In just two years, Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua aka Seyi Shay, has achieved what many who have been in the music industry for a long time can only dream of. She has travelled all across Africa performing to thousands of fans, and she is also a brand ambassador for companies such as Hollandia and Baccardi Breezer. In this chat with E24-7 MAGAZINE’S TOFARATI IGE, she speaks on her career, early years, and other issues. Excerpts…
How did your music career begin?
My interest in music started from a very young age. I remember being five years old and living in a house full of different musical influences. However professionally, I began by going on a three week tour to Japan with the London Community Gospel Choir when I was 14. It was my first paid gig – I got £4500 – and while we were there, we visited 13 cities. To cut a long story short, I started my music career in church. My mom and sister were both choristers and my brother was a radio and club DJ while I sang in church and for the school gospel choir.
Were your parents supportive of your music career?
When I first told my mother that I wanted to venture into the entertainment industry, she wasn’t really impressed because she wanted me to be an academic. I went to university where I studied Music Business Management so it’s always been music for me really. I understand the business side of music too, so I can read through my own contracts, do my own deals and know what is good for me and what is bad for me. Sadly she passed on in 2006 and it wasn’t until a day before she passed away that she told me, “Maybe you should just give music a shot, I think you will make it in Nigeria.” My parents have been divorced for many years now but when I moved back to Nigeria, my Dad and I had a little chat and he was very supportive of my choice of career.
How would you describe your music?
I would say my music is probably contemporary afro beat.
What inspires you?
My music is inspired by day to day happenings, real life experiences, things I see, things I feel and whatever I come across generally. The contemporary side comes from the fact that I am not so into the afro pop but more into the afro beat rhythm.
Why did you relocate to Nigeria?
I moved back to Nigeria because the time I had spent with my former girl group ‘From Above,’ which was managed by Matthew Knowles, had come to an end. We amicably broke up. Some of the girls didn’t want to be in the group anymore. I was the only one who really wanted to do music. Sound Sultan was in London that year and he heard some of my demos. He convinced me to head back to Nigeria and launch my music career.
How has your career been since you moved back to Nigeria?
A lot of people will not believe this because of the amount of things I have done so far but frankly my career in Nigeria is only two years old. However I have been doing music for over ten years. I have literary been on every single stage in Nigeria. I have supported international acts that have come in like Wale, Chris Brown, Rick Ross, and Mary J Blige. I just feel like I have been really blessed having done all these things in such a short span of time.
Has it been challenging penetrating the music industry in Nigeria?
It’s not easy because there are so many female artistes, and we really don’t have that recognition or power that male artistes do yet. Hopefully, it will change soon. It’s not been easy but thank God I have been blessed enough to bring something a bit different to the table which is my performances on stage. It’s been bumpy, I have had to do so many shows for free and fight for my voice to be heard. People think I just came and started doing this, but it’s because I am a proactive person. I get up and do what I have to do.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in music to date?
I can definitely name a few heights. One of them is obviously supporting Beyonce Knowles during her “I am” UK tour in 2009/10. Working for Coca-Cola has been a dream of mine since I was eight years old, so being featured on Coke Studio season two was definitely a dream come true. The next is having my own reality show on TV which went to over 166 countries and finally, being on CNN’s African Voices. To be honest I think everything I have done have been memorable for me.
How would you describe the Nigerian music industry at the moment?
I really feel like it’s a diamond in the rough. The industry has a long way to go, but we are definitely getting there as musicians. However, I do think there needs to be a bit more structure where the artistes can get their royalties paid to them. Once that’s settled, I think we will be able to compete with some of the international acts out there.
What message do you have for upcoming artistes out there?
You need to remember that in anything you are doing, especially music, you need to exercise tenacity. You need to have to have a thick skin, and you also have to be honest with yourself.
