Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua, a.k.a. Seyi Shay, is one of the female artistes doing the Nigerian music industry proud. This beautiful and sexy songstress, in this interview with BABATUNDE SULAIMAN, talks about the main reason she relocated to Nigeria about two years ago after a successful career abroad and other interesting issues
COULD you tell me about your growing up in the UK?
For me, growing up was pretty humble. I grew up in the UK with my mum, who was a single parent. She had four of us and I am the youngest. It was a nice, warm and loving household.
So, if you were raised by your mum alone, didn’t you miss the fatherly love?
Yes, I did, as I grew older. But when I was young, I didn’t feel it because my mum provided for us very well. So, I didn’t really feel that my dad was not there.
At what age did that realization dawn on you?
It was when I was about 18 or 19 years old.
Did you ask your mum any question about the breakup?
Yes, I asked her and she told me it was just the normal break up in a relationship. By the time I was born, the relationship had broken up and she had moved back to Nigeria.
So, have you reunited with your dad?
Yes, I have, since I was 23.
What did you miss, not having your dad around when you were growing up?
I missed the advice from a man; I missed being treated like a princess or the daddy’s little girl. Besides, my mum had to work often because there was no dad around.
I know you first showed evidence of a girl who has a talent for music when you were six years old. So, looking back now, how were you able to do that?
Really, I was following my mum to her choir practice at the Celestial Church of Christ, UK on Saturdays at that time. I also used to sing with my neighbour, Mariah, who was my best friend at the time. Then, I used to sing a lot in the house and my mum used to allow me to sing in both my primary and secondary schools with the choir.
Are you from an art-inclined background?
My brother was a very successful club and radio DJ in London; my mum was a chorister; my sister used to compose songs for the BBC; my immediate brother was quite musical too and my dad is actually a pastor of a church, but I don’t think he has much musical talent.
How old were you when you showed the world that you could sing
It was 14 when I went on a tour with a choir called London Community Gospel Choir. The tour consisted of singing Christmas songs in 13 cities across Japan. It lasted three weeks and I enjoyed it so much that I came back to London and told my mum that I wanted to be a singer. Of course, my mum was not really happy about that initially. She wanted me to be a doctor or a lawyer. But she realised that my extra-curricular activities revolved around music; so, she enrolled me in music and drama classes. With her help, I went to the University of East London and obtained a degree in Music Business Management. And thanks to her again, I am still into music now. I now use my talent to earn a living, which is really good.
What height did you really take your career to before you came back home?
I was part of a British girl group called From Above, which was managed by Beyonce’s father. When he took us under his wings, he signed us up and took us to Houston, USA, where we lived. We were trained there on how to perform on stage technically, how to perform in the recording studio technically, how to give interviews and how to dress, speak and talk. He managed us for four years and it really helped. He put us on a reality show, Breaking From Above, for the MTV and that was a huge success because it was shown in over 166 countries around the world. We also went with his daughter, Beyonce, for her 2010 ‘I am the Beyonce’ tour. We opened the show for her every night across the UK and it was fantastic. We presented the award for the Best New Act to Bruno Mars at the time and it was a very beautiful experience because he is one of the biggest artistes in the world now. So, you can imagine what it means that I presented him with an award just three years ago.
At what point did you begin to nurse the idea of coming to Nigeria to launch your career?
Towards the end of my relationship with my girl group, I started to think of a plan B; and thank God, I had already met with Sound Sultan by that time. Also, I had already done backing vocals for Tuface Idibia in Ukraine when he was on his Europe tour; so, I was already quite connected with the Nigerian music. Sound Sultan advised me to come to Nigeria and give it a try. So, I took his advice, came to Nigeria and met with Deola Art Alade of Soul MusiK Productions who took me under her wings and I also met with Cecil Hammond of Flytime Entertainment who also took me under his wings. They just helped me craft and guide my artistry as a Nigerian artiste.
So, what were your fears when you were coming?
Really, I had many fears. One of the fears was that my mum had passed away in 2006; so, I felt that I was going to Nigeria to live more or less alone. This was because I knew that the relationship with my dad was not strong enough for me to say that I was going to live with him in his house. Though I could (and can), I just didn’t want to. I wanted to show the world that my mum raised me well and that I would be able to stand on my own. Of course, I have a family in Nigeria. So, that fear was about living alone in Nigeria. The second fear was maybe I would not be accepted as an authentic Nigerian girl trying to do Nigerian music. My other fear was that I just won’t generally make it because I wasn’t singing the right music.
Did you say you were not singing the right music?
No, I said one of my fears was that I would come to Nigeria and not be singing the right music. I was scared that I was going to come to Nigeria and sing a type of music that wouldn’t be understood by the Nigerian people.
So, was that the experience when you eventually came home?
When I came to Nigeria, I got on with a very good team. I teamed up with Del B, who is a producer for Kcee, and Harrysong, who is a song writer for Kcee; so, we started making music. With their help, I was able to relate to music lovers by singing the right kind of songs like Loving your way, Irawo and Killing me softly featuring Timaya.
How far or close are you to your dreams when you were coming home?
I don’t try to look into the future because I believe that only God can see our future; I am not clairvoyant. I prayed before I came to Nigeria that God should guide me and make me successful. So, everything that has happened in the past two years has been to God’s glory. This has made me to be very happy because I am doing what I love. Of course, I want more exposure and more success.
So, how do you feel knowing that you have gained some recognition in this short time?
I feel very, very blessed and happy that people know who I am. I, however, know that there are those who know my name, but don’t know what I look like..
If you were to write about your experience in 2013 in a book, how would you describe it?
In January, 2013, Seyi Shay began to perform alongside international and national artistes like Tuface, Wizkid, Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige. I have continued to push my songs, Loving your way and Irawo. The video of Irawo was released in mid 2013 and it got some rave reviews. I signed endorsements with Etisalat, Harp and Solo Phones. So, I would say 2013 was the beginning.
How did you clinch the Etisalat endorsement?
I heard that Etisalat was looking for me. For some time, they were considering me, but weren’t sure until I performed with Sir Shina Peters at the Etisalat Cloud 9 event in Lagos. I performed for 45 minutes on stage with a live band and I apparently wowed the crowd. Later, some Etisalat officials came to me after the show and said they wanted to sign me on.
How much does the deal worth?
I can’t tell you because it is in my contract with them alone. But there is a lot of rumours making the rounds. I have heard some people say N20million, some say N50million and different kinds of millions.
What are you doing to build your brand?
We are looking closely at my image i.e. my hair, clothing, the kind of music I am singing and the kind of publications we do. We are also keeping the brand tight by making sure that everybody in the team has a role to play and go out to do it.
What are the challenges you are facing given that you are operating in a male-dominated industry?
I am in my own lane really; so, I don’t look either to the left or right. I don’t look at anybody as a competitor per se because I don’t feel that it is good to compete with people that are in the same house as you; so, everybody should just encourage each other. The males have more luck in this industry. But I think that will soon change. If the females continue to drop good videos and do better music, you will start to see that the females are almost on the same line as the males. This is because I heard someone say on the radio sometimes ago that women actually speak more sense in their music than the guys do. That might be true and I think the public will soon begin to realise that and support us more.
But a popular pop musician once said that Nigerian female singers are not deep and that all they have to sell to the world is sex!
Well, at the end of the day, sex sells! The truth is, if you really like music, you will know the female artistes that have good music and those who don’t have.
I read one of your interviews, where you said that love has not been fair to you. But did you actually say that?
I didn’t say that. Yes, I read it too. It is very possible that I could have said something along that line and they misquoted me.
Okay, Seyi Shay, has love been fair to you or not?
I have not been fair to love and you can quote me on that
How?
It is because I have always put my career before my relationship with any man. But it is now time for me to let love in and give love a chance.
How do you achieve that?
By spending time with my other half, getting married and having kids when the time is right.
Are you in a relationship at the moment?
Yes.
Okay, tell me about the lucky guy who has stolen your heart.
I can’t disclose that because I need to protect his privacy.
What do you love most about him?
It is his drive, his heart and his ability to be strong and honest.
How is he different from the other guys you have been in relationships with?
I haven’t had many relationships. I have only had two: when I was in the university and now.
How is he better than your last man?
He understands me more; he has respect for me and he can handle my career.
But a lot of men can’t handle women who are constantly in the public glare. So, how is he coping?
Yes, you are right. He is doing well and that is why I like him very much.
Is he also in the entertainment industry?
Maybe; maybe not.
You have to make it clear because that is what often gives birth to rumours. For instance, it is being rumoured that you are in a relationship with Vector, following what happened at the last Felabration, where he kissed you.
Well, it is not Vector I am talking about and I will not disclose who the person is because I have not discussed with him if it is okay for me to mention his name yet. I want people to focus on Seyi Shay as an artiste and an ambassador of the Nigerian music to the rest of the world.
Are you also into tattoo because I can see one in your arm?
Yes, I have two, but I am not a tattoo freak. I did it when I was in London. But now, I wish I didn’t do them and I won’t advise anybody to do it.
Why?
It is just because for you to take them off, it is going to cause a lot of money and it is going to be hurt.
When you were doing it, what were you thinking about?
I wanted to be cool, fresh and …
Now, you regret doing that?
I don’t regret it sa, but I just wish I didn’t do it.
Would you say it has been worth the while coming to Nigeria?
Yes, I think moving to Nigeria to pursue music was one of the best moves I have made. Though I had a lot of grand experiences internationally, I am having better exposure in Africa and I am being appreciated more in Africa at the moment. It is more about talent in Africa; but internationally, it is more about the pretentious and fake things, which doesn’t make you to have any substance. So, I would rather be in a continent, where I can actually be an ambassador and a revolutionist.
How has it been since you signed on to J-management?
No, J-management is my partner. They are director and I am as well the director of my brand. They are very good so much that I also hired them to manage my brand. They are brand managers and my partners. It is a very unusual arrangement, but we understand one another.
What part of your body do you consider the sexiest?
My legs!
What about them?
They are long! Though some people have abused them, I like them. When I go to the gym, I always focus on my legs. I don’t focus on my stomach or arms, but my legs because they need to be strong for the dancing I do on stage.