Seyi Sodimu

Last updated
Seyi Sodimu
Birth nameSeyi Sodimu
Also known asLove Me jeje
BornLagos state, Nigeria
Origin Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, performer
Years active1998

Seyi Sodimu (also known as Mr. Jeje or Seyi) is a Nigerian singer-songwriter. He is best known for his hit single "Love Me Jeje", which made him popular in Nigeria in the late 1990s and early 2000s. [1] He is a pioneer of the ever-growing Nigerian Music Industry. [2]

Contents

Early life

Seyi was born on Lagos Island on June 30 to a large family from Abeokuta, Ogun State. He grew up in Lagos where he attended The Fountain School Surulere for his elementary education and completed his secondary school education at Igbobi College, Yaba. [3]

Seyi travelled to the United States in the late 1980s to continue his education. He attended Prince George's Community College in Maryland where he graduated with an associate degree in Computer Information Systems. While in college Seyi started writing poems and stories for the school magazine, and was commended by his professors and peers. He then decided to start writing songs. He later took voice and piano lessons, to perfect his craft. While in college Seyi befriended American part-time DJ from Howard University in Washington, DC, Carl Bassey who teamed up with Seyi to co-produce his songs.

Career

1997–2003

After saving up enough money, Carl's American musical background and Seyi's African musical influence resulted in the release of Seyi's first album entitled Born in Afrika in 1998, which contained the hit song "Love me jeje, love me tender". The album was released under Shakara Entertainment. This album topped the charts in Nigeria on Ray Power 100 FM and sold over 30,000 copies in the first weeks of its release. The album also earned him nominations and awards in Nigeria.

In 2003, Seyi released his sophomore album State of Mind under Goodlife Entertainment. This album contained the hit "Money Man" and a tribute to Fela, "Fela the King". "Money man" topped the charts in Nigeria and was on heavy rotation by several radio stations including Choice FM radio in London.

Seyi's albums were independently produced. Seyi wrote and co-produced all the songs. Carl Bassey and Seyi co-produced Born in Afrika.State of Mind was predominantly produced by Seyi. Chris Biondo was the sound engineer for both albums and Seyi's subsequent singles with the exception of "Pele Pele".

Seyi performed at the Washington, DC Press Club, performed alongside Wyclef Jean, worked with Ginuwine and collaborated with reggae star Wayne Wonder.

2007–present

In 2007, Seyi released a song with reggae star Wayne Wonder called "Sophisticated Lady". [4] A year later, Seyi released a song and video for "Set Me Free" directed by Ayoola Daramola. [5]

In 2012, Seyi released another single "GBEDU". [6]

In 2014, Seyi released "Pele Pele", a remake of Ebenezer Obey's "ore mi se pele pele". Seyi diversified into other business ventures, including real estate, fashion and automotive. "Pele Pele" was produced by Lagos Hitmaker Shizzi. The video was directed and shot by Sesan Ogunro of film factory in a serene location in London. [2] [7]

Personal life

Seyi is married to a Nigerian woman from Ondo state and has two children, a boy and a girl. [2] His wife is an entrepreneur who runs a group of schools. [2] His daughter is a songwriter and sings backup on a lot of Seyi's tracks. [2]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Born In Afrika (1998) [8] [9]

State of Mind (2002) [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fela Kuti</span> Nigerian musician and activist (1938–1997)

Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì was a Nigerian musician and political activist. He is regarded as the principal innovator of Afrobeat, a Nigerian music genre that combines West African music with American funk and jazz. At the height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa's most "challenging and charismatic music performers". AllMusic described him as "a musical and sociopolitical voice" of international significance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surulere</span> Place in Lagos State, Nigeria

Surulere is a local government area located on the mainland in Lagos State, Nigeria. It has an area of 23 km2 (8.9 sq mi). At the 2006 census, there were 503,975 inhabitants, with a population density of 21,864 inhabitants per square kilometer. The local government area is bordered by Yaba, Mushin and Ebute-Metta.

Gbedu literally means "big drum" and is a percussion instrument traditionally used in ceremonial Yoruba music in Nigeria and Benin. More recently, the word has come to be used to describe forms of Nigerian Afrobeats music.

Kola Ogunkoya is a Nigerian afrobeat musician who uses the term "Afro Gbedu" to describe his style of music, which includes jazz, highlife, Jùjú, funk and traditional Yoruba music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wurld (musician)</span> Musical artist

Sadiq Onifade, known popularly known as WurlD, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, WurlD relocated to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue a secondary education and record music. He describes his style of music as electro-fusion. He released his debut EP Evolution in 2013.

<i>Confusion</i> (album) 1975 studio album by Fela Ransome-Kuti and the Africa 70

Confusion is a 1975 album by Nigerian Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti and his Africa 70 band. It was arranged, composed, and produced by Kuti, who recorded the album after choosing to emphasize his African heritage and nationalism in his music. Confusion is a commentary on the confused state of post-colonial Lagos and its lack of infrastructure and proper leadership at the time. Kuti's pidgin English lyrics depict difficult conditions in the city, including a frenetic, multilingual trading market and inextricable traffic jams in Lagos' major intersections.

<i>Omo Baba Olowo</i> 2012 studio album by Davido

Omo Baba Olowo is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Davido. It was released by HKN Music on July 17, 2012, and is a mixture of Afrobeats and hip hop. The album was produced by Jay Sleek, Maleek Berry, GospelOnDeBeatz, Spellz, Dokta Frabz, Mr. Chidoo, Theory Soundz and Shizzi. Omo Baba Olowo features collaborations with Naeto C, Sina Rambo, B-Red, Kayswitch, Ice Prince, May D and 2 Face Idibia. It produced the singles "Back When", "Dami Duro", "Ekuro", "Overseas", "All of You", "Gbon Gbon", and "Feel Alright".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seyi Shay</span> Nigerian singer-songwriter and actress

Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua, known professionally as Seyi Shay, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and actress. In 2008, she became the lead singer for the now defunct pop girl group From Above. The group signed a recording deal with Sony's Columbia Records and was managed by Mathew Knowles' Music World Entertainment company. In November 2013, Shay signed an endorsement deal with telecommunications service provider Etisalat. In July 2015, she signed a record deal with Island Records. In 2015, she signed a two-year endorsement deal with Pepsi. Shay released her debut studio album Seyi or Shay in November 2015. It was supported by the promotional singles "Irawo", "Ragga Ragga", "Right Now" and "Murda", featuring Patoranking and Shaydee. In January 2021, she signed a publishing deal with the French division of Universal Music Publishing Group

<i>Ayo</i> (Wizkid album) 2014 studio album by Wizkid

Ayo is the self-titled second studio album by Nigerian singer Wizkid. It was released on 17 September 2014, by Starboy Entertainment and Empire Mates Entertainment. Ayo was postponed twice due to difficulty in track selection. Preceding its release were the singles "Jaiye Jaiye", "On Top Your Matter", "One Question", "Joy", "Bombay" and "Show You the Money". The album also contains the song "Ojuelegba", which won Song of the Year and was nominated for Best Pop Single at The Headies 2015. Wizkid enlisted Sarz, Shizzi, Uhuru, Del B, Dokta Frabz, Maleek Berry, Legendury Beatz and Spellz to produce the album. Ayo features collaborations with Femi Kuti, Seyi Shay, Yemi Sax, Akon, Banky W., Phyno, Tyga and Wale. It received mixed reviews from music critics; some commended its production, song arrangement and sound quality, while others panned its lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oritse Femi</span> Nigerian singer-songwriter (born 1985)

Oritsefemi Majemite Ekele popularly known by his first name Oritse Femi, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and performer. He is best known for his remake of Fela Kuti's "Double Wahala" song. His rendition of the song earned him two nominations at the 2014 City People Entertainment Awards, winning the award for Most Popular Song of the Year. He also won the Indigenous Artist of the Year award at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. In 2014, he released the remix for his version of the song featuring D'banj.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felabration</span> Music festival

Felabration is an annual music festival conceived in 1998 by Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti in memory and celebration of her father Fela Kuti, a Nigerian musician and human rights activist known for pioneering the afrobeat genre of music. The one-week-long event which is held annually at the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, attracts visitors from different countries and has thus been considered as an official tourist destination by the Lagos State Government.

Shadrach Adeboye Folarin, professionally referred to as Shaydee, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and vocalist. In 2015, Shaydee was listed on notJustOk's list of "15 Artists to Watch in 2015". He is best known for his hit single titled "Won Gbo Mi", featuring vocal appearance from Wizkid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaffy Bello</span> Nigerian film actress and singer (born 1970)

Shaffy Bello is a Nigerian film actress and singer. She first shot into the entertainment scene when she featured vocals in a 1997 hit song by Seyi Sodimu titled "Love Me Jeje".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Me Jeje</span> 1997 song by Seyi Sodimu

"Love Me Jeje" is an Afro-soul song by U.S-based Nigerian recording artist Seyi Sodimu. Released in 1997 off his studio album titled Born in Africa, "Love Me Jeje" features vocals from Shafy Bello.

Ayoola Oladapo Agboola also known as KDDO is a Nigerian record producer, songwriter, and artist. He's best known for producing and writing "Under The Influence" by Chris Brown, charting at number 1 on the Billboard Rhythmic Chart & number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. In addition KDDO wrote and produced Afrobeats longest charting Billboard single "Fall" by Davido, renowned for breaking Afrobeat Music globally. The song peaked on US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart at number 13 and US Hot R&B Songs chart at number 25 on Billboard. KDDO is the first Afrobeats producer in history to be certified by the Recording Industry Association of America, after Fall became a certified gold record in the US. He is currently managed by Christian McCurdy & Rehan Manickam at LEGION Management.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Made Kuti</span> Nigerian singer and songwriter

Ọmọ́rìnmádé Kútì known professionally as Made Kuti, is a Nigerian afrobeat singer, songwriter and instrumentalist. He released his debut album titled For(e)ward in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dremo</span> Nigerian rapper

Aboriomoh Femi Raymond, known by his stage name Dremo, is a Nigerian songwriter, singer, record producer, recording artist, and stage performer. He was currently signed to Davido Music Worldwide (DMW). He recently dissed sarkodie for saying he is the best rapper in Africa.

Ekeh Chiaka Joseph known professionally as Majeeed is a Nigerian afropop singer and songwriter signed to Dream Empire Music. He is known for his breakthrough single "Yawa No Dey End", released in 2022 as the lead single off his extended play Bitter Sweet. On 29 April 2022, a new version of "Yawa No Dey End", was released with Joeboy, through Dream Empire Music, and emPawa Africa, which peaked at number 41 on the Nigeria TurnTable Top 50 chart, on the week of May 9, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shizzi production discography</span>

The following list is a discography of production by Shizzi, a Nigeria record producer from Lagos State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Me JeJe</span> 2024 single by Tems

"Love Me JeJe" is a song written and recorded by Nigerian singer Tems, released on 25 April 2024, via RCA Records. It serves as the second single from her debut studio album, Born in the Wild (2024). Produced by GuiltyBeatz and Spax, the song interpolates Seyi Sodimu's 1997 single "Love Me Jeje".

References

  1. ↑ "Throwback: Seyi Sodimu - Love Me Jeje".
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Love Me Jeje crooner, Seyi Sodimu speaks on career and family".
  3. ↑ "www.icobainternational.org/civicrm/profile/view?reset=1&id=65715&gid=10".
  4. 1 2 Seyi Sodimu (30 May 2008). "Seyi Sodimu - Sophisticated Woman" – via YouTube.
  5. 1 2 Ayoola Daramola (13 January 2010). "Seyi Sodimu Ft Shaffy "Set me free I" (2008)" – via YouTube.
  6. 1 2 "Seyi Sodimu - Gbedu".
  7. ↑ "DOWNLOAD:Seyi Sodimu - Pele Pele (Prod. Shizzi)". 17 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "Seyi - mr jeje on iTunes".
  9. ↑ "Born In Africa by Seyi - mr jeje album lyrics - Musixmatch - The world's largest lyrics catalog".
  10. ↑ "Amazon.com: Seyi Sodimu: Songs, Albums, Pictures, Bios".
  11. ↑ bankulli (10 August 2009). "Boys will be boys by Seyi sodimu" – via YouTube.
  12. ↑ Seyi Sodimu (4 June 2014). "Seyi Sodimu - Pele Pele [Official Video]" – via YouTube.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.