Vanguard Allure

Top Menu

  • Vanguard

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Allure Magazine
    • Features
    • Magazine
    • Profiles
  • Allure TV
  • Celebration
    • Fashion & Style
    • Weddings
    • Lifestyle
    • Events
  • Wellbeing
    • Allure Woman
    • Healthy Living
    • Beauty
  • Happiness
    • Food
    • Shopping
    • Travel
    • Relationships
    • Career
  • News
  • Vanguard

logo

Vanguard Allure

  • Home
  • Allure Magazine
    • Debola Israel-Bolarinwa: Driving Cyber Consciousness

      July 14, 2025
      0
    • Queen Ronke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi: Championing African creativity

      July 6, 2025
      0
    • Couture Legends

      June 29, 2025
      0
    • I've unlocked a new side of myself - Rebecca Afolabi, Former Miss ...

      June 22, 2025
      0
    • Mudi Africa@32: Clothing Generations

      June 15, 2025
      0
    • Couture as Counter-Narrative: Paul Williams and the Architecture of Cultural Memory

      June 10, 2025
      0
    • Temitope Ayobami Ogunseitan: Advancing Sustainable Fashion

      June 8, 2025
      0
    • Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha: Beyond The Spotlight

      June 1, 2025
      0
    • Tope Mark-Odigie: Living to Impact

      May 25, 2025
      0
    • Features
    • Magazine
    • Profiles
  • Allure TV
  • Celebration
    • Fashion & Style
    • Weddings
    • Lifestyle
    • Events
  • Wellbeing
    • Allure Woman
    • Healthy Living
    • Beauty
  • Happiness
    • Food
    • Shopping
    • Travel
    • Relationships
    • Career
  • News
    • Purp Crowned Winner of Nigerian Idol Season 10

      July 14, 2025
      0
    • Allergan Aesthetics Redefines Beauty Standards with Nigerian Market Entry

      July 6, 2025
      0
    • Africa Launches Groundbreaking Reality TV Show to Crown the First “Queen of ...

      July 4, 2025
      0
    • NGO calls for dairy products introduction in school feeding programmes

      June 18, 2025
      0
    • Couture as Counter-Narrative: Paul Williams and the Architecture of Cultural Memory

      June 10, 2025
      0
    • Paul Okoye raises concerns about negative effects of social media

      May 29, 2025
      0
    • Healthcare deficiency heightens vulnerability among girls, NGO warns

      May 28, 2025
      0
    • CDSS Ojo alumni boost learning efficiency in their alma mater

      May 22, 2025
      0
    • Sanwo-Olu hosts Guinness World Record holder, Ayelabola Ololade

      May 13, 2025
      0
  • GRATITUDE: How thanksgiving changes everything

  • Oxtail Peppersoup: The Perfect Dish for a Rainy Day

  • SKINCARE ADDICTS SWEAR BY THESE FOUR INGREDIENTS

  • SAFE SEX PRACTICES

  • MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

Allure MagazineFeatures
Home›Allure Magazine›Allure Cover: Seyi Shay – Is A Big Girl!

Allure Cover: Seyi Shay – Is A Big Girl!

September 13,2020
Share:

By Latasha Ngwube

The last time I interviewed Seyi Shay was in 2013. This is now the year 2020 and understandably, she’s grown. I chuckle as she picks my call on its second ring, gushing excitedly about everything all at once in her smooth, velvety voice.

Seyi Shay

Seyi Shay

 

When I ask her if she’ll be our Cover girl for this special issue she replies in the affirmative before I’m even done and immediately, her machinery takes over. It’s all Google calendar syncing and alarms being set and emails being exchanged, people being copied in… the once bright-eyed, eager young starlet has evolved into a strong, decisive and assured young woman, performer and business woman.
With many hit singles under her belt, several movie credits, and a horde of followers on social media, Seyi Shay is still applying the pressure as she continues to chart her course across the music industry into our airwaves and smartphones. It’s hard to not be proud of her journey so far when you consider how marginalized female entertainers are within the industry.

 

She sits in conversation with me, Vanguard Allure’s LATASHA NGWUBE. I’ll let you enjoy this fine Sunday interview in Seyi Shay’s own words.

They say a woman who changes her hair is about to change her life… any truth to that adage as we admire this bold new look of yours?
I guess there is! I’m changing my whole approach to life, to my music and the way I do business in music; I have a new team, a new deal, and a new project to release. I recently bought another car and I moved into a new house in Ikoyi with my studio set up there. I’m focused on all that and my growth from a girl into a Big Girl.

2020 has been a rollercoaster to say the least. From the global pandemic all the way to racial and gender issues at an all time high, it’s safe to say nothing about this year has been business as usual. How have you been affected personally by it all?
As a musician, a lot of my livelihood is based on live shows and endorsements. Sadly, the global pandemic meant that I lost all those. I was unable to see my family that live outside the country with the ease I’m accustomed to.

Even with everything happening globally Nigeria’s music scene has been shinning bright with so many new EP and album releases. What is keeping the industry going from your point of view?
On one hand this has a lot to do with streams and on the other it goes to show the strength in our numbers and our culture globally.

Tell us about the inspiration behind your new single TUALE. There’s something about it that appeals to “the streets”. Was it created during this season or it just worked out as a coincidence?
Funny you ask but I wrote and recorded TUALE 3 years ago with Dr Amir, the producer. We decided to bring it out of the archives as we felt the message was very apt for the times we are currently in.
Tuale is a tuneful pro-hard work anthem record that eulogizes people who scale the
everyday hurdles of life and get their hands dirty for a legitimate source of income.
The song which doubles as an ode to my dedicated fans and supporters, has vocal contributions from African music heavyweights; Ycee, Zlantan and Small Doctor.

Being born and raised in the Uk means you obviously have dual citizenship. Many bailed out on the emergency evacuation flights but you stayed… why?
I stayed because of all the work I had to do on ground, working with NGOs, lending a voice and sensitizing the public about the safety measures against Coronavirus. I also wanted to spend time recording and making more content. I did not want to have to go through the 14 days quarantine one has to go through upon entry into the UK only to be eventually locked out of Nigeria which has now become my primary residence.

It seems you have been busy in spite of the obstacles and factors of life as we know it. How have you preserved your mental and emotional energy?
Honestly, I just prayed and meditated a lot and I still do. I kept in touch with people I hold dear and focused on all the things I still want achieve.

“Securing the bag” is one of the new terms that simply translates into making money and keeping that wealth intact… Obviously, with live performances at an all time low, what other ventures have you dabbled into or how have you maintained the status quo?
Over the years I’ve made some pretty savvy investments. I own farm land in the North, I acquired some land and property and I also write songs for a living. The songwriting brings in royalties every now and again and so like everyone else I do what I must to ‘secure the bag’!

While the world was in lockdown, many people picked up new skills, signed up for courses etc. What new thing (if any) did you try?
I took up a course in Public Speaking. I
also signed up to the very popular Masterclass app and took up acting classes to brush up on my acting skills.

What’s been your biggest lessons so far in 2020?
Life is short. Do everything you have ever wanted to do, if you’re able to. Love and live well.

A few months ago, there was a report of your phone being hacked and some racy images were posted on your personal social media handles. For the record, what really happened and how was the situation resolved?
Someone seemingly close thought it would be a good idea to release private pictures of me (saved in my personal hard drive and intended for my beloved and I)
I had a few people that were entrusted with my devices (not anymore though). Whether it happened as a joke that eventually got out of hand or out of spite, the culprit has now been cut off. The end.

What’s in the pipeline for you as we countdown the remaining months of the year?
My next single Pempe, featuring Yemi Alade drops around the end of October. I’ll be speaking on the UNGA panel this year. The event offers a multilateral discussion of international issues, with mine being gender equality and the enhancement of girls/women, locally and globally. I’ll be representing Africa and speaking alongside a few global citizens like Naomi Campbell and Lewis Hamilton.

International collaborations have become THE NORM! You’re no stranger having worked with acts like Teyana Taylor and Missy Elliot. What are some other positive milestones do you hope for the African music industry?
I’ve been blessed enough to be alive during this time of global milestones for the African music industry. I hope to see and be a pivotal part of even more.

Are you, like the rest of Nigeria, watching Big Brother?
I’ve performed severally across different seasons of Big Brother but the last one I actually watched must have been 2 years ago. With that being said even though I haven’t been watching this lockdown edition, in my heart, I’m rooting for the girls of course! Girl power always!!!

There was talk of you in a serious relationship you allegedly walked out of which led you to sharing deep feelings with your single female social media followers. You talked about making better decisions for self amongst other things. Care to shed more light on this?
I walked in on a young lady I’d never met before, lying naked on the bed I shared with my now ex-fiance. Need I say more? It was traumatic but I learned a very big lesson which was – take your time and listen to your inner voice when it tells you something is wrong, either with you, him or the relationship.

Self-care has become a buzzword now for any respectable millennial. What does that look like for you- Seyi Shay?
Spoiling myself to treats when I can, traveling, eating good food, working out and protecting my energy.

Virtual exchanges are now a part of our lives for the foreseeable future. New acts are about to discovered online in a massive way. You even led an activation that would enable upcoming musicians feature you on their songs. Tell us a bit about that and why you did it?
I called for upcoming artistes to send in their demos with a space for me to feature on. The winners were selected some weeks ago out of hundreds of entries. My plan is to market and distribute these songs I’ve featured for free as times are hard and most up and coming musicians don’t have the funds to push their music themselves.
I did this as a way of giving back and to help talents get discovered in a genuine and organic way.

What advice do you have for the young artistes in the game?
Be original and don’t give up.

If you could, what would you say now to Seyi Shay of year 2000?
You can’t trust everyone. Think before you act. Keep your eyes on the prize. Everything’s going to work out perfectly.

TagsAllure CoverSeyi Shay
Previous Article

Pastor Taiwo  Odukoya gives out second daughter’s ...

Next Article

Breaking: Prince evicted from BBNaija show

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • musicNews

    Seyi Shay’s video for her remix song, ‘Gimme Love’ hits one million views on YouTube

    September 17, 2019
    By allure1
  • Allure MagazineFeatures

    SARAH ATINUKE JEMIRIFO:Globalising African Fashion

    November 12, 2023
    By CHIOMA
  • Allure MagazineCareerFeatures

    Allure Cover: Chioma Ude – Redefining The Film Festival Culture In Africa

    November 25, 2019
    By CHIOMA
  • Allure MagazineFeatures

    Wendy Ologe: On Better Parenting

    May 30, 2022
    By CHIOMA
  • Allure MagazineFashion & Style

    Allure Cover: Meet The Fabric Merchants- Kemi Alao

    August 12, 2018
    By CHIOMA
  • Allure MagazineAllure Woman

    Allure Cover: Quincy Sumbo Ayodele Speaks on why her daughter, Tobi Ayodele-Keeney joined herbal business

    November 12, 2018
    By CHIOMA
0

  • Entertainmentmusic

    Watch Laycon Perform “All Over Me” for the Grammy Recording Academy

  • CareerEntertainment

    ‘Web’: Regina Askia Makes Nollywood Return

  • CareerNews

    Yemi Alade To Join Shakira Others In Global COVID-19 Response Concert

  • 5312
    Followers
  • 0
    Likes

Timeline

  • July 14, 2025

    GRATITUDE: How thanksgiving changes everything

  • July 14, 2025

    Oxtail Peppersoup: The Perfect Dish for a Rainy Day

  • July 14, 2025

    SKINCARE ADDICTS SWEAR BY THESE FOUR INGREDIENTS

  • July 14, 2025

    SAFE SEX PRACTICES

  • July 14, 2025

    MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

Categories

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates and to hear what's going on with our magazine!

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • GRATITUDE: How thanksgiving changes everything

    By CHIOMA
    July 14, 2025
  • Oxtail Peppersoup: The Perfect Dish for a Rainy Day

    By CHIOMA
    July 14, 2025
  • SKINCARE ADDICTS SWEAR BY THESE FOUR INGREDIENTS

    By CHIOMA
    July 14, 2025
  • SAFE SEX PRACTICES

    By CHIOMA
    July 14, 2025
  • Chioma Jesus, Sammie Okposo, Midnight Crew set for #THUGGLA2018

    By CHIOMA
    April 24, 2018
  • American rapper, Kendrick Lamar wins Pulitzer prize for 2017 ‘Damn’ album

    By CHIOMA
    April 17, 2018
  • Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti drops new album titled ‘Black Times’ 

    By CHIOMA
    April 23, 2018
  • Actor, Yul Edochie declares intention to run for presidency

    By CHIOMA
    April 23, 2018

Entertainment

  • July 14, 2025

    Priscilla Ojo Embraces Islam After Marriage

  • June 28, 2025

    Kayode Peters dies in Canada at 49

  • June 3, 2025

    Abiola Adebayo confirms separation from husband 

  • May 21, 2025

    ‘Prophet Suddenly 3’ Shatters All-Time Record for a Christian Film — 1 Million Views in Just 48 Hours

  • April 15, 2025

    My greatest problem in life is ‘love’ – Beverly Osu

Follow us