Irawo" as the album's lead single. The song was produced by

    Vector and was released on 6 December 2012.[26]

    Shay performed at the 2013 COSON song awards.

    Asaba for the 2013 edition of Star Music Trek.[30] In August 2013, Shay released the Timaya-assisted track "Killin' Me Softly", as album's second single. It was written and produced by Del B. Shay told Ajose she felt in love with the song when she first heard it, and reached out to Timaya for a verse because she wanted a different vibe on the song.[21] On 27 September 2013, Shay graced the stage at the Sisters with Soul concert, which was headlined by Mary J. Blige.[31]

    On 6 October 2013, Shay released "Ragga Ragga" and "Chairman" as the third and fourth singles from the album.

    Victoria Island, Lagos).[34] Shay was a supporting act on the 2013 Hennessy Artistry 2013 Club.[35] In December 2013, she performed at the Harp Rhythm Unplugged concert.[36]

    On 8 January 2014, Shay released the music video for "Ragga Ragga"; it was shot and directed in Lagos by Peters.

    Darey's Love Like A Movie concert.[39] On 22 April 2016, she released music video of Pack and Go, off her debut album Seyi or Shay, featuring Olamide.[40]

    On 1 April 2014, Shay released the Dokta Frabz-produced single "Murda". The song features additional vocals from

    The song Murda made its way to the UK charting at number 8 on BBC 1 xtra charts, this was also the first time Shays music would be play listed on radio in the uk.

    On 10 January 2017, she released the critically acclaimed debut single Yolo Yolo produced by DJ Coublon.[44] On 20 March 2017, the music video was released and directed by Meji Alabi.[45] The video was nominated at the 12th edition of The Headies for Best Music Video. The record "Yolo Yolo", became Baileys commercial sound track for west and Sub-Saharan Africa.[46] In 2019, Shay released Gimme Love, a record featuring Runtown, and she won the Best R&B Single at the 13th edition of The Headies. Later that year, in December, she released the remix and video to Gimme Love, featuring Teyana Taylor.

    In March 2019, Shay announced on Instagram that she had been given a concert residency in the United Kingdom.[47] The 2-night residency at the Biosdale of Canary Wharf in London was billed to hold on 29 and 30 May 2019.[48][49]

    2020–present: Nigerian Idol, Aristokrat Group, and Universal Music France

    On 2 February 2021, MultiChoice Nigeria, unveil Seyi Shay, as one of the three judges[50] of Nigerian Idol season 6, through DStv official website. In March 2021, during the audition, she was criticized on Twitter by Nigerians for her remarks on Mayowa “Tohrus” Odueyungbo, a 17-years-old singer, over his stage performances.[51] On 29 March 2021, Frank Edoho, called out all judges of the show, as trash over her remark on Tòhrus.[52] She responded to the trend with a tweet, in quote "I’m feeling like #JudgeJudy right now. You either love her or you hate her, and that’s quite alright! either way, thanks for the #1 trend tweeps 😘".[53]

    On 7 June 2020, Piriye Isokrari unveiled Seyi Shay, as one of the females artists signed to

    Universal Music Publishing,[11] France division, and Aristokrat Publishing,[55] following the jointed partnership between Universal Music France, and The Aristokrat Group
    .

    Artistry and role models

    Although her musical style is primarily a combination of

    Discography

    Albums

    EPs

    • Electric Package (2018)

    Selected singles

    As lead artist
    Year Title Album
    2011 "Loving Your Way" Non-album single
    "No Le Le"
    2012 "Irawo"
    "Irawo" (Remix) (featuring
    Vector
    )
    2013 "Chante" (featuring Ajuju)
    "Killin' Me Softly" (featuring Timaya)
    "Chairman" (featuring Kcee)
    "Ragga Ragga"
    2014 "Murda" (featuring Patoranking and Shaydee) Seyi or Shay
    2015 "Crazy" (featuring
    Wizkid
    )
    "Jangilova"
    "Right Now"
    2016 "Pack and Go" (featuring Olamide )
    2018 "Ko Ma Roll" (featuring Harmonize) Non-album single
    As featured artist
    Year Title Album
    2013 "For You" (Praiz featuring Seyi Shay) Non-album single
    "Paradise" (Mr Walz featuring Seyi Shay) Walz Have Ears
    "Get Down" (Yung GreyC featuring Seyi Shay) Non-album single
    "Yarinya" (Amir featuring Seyi Shay)
    2014 "In Love" (
    Wizkid
    featuring Seyi Shay)
    Ayo
    2015 "Sugar" (Ayoola featuring Seyi Shay) Non-album single
    "The Motion" (DJ Lambo featuring Seyi Shay, Cynthia Morgan & Eva Alordiah)
    2016 "Only You (Remix)" (Nikki Laoye featuring Seyi Shay)
    2017 "Celebrate" (NC Dread featuring Seyi Shay)
    2018 "Yalla Habibi" (Ragheb Alama featuring Seyi Shay and Costi Ioniță)
    2018 "Bia" Electric Package
    2018 "Alele" (featuring DJ Consequence and
    Flavour N'abania
    )
    2020 "By Gones" (Navio featuring Seyi Shay and Sheila Way) Strength in Numbers

    Selected videography

    Year Title Director Ref
    2014 "Murda" (featuring Patoranking and Shaydee) Meji Alabi [57]
    2015 "Right Now" [58]
    2017 "Bia" Clarence Peters [59]
    "Weekend Vibes" (Remix) (featuring Sarkodie) Moe Musa [60]
    "Your Matter" (featuring Eugy and Efosa) Meji Alabi [61]
    2018 "Surrender" (featuring Kizz Daniel) Clarence Peters [62]
    2019 "Ko Ma Roll" (featuring Harmonize) Cardoso Imagery [63]
    "Gimme Love" (featuring Runtown) Clarence Peters [64]

    Filmography

    Year Title Role Notes
    2018 Lara and the Beat Lara [65]

    Awards and nominations

    Year Event Prize Recipient Result Ref
    2013 The Headies Best Vocal Performance (Female) "Irawo" Nominated [66]
    Next Rated
    Herself Nominated
    City People Entertainment Awards Best New Musician of the Year (Female) Won [67]
    Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best New Act of the Year Nominated [68]
    Chase Awards Artiste of the Year (Female) [69]
    Song of the Year "Irawo"
    2014 2014 Channel O Music Video Awards Most Gifted Female "Irawo" Nominated [70]
    City People Entertainment Awards Musician of the Year (Female) Herself Nominated [71]
    2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Female Artist of the Year Nominated [72]
    World Music Awards World's Best Song "Ragga Ragga" Nominated [73]
    World's Best Video Nominated
    World's Best Female Artiste Herself Nominated
    World's Best Live Act Nominated
    World's Best Entertainer of the Year Nominated
    2015 MTV Africa Music Awards 2015 Best Female & Video of the Year TBA Nominated [74][75]
    2019 The Headies Best R&B Single "Gimme Love" Won [76]
    2021 Net Honours Most Popular Musician Herself Nominated [77]
    Most Searched Musician (female) Nominated [78]

    Notes

    1. ^ Shay told Kemi Lawal of The Punch that she became a professional singer at the age of 14.[1]

    References

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    External links