Seyi Sodimu

Seyi Sodimu (also known as Mr. Jeje) is a Nigerian singer-songwriter. He is also commonly referred to as "Seyi". He is best known for his hit single "Love Me Jeje", which made him very popular in Nigeria in the late 90s and early 2000s[1] He is also a pioneer of the ever-growing Nigerian Music Industry.[2]

Early life

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

Early Career (1997–2003)

Seyi travelled to the United States in the late 1980s to continue his education. There 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 met an American friend and part-time DJ from Howard University in Washington, DC, Carl Bassey who teamed up with Seyi to co-produce his songs.

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 held the hit song "Love me jeje, love me tender". The "Born in Afrika" 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 couple weeks of its release. The album also earned him nominations and awards in Nigeria.

In 2003, Seyi released a sophomore album titled "State of Mind" this time under Goodlife Entertainment. This album contained another hit entitled "Money Man" and a tribute to Fela entitled "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.

Both of Seyi's albums were independently produced. Seyi also wrote and co-produced all of his songs.Carl Bassey and Seyi co-produced Born in Afrika, however the sophomore album was predominantly produced by Seyi. Chris Biondo was the sound engineer for both albums and all of Seyi's subsequent singles with the exception of "Pele Pele" which was produced by Shizzi.

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

Career (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 called GBEDU.[6]

In 2014, Seyi released "Pele Pele" which is a remake of Ebenezer Obey's {ore mi se pele pele}. Seyi has also diversified into other business ventures including real estate, fashion, automotives, and many other businesses. "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. She is also a co-founder of the Alicemay Hope Foundation which is an NGO devoted to educating women and female children in impoverished areas, alongside his daughter. His daughter is in University in America and his son attends secondary school in Nigeria.[2] His daughter is also a very talented songwriter and sings backup on a lot of Seyi's tracks.[2]

Discography

Albums

1998: Born in Afrika

2002: State of Mind

Singles

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

1) The Birth

2) Come Sing Our Song

3) The Way We Are

4) Almighty

5) AYO

6) Love me jeje

7) Don't Blame

8) Talking Drum

9) Moni Jesu

10) Come Sing Our Song

11) The Way We Are (House Remix)

State of Mind (2002) [10]

1) State of Mind

2) Mo De

3) Money Man

4) Dying Young

5) Give it to me

6) Fela the King (tribute to Fela)

7) Here We Go

8) Oluwa Seun

9) Money Man (Reprise)

2007: Sophisticated Woman ft Wayne Wonder [4]

2008 : Set Me Free ft Shafy Akinrimisi [5]

2009: Boys Will be Boys [11]

2012: Gbedu [6]

2014: Pele Pele [12]

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. ↑ "http://www.icobainternational.org/civicrm/profile/view?reset=1&id=65715&gid=10". External link in |title= (help)
  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.
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