Seyi Shay Biography (Early Life, Career, Net Worth)

TDeborah Oluwaseyi Joshua better known by the stage name Seyi Shay is a Nigerian-based singer-songwriter, recording artist, performer, and actress. She released Seyi or Shay, her debut studio album in 2015.

Prior to this, Seyi has written and produced soundtracks and songs for Konami games, Melanin C, and Chipmunk. Internationally, Seyi is regarded as one of the biggest African artists.

Early Life

Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua was born on December 21, 1985, in Tottenham, London England as the last of four children. She was born to Nigerian parents. Her mother is from Northern Nigeria and her father, the western part of the country, Osun State. Seyi and her siblings were raised by their mother.

Seyi started visiting Nigeria at age 2. Then, for her secondary school education, she attended Command High School, Maryland, Lagos. Thereafter, she returned to London for her undergraduate studies. Firstly, she attended a local UK college where she studied music and then moved on to the University of East London, and earned a degree in Business Management.

Career

Seyi started her music career early enough. Her motivation came from her late mother and siblings who were also involved in music in different ways. At age 6, she was already performing in her school choir. Later, at 14, she performed for the London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC) in their world-wide tour which included 13 cities in Japan.

Shay signed her first record deal with No Apology, a record company in affiliation with George Martin (Fifth Beatle). In 2006, she formed a girl Band, Boadicea. The band was managed by Ron Tom, founder and manager of All Saints and Sugarbabes. However, it was disbanded in 2008.

Also, Seyi wrote and produce sound track for the Konami Game Crime Life, wrote You Will See for Mel C and White Lies for Rapper ChipMunk. While collaborating and performing, she partook in the British Pop/RnB Girl Band From Above, and emerged as the lead vocalist for the group.

From Above signed a record deals with Sony/Columbia and Mathew Knowles’ Management company. Before disbanding, the group achieved some goals. For instance, it made an online release of Breaking From Above, an MTV Reality Show that aired in over 166 countries.

Apparently, Seyi has worked with numerous bigwigs in the music industry both locally and international.

Music Career In Nigeria

Sound Sultan motivated Seyi’s return to Nigeria during one of his visits to London in 2011. Thereafter, she heeded his advice and came to Nigeria to promote her career in the industry. On her arrival, she was introduced to Cecil Hammond who signed her under the Flytime Music label. In 2012, she released a single, Irawo. Irawo became a hit and garnered massive airplay in Nigeria.

Later on, she left Flytime Music. Thus, in July 2015, Seyi signed an international record deal with Universal Island Records UK which distributes her music worldwide.

Albums And Songs

Seyi has released many hit singles. She released her debut studio album in 2015, and one EP titled Electric Package in 2018.

Seyi Or Shay

Seyi or Shay is the debut studio album of this talented singer. She started working on it in 2011, and in 2015, it was released under Island and Stargurl Limited. Seyi or Shay is preceded by five singles which include; Murda (2014), Crazy, (2014), Jangilova (2015), Right Now (2015) and Right Now ‘Remix’ (2015).

It incorporates a genre of RnB, afropop, dancehall and soul and it expresses the two sides of the singer as a person and musician. It featured vocals from Sound Sultan, Wizkid, Iyanya, Banky W, Femi Kuti, Flavour, Shaydee, D’Banj, Timaya, Cynthia Morgan, and Patoranking. The producers include Legendury Beatz, Dokta Frabz, Harmony Samuels, Del B, Pheelz and Tee-Y Mix.

Songs

Loving Your Way, 2011
No Le Le, 2011
Irawo, 2012
Irawo (Remix) ft Vector, 2012
Chante ft Ajuju, 2013
Kilin Me Softly ft Timaya, 2013
Chairman ft Kcee, 2013
Ragga Ragga, 2014
Murda ft Patoranking and Shaydee, 2014
Cray ft Wizkid, 2015
Jangilova, 2015
Right Now, 2015
Air brush, 2016
Pack and Go ft Olamide, 2016
Bia, 2017
Your Matter ft Eugy ft Efosa, 2017
Weekend Vibes Remix ft Sarkodie, 2017
Alele, ft DJ Consequence and Flavour N’abania 2018
Ko Ma Roll ft Harmonize, 2018
Surrender ft Kizz Daniel, 2018
Yolo Yolo, 2017
Gimme Love ft Runtown, 2019

Seyi Shay As A Featured Artist

As a superstar vocalist, Seyi Shay has collaborated with several artistes. She was featured by Wizkid; In Love, Mr Walz; Paradise, Praiz; For You, Yarinya; Amir and many more.

She has also worked with several local and international artistes. Some of which include; Justin Timberlake, Brian Michael Cox, Cameron Wallace, Cynthia Morgan, M.I Abaga, Olamide, Eva Alordiah, Yung Greg C, e.t.c

Philanthropy

Due to Seyi’s love for the girl-child, she established a charity, Shay A Ray of Hope in 2015. The charity focuses on the underserved children, women and most especially helping the girl child.

In addition, Seyi has continued to use her international fame to promote justice for women. For instance, she joined in the UN campaign to empower women and collaborated with some other world entertainers in the remaking of the Spice Girls’ Wannabe video. The video was presented in UN General Assembly.

Also, as an ambassador for Genevieve Pink Ball Foundation, she sang the song Because we care. The aim of the song is to give hope and encourage breast cancer patients. She is also a staunch supporter of Slum 2 School projects.

Net Worth

According to infoguidenigeria.com, Seyi’s net worth is estimated at $2.1million.

Seyi is a brand ambassador to Barcardi Freezer along with Sean Tizzle and Yemi Alade. Similarly, she was endorsed as an ambassador to Samsoon Telecomunication, a service provider to Etisalat now 9jamobile.

Additionally, in 2015, she joined Wizkid and Tiwa Savage as brand ambassadors to Pepsi. In 2016, Nigeria Stock Exchange unveiled her and Burna Boy as ambassadors. And in 2017, she became the face of Gionee phone brand.