Q&A | Seyi Shay

British-Nigerian singer/songwriter Seyi Shay is no stranger to the scene. Since her first record deal with Sir George Martin - the man behind The Beatles - and becoming the lead lady in girl group From Above, she has honed in on her skills as an artist and found her true sound.

In an effort to reclaim her identity and retreat to her roots, Shay relocated to her homeland of Nigeria where she learned to incorporate Afrobeats into her R&B and pop leaning music. Her latest endeavor has lead her to join forces with superstar R&B songstress Teyana Taylor for a sensual and inviting track, ‘Gimme Love’. By marrying the cultural muse of Afrobeats and sultry vibes of R&B, listeners are gifted with a track unlike anything else.

On a mission to integrate African culture into popular music, Seyi plans to release an EP in November executively produced by Sara (Drake, Wizkid) and Harmony Samuels (Janet Jackson, Ariana Grande, Chris Brown). If Seyi Shay is not yet on your radar, be prepared for her inevitable rise to the top.

You spent a lot of your life between London and Lagos. Looking back on it, how do you feel
these experiences in your younger life affected your career or genre of music today?

It’s influenced my sound greatly. I use a mix of western and African sounds and melodies to deliver my music. I sing about love and relationships a lot of which the most memorable experience I had in the UK growing up.

Was it a career you always wanted?

I’ve ALWAYS wanted to be an entertainer. I can’t remember wanting to do or be anything else.

You started off as the leader singer of a pop girl group. What do you feel is different working solo?

It’s definitely more lonely but also more rewarding as I get to just be myself and control the creativity and the narrative.

The afrobeats genre is very male-orientated but has incredibly talented females within it.
What does it feel like to be one of those women?

It’s a blessing to me... I feel as tho I have no real awareness that I’m a woman in a male dominated industry. I just go hard in all I do and I don’t think it has anything to do with gender.

Tell me about your newest song “Gimme Love Remix” with Teyana Taylor.
What was the inspiration of the song?

Again, it’s a song inspired by love and vulnerability. It’s a take on a woman’s emotions and sexuality.

How did you guys find each other?

The colaboration was hooked up by my international manager, Jareiq, and my international producer Harmony Samuels.

What is it the vibe of the studio when there’s two strong talented women working together?

She and I are both Sagittarius. There’s no better vibe than that!