Seyi Shay is 30 years today. In celebration of the talented singer, here are 30 facts you probably didn’t know about her...

1. She was born Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua on December 21, 1985.

2. She was born in London to a Northern Nigerian mother and Yoruba father.

3. She hails from Ife in Osun state, South West Nigeria.

4. She is the last child in a family of 4 kids. She has two elder brothers and a sister.

5. At a tender age, she was brought back to Nigeria and later attended Command High School in Maryland, Lagos.

6. Seyi Shay embraced music at an early stage and started signing when she was 6.

7. She was also a member of her school and church choir.

8. She was initially inspired by her single mother who was also a chorister and elder sister who was a song writer.

9. She also performed alongside the London Community Gospel Choir during their world tour with the young singer getting huge accolades in Japan.

10. Despite the influences, Seyi’s mom didn’t want her to do music professionally. She preferred a medical or legal career but Seyi was adamant on her choice.

11. Before her death, her mother however gave her blessings to Seyi’s music while advising her to be closer to God.

12. Seyi studied Business Management at the University of East London.

13. In 2006, Seyi Shay formed a female music group known as Bodicea but the group only stayed together for two years before disbanding.

14. In 2008, she partook in a singing audition where she emerged tops and was named the lead singer for girl band, From Above.

15. From, Above which had 5 girls as members, was managed by Beyonce’s father, Matthew Knowles.

16. The group also had a reality show on MTV titled ‘Breaking From Above’.

17. After the group broke up in 2011, Seyi Shay initially stayed under the management of Matthew Knowles but soon moved on.

18. She met Naija Ninja lead act, Sound Sultan in the UK and he advised her to return to Nigeria to ply her trade.

19. Seyi Shay soon returned to the country and got signed unto Cecil Hammond’s Flytime Music.

20. She later left Flytime and got signed unto J Management who has managed her since then up till 2015.

21. In June 2015, Seyi Shay got signed unto UK label, Island Records which has other global acts like Nicki Minaj, Jessie J and Leona Lewis.

22. She is also an ambassador for beverage company, Pepsi alongside Wizkid and Tiwa Savage.

23. Some of her most popular singles are Irawo, Raga Raga and Jangilover.

24. Ahead of her debut album, Seyi Shay dropped the massive single, ‘Murda’ which features Patoranking and Shaydee. The song topped all major charts.

25. She returned months later with ‘Crazy’ which features Wizkid. The video drew controversial comments when Seyi Shay grabbed Wizzy’s groin.

26. In November 2015, the singer dropped her debut album as a solo act. She titled the album, ‘Seyi or Shay’ and it has continued to garner positive reviews.

27. On Seyi or Shay, the singer worked with top music producers including Grammy award winning Harmony Sammuels, Del B, Hugo, Dokta Frabs, Legendury Beat, Pheelz and TY Mix.

28. She has been nominated for numerous awards including the MAMA Best Female Act which was won by Yemi Alade.

29. City People named her the Best New Musician of the year in 2013.

30. She was once rumoured to have dated video director, Clarence Peters.

http://www.9janewsarena.com/2015/12/30-facts-about-seyi-shay-as-she-turns-30.html

cc: lalasticlala, ishilove

Interesting profile. She wasn't from the getto.

waoh