Simi (singer)

This article is about a singer. For other uses, see SIMI.
Simi

Simi on NdaniTV in 2015
Background information
Birth name Simisola Bolatito Ogunleye
Also known as SymplySimi
Born (1988-04-19) April 19, 1988
Surulere, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, vocalist
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2006–present
Labels X3M
Associated acts

Simisola Bolatito Ogunleye (born April 19, 1988), professionally known and referred to as Simi, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.[1] Simi started her career as a gospel singer, releasing her debut studio album in 2006 titled Ogaju.[2] Her career came into spotlight in 2014 after she released "Tiff", a song which was nominated in two categories at The Headies 2015.[3] Simi is currently signed to X3M Music.[4]

Growing up and education

Simi was born in Ojuelegba, a suburb of Surulere, as the last of 4 children.[5] In an interview she granted to Juliet Ebirim of Vanguard Newspaper, Simi revealed that she grew up as a tomboy before the separation of her parents when she was 9.[6] She is an alumnus of Covenant University where she studied Mass Communication.[7]

Career

2006–13: Early beginnings and Ogaju

Simi grew up dancing and singing as a member of her local church's choir until she wrote her first song at the age of 10.[8] Her professional musical career started in 2006 following the release of her debut album titled Ogaju which contained songs like "Iya Temi" and "Ara Ile" with the entire musical production from Samklef.[9]

2014–present: Restless EP

In January 2014, Simi released an EP titled Restless which gained her new grounds and further earned her a record deal with X3M Music.[10] The EP contains a 5-track cover of popular songs by international acts like Rihanna's "Man Down" and Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain".[11]

On January 9, 2014, Simi released two singles titled "Tiff" and "E No Go Funny", with the former receiving massive airplay and accepted generally among music critics. The video for "Tiff" was released on August 30, 2015 and directed by Josh Clarke.[12] The song went on to be nominated in the "Best Alternative Song" category at the 2015 edition of The Headies.

In 2015, Simi won the "Most Promising Act to Watch" category at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. In an interview with Leadership Newspaper, Simi said she is working on her sophomore album scheduled to be released in 2016.[13] Upon the release of a single titled "Jamb Question" which later featured Falz in the remix, Simi was listed as one of the artistes to watch out for in 2016 by NotJustOk.[14]

Discography

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
NGA GHA RSA US US
R&B		 AUS UK
"Ara Ile" 2008 — — — — — — — Ogaju
"Emi L'Onijo" 2012 — — — — — — — Non-album singles
"Take a Chance" — — — — — — —
"Chocolate Brown" — — — — — — —
"Don't Judge Me (cover)" 2013 — — — — — — —
"Bibanke (cover)" — — — — — — —
"Marvin's Room" — — — — — — —
"Tiff" 2014 — — — — — — —
"E No Go Funny" — — — — — — —
"Jamb Question" 2015 — — — — — — —
"Jamb Question (Remix)"
(featuring Falz)		 — — — — — — —
"Open and Close" — — — — — — —
"Love Don't Care" 2016 — — — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Artistry

Apart from singing and songwriting, Simi is also a sound engineer. She was credited to have mixed and mastered Adekunle Gold's Gold album which was released in July 2016.[15] Her music style is basically hinged in the rhythm and blues, soul and hip-hop genre of music.[16]

Awards and nominations

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Simi awards and nominations
Totals
Awards won 3
Nominations 8
Year Award ceremony Prize Recipient/Nominated Work Result Ref
2015 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Most Promising Act to Watch Herself Won [17]
2015 City People Entertainment Awards Most Promising Act of The Year Won [18]
2015 Nigerian Music Video Awards Best RnB Video "Tiff" Nominated [19]
Music Video of The Year Nominated [19]
Best Soft Rock/Alternative Video "Jamb Question" Nominated [20]
2016 The Headies 2015 Best Alternative Song "Tiff" Nominated [21]
Best Vocal Performance (Female) Herself Nominated [21]
2016 City People Entertainment Awards Female Artiste of the Year Won [22]

References

  1. ↑ Kingsley, Ediale (18 April 2016). "I started with gospel music – Simi". National Daily. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  2. ↑ Offiong, Adie Vanessa (25 December 2015). "Nigeria: Even the Silliest Things Inspire Me - Simi". Daily Trust. allAfrica. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  3. ↑ Akan, Joey (30 September 2015). "Headies 2015: Check out the complete nomination list". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  4. ↑ Arogundade, Funsho (2 April 2014). "Simi, Sammy Join X3M Music". P.M. News. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  5. ↑ Olonilua, Ademola (2 April 2016). "I fantasise about working with Ebenezer Obey –Simi". The Punch. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  6. ↑ Ebirim, Juliet (17 March 2016). "Why I do love songs – Simi". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  7. ↑ Medeme, Ovwe (27 March 2016). "SIMI:I DON'T FEEL THREATENED BY ANYBODY". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  8. ↑ Odigie, McDonald (12 August 2015). "WHY I SANG MA BI MI NI JAMB QUESTION SONG- AFRO POP SINGER, SIMI". Goldmyne Entertainment. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  9. ↑ Ikeokwu, Juliet (12 June 2015). "JAMB QUESTION CROONER, SIMI SHARES HER STORY". YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  10. ↑ "Simi: 5 fun facts about the gifted female vocalist". News Flash Nigeria. 19 April 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  11. ↑ "NETPod: Simi drops new EP 'Restless'". Nigeria Entertainment Today. 10 January 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  12. ↑ "VIDEO: Simi – Tiff". tooXclusive. 30 August 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  13. ↑ Abulude, Samuel (27 March 2016). "My Relationship With Falz Is Professional – Simi". Leadership Newspaper. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  14. ↑ Don Boye (22 February 2016). "10 Artists To Watch In 2016". NotJustOk. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  15. ↑ Showemimo, Adedayo (19 July 2016). "Adekunle Gold has his 'boo' SIMI as the only featured act on his GOLD album". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  16. ↑ Yinus, Qismat (17 July 2016). "Why I quit gospel music – Simi". The Punch. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  17. ↑ Badmus, Kayode (7 September 2015). "Kiss Daniel, Simi and Dj Cuppy win big at NEA 2015". Nigeria Entertainment Today. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  18. ↑ Offiong, Vanessa Adie (27 November 2015). "Simi thrills in new video". Daily Trust Newspaper. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  19. 1 2 Tyler (17 November 2015). "Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA) 2015 Nominees List". tooXclusive. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  20. ↑ "WHO WILL WIN NMVA BEST SOFT ROCK/ALTERNATIVE VIDEO?". sounds ng. 27 November 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  21. 1 2 "Headies Awards 2015: Full List Of Winners". Channels TV. 2 January 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  22. ↑ Adedayo Showemimo (26 July 2016). "Full List Of Winners at 2016 City People Entertainment Awards". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
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