Simisola Ogunleye popularly called “Simi” is one of the Nigerian talented Afro-Pop Singer, Songwriter, and Sound Engineer. Simi started her career as a gospel singer and he released her debut studio album in 2008.

Early Life & Education

Simisola Ogunleye popularly called “Simi” born on April 19, 1988 in Ojuelegba, as the last of four children. Her parents separated when she was 9 years old and she grew up as a tomboy.

She went to Stars International College, a secondary school in Ikorodu, Lagos State. She further to Covenant University, where she studied mass communication.

Career

Simi grew up dancing and singing as a member of her local church’s choir. She wrote her first song at age 10. Her professional music career started in 2008 following the release of her debut studio album Ogaju, which consisted of a variety of songs such as “Iya Temi” and “Ara Ile”. The album was produced entirely by Samklef.

Simi debuted Jamb Question (her second album) in 2016. She released her third studio album ‘Omo Charlie Champagne’ on the 19 of April 2019. The album is slightly different from her normal afro-centric kind of songs. It is a mixture of a sentimental ballad, Afropop, Afro-fusion, Afro-soul, R&B, EDM and moombahton. She featured other musicians like Patoranking, Maleek Berry, Falz, and her husband Adekunle Gold in Omo Charlie Champagne.

The album was produced by Oscar with contributions from Vtek, Legendary Beatz, and Sess. Simi dedicated the album to her late father Charles Oladele Ogunleye, who died in 2014. Before the release of Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1, she debuted three singles: I Dun Care, Lovin, and Ayo.

She is also sound engineer and she was credited with mixing and mastering Adekunle Gold’s debut studio album Gold, which was released in July 2016. Her music style is basically hinged in the rhythm and blues, soul and hip-hop music genres.

Personal Life

Simi married singer Adekunle Gold in a private wedding ceremony on January 9, 2019. It was later revealed that they had been dating for five years.

Studio Albums

Ogaju (2008)

Simisola (2017)

Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1 (2019)

EPs

Chemistry (with Falz) (2016)

Selected Singles

Ara Ile’ in the album Ogaju – 2008

‘Emi L’Onijo’ Non-album single – 2012

‘Take a Chance’ Non-album single – 2012

‘Chocolate Brown’ Non-album single – 2012

‘Don’t Judge Me’ (cover) – 2013

‘Bibanke’ (cover) – 2013

‘Marvin’s Room’ (cover) – 2013

‘Tiff’ Simisola – 2014

‘E No Go Funny’ Non-album single – 2014

‘Jamb Question’ Simisola – 2015

Jamb Question Remix (featuring Falz) Non-album single – 2015

‘Open and Close’ – 2015

‘Love Don’t Care’ Simisola – 2016

‘Smile for Me’ –  2017

‘Joromi’ – 2017

‘I Dun Care’ Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1 – 2018

‘Lovin’ Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1 – 2019

‘Ayo’ Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1 – 2019

Duduke – 2020

Awards & Nomination

Nominated at the Nigerian Music Video Awards for the Best RnB Video in 2015.

Nominated at the Nigerian Music Video Awards for the Best Soft Rock/Alternative Video in 2015.

Tiff was nominated as the Best Alternative Song at the Headies 2015

Best Vocal Performance (Female) nominee at the Headies 2015.

MTV African Music Awards nominated her for the Best Breakthrough Act in 2016.

Nominated Love Don’t Care for the ‘Best Recording of the Year’ at the Headies 2016.

Nigeria Entertainment Awards nominated her as the Best Afro-pop Female Artist in 2016.

Nominated Chemistry (with Falz) for the ‘Best Album’ at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in 2016.

Best R&B Single nominee at the Headies 2016.

Best Female MVP nominee at the Soundcity MVP Awards Festival in 2017.

Nominated for Best Pop at the Soundcity MVP Awards Festival in 2017.

Simisola was nominated for the ‘Best R&B/Pop album’ at the Headies 2018.

Best Vocal Performance (Female) nominee at the Headies 2018.

Nominated as the Artiste of the Year at the Headies 2018.

Awards and Recognitions

Nigeria Entertainment Awards
honoured her as the Most Promising Act to Watch in 2015.

City People Entertainment Awards honoured her as the Most Promising Act of the Year in 2015.

Female Artiste of the Year at the City People Entertainment Awards in 2016.

Choice Upcoming Female Artist at the Nigerian Teen Choice Awards in 2016.

Best Collaboration at the Headies for (Soldier with Falz) in 2017.

Love Don’t Care won the Best Vocal Performance (Female) in 2017.

Best Collabo of the Year at the City People Entertainment Awards in 2017.

Songwriter of the Year at the AFRIMA Awards in 2017.

Best Recording of the Year at the Headies 2018.

Best R&B single at the Headies 2018.

Social Media Handles

Instagram: @symplysimi

Twitter: @symplysimi

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