Deborah Oluwa-seyi Joshua, professionally known as ‘Seyi Shay’ (pronounced Shay-yee Shay), is a Nigerian artist, songwriter, and performer who has carved a niche for herself and well respected in the music industry.
Early Life
December 21, 1985, Seyi Shay was born in Tottenham, London, United Kingdom, where she was nurtured also. She started visiting Nigeria when she was two years old.
Education
Seyi Shay started her primary education in Nigeria, she attended the Command High School in Maryland, Lagos and went back to London for her University education. She studied music at a local UK college, and went on to study Business Management at the University of East London.
Music Career
She said her mother wasn’t a firm fan of her musical ambitions because her mother wanted her to become a doctor or lawyer. Prior to departing the Earth, her mother told her to focus on her music career and put God first.
The slender musician began performing at the age of six. She was once a member of the London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC) headed by Basil Meade, whose international tours and acclaim, afforded her a platform to perform in different cities around the world (including a 13 city tour in Japan) at the tender age of fourteen.
Her music career took a turnaround when she signed her first ever record deal with No Apology, a record company affiliated with George Martin (commonly referred to as the “Fifth Beatle”). In 2006, Shay formed a girl band in the UK called Boadicea; they were managed by Ron Tom, the founder and manager of All Saints and Sugababes.
The band separated after two years, and Shay decided to partake in the From Above UK singing audition. After the conclusion of the audition, she emerged as the lead vocalist for the now defunct girl group ‘From Above’. The group inked a record deal with Mathew Knowles’ management company after performing for him.
They were taken to Houston to undergo energetic vocal and dance trainings. The group supported Beyoncé while she was in the UK for her I Am… World Tour. They presented an award at the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards and had their own MTV reality show called Breaking From Above, which aired in over 166 countries around the world. The group later disassembled and Shay had an opportunity to continue her management deal with Mathew Knowles, as well as secure a recording contract with Sony.
Shay was introduced to Sound Sultan during his visit to London in 2011. After listening to some of her demos, Sultan convinced her to relocate to Nigeria to pursue her musical career. She 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.
In 2013, Shay left Flytime Music. Shay has worked with a number of musicians, including Justin Timberlake, Brian Michael Cox, Darey, Bilal, Michelle Williams, Chip, Rob Knoxx, H-Money, and Cameron Wallace.
Breakout Songs
Irawo
Chairman
Ragga Ragga
Murda
Crazy
Yolo Yolo
Pack and Go
Ko Ma Roll
Alele
Bia
Weekend Vibes
Album/EP
Album: Seyi or Shay (2015)
EP: Electric Package (2018)
Performances
Shay performed at the 2013 COSON song awards.
In July 2013, she performed at one of Big Brother Africa 8’s live eviction shows.
On 20 July 2013, she performed in Asaba for the 2013 edition of Star Music Trek.
On 27 September 2013, Shay graced the stage at the Sisters with Soul concert, which was headlined by Mary J. Blige.
On 20 November 2013, she performed “Bad” with Wale at the Johnnie Walker Step Up to VIP Lifestyle Launch event (held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos).
Shay was a supporting act on the 2013 Hennessy Artistry 2013 Club.[23] In December 2013, she performed at the Harp Rhythm Unplugged concert.
On 15 February 2014, Shay performed with Kelly Rowland, D’banj, Tiwa Savage, Mo’ Eazy, Zaina, Timi Dakolo, Waje, Muna, JJC and Eva Alordiah at Darey’s Love Like A Movie concert.
Movie Featured
Lara and the Beat (2018)
Awards
In 2013, she won the City People Entertainment Awards – Best New Musician of the Year (Female)
She was nominated for The Headies in the Next Rated and Best Female Vocal Performance category in 2013.
She was nominated in 2015 for MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) for Best Female And Video Of The Year.
Endorsements
In 2013, she signed an endorsement deal with telecommunications service provider Etisalat to become their brand ambassador.
In 2015, Seyi Shay signed a global recording contract with Island Records and was made a Pepsi Ambassador.
In 2016, she was made an ambassador for Nigerian Stock Exchange alongside Burna Boy. She also became an ambassador for Middle east telecoms company, Samssons.
In 2017, she became yet another ambassador for phone brand, Gionee.
Scandals
In an interview with Punch in 2013, when asked about her success in the music industry, the singer added a bit of controversy when she replied that she’s a lady buy men see her as sex symbol. “I would attribute it to hard work, years of experience and believing in God. I am a female but men would always see me as a sex symbol,” she said.
2016, social media went agog when Seyi Shay failed the meaning of ‘EP’, which means ‘Extended Play’. According to Seyi Shay on Hip TV, EP means ‘Electric Package’. This blunder comes weeks after she pronounced ‘two’ as ‘Tuwo’ on Pulse TV.
Seyi Shay allegedly shaded Tiwa Savage in her cover for Kizz Daniel’s ‘Fvck You’ challenge. Social media commenters said the singer (Seyi) suggested that Tiwa collected her lover (Wizkid), while throwing shade at the Mavin Records start’s marriage crash to Tee Billz. Seyi Shay’s lyrics reads; “You say you be my sister but you wan collect my lover, you be deceiver olofofo ati robber nah why I no dey fuck with you anymore, I no get time for you anymore. You know I’m not Savage I pay my Bills You no go see my name for the escape oo. As olosho don be your hobby, you come dey use fork lift their hubby.”
Personal Life
Seyi Shay has been linked to Vector and Wizkid. She denied dating Wizkid, even after grabbing his crotch in music video of ‘Crazy’, she said Wiz is his distant cousin.
She also sparked romance rumours when she posted a picture of herself and Ice Prince cuddling in a car, captioned it, ‘Awwwwww!!! Even kissed my big ol’ forehead … Road trip! We ridin’… Le boo, Le Nigg, Le AnR, The Prince n I’.
Vector, however, admitted he had something with the ‘Weeknd Vibes’ singer while discussing about their roles in a movie they featured in. “Yeah, we had moments, we had moments. It was a bit awkward working with her on the set of the upcoming movie, Lara and the Beat,” he revealed.