Simi started music at a tender age but recounts the end of 2014 into 2015 as her ‘breakthrough point
“2015 has been groundbreaking,” she says. “There are lots of things that I worked for that I’m finally starting to see, especially with my single ‘Jamb Question’. It’s not been easy cuz there’s a lot of people in mainstream music that are trying to break though and so I’m grateful and happy for the opportunity. I can’t say thank you enough for my fans, the label as well as those who support the music.”
She calls her genre Afro Pop; “which basically is a blend of African sounds cuz that’s the way I see it.”
“I try to merge a lot of sounds, like I use Highlife, Pop, even Afrobeats in my process of making music. Sometimes I even go the extra mile and produce myself, it’s all in a bid to carve a niche and create a unique sound for myself in the industry today.”
Speaking of carving a name, what’s been her strong suit and how’s she kept afloat?
She answers: “It’s not been easy. It’s not cheap. It takes a lot of effort. And the only way to actually do this and do it big is to be creative, to do something no one else has done before. The key is to be unique, and so I try to create a sound that isn’t so much out there, I try to infuse Yoruba and English so the sound stands out.
“I give a lot of credit to Oscar my producer as well, as he’s been very instrumental in helping craft my sound. I use Oscar, in spite of people thinking the sound might become hackneyed, and I believe it is all about approaching music in the right way.
“The biggest misconception people have about me is that I’m an R&B artiste. I’m not that. When I first started music, I used to do a lot of everything. I would do any and every genre I felt inspired to do, till much later when I started crafting the sound into a particular pattern based on industry demands of today.”
But has the sound changed much in spite of this modification?
“No it hasn’t,” she answers. “I still have R&B influences even though I’m more Afro pop and tend to blend things a lot of times.
“And I guess another misconception people have is thinking I’m a shy person, when in truth I’m far from that. I’m a private person and all, but people confuse it for shyness. It makes me laugh. Another thing is cuz I like keeping to myself a lot people end up thinking of me as shy. But I am not. Ordinarily, I’m goofy. I’m playful and I make sure to put a smile on faces every time I can.”
She isn’t quite there yet. But she is resolute, she is pure with the art and there’s hardly anything coming between her and dreams of being a bigger star. Given these, we ask how she’d fare were X3M Music to pull the plug on her today. Surprisingly, she doesn’t see much changing.
“I’ll still do music at this level, because I genuinely believe I’m good at what I do. I put in a lot of work. I’ve always put in work. But I guess if the label were to leave today I’ll still find my way and keep doing music. I love music. I love X3M. I’m obsessed about the art. I can’t stop doing music for anything or for anybody. I’ve always done this thing, you don’t understand,” she said passionately.
When asked if she has any special training, and what her education has been like she answers:
“Music for me has been a natural thing though I don’t have any professional training of sorts. However, I play the piano and I do have a degree. I graduated from Covenant University in 2008, with a 2’1 in Mass Communication.
The singer ran us through a bit of her childhood, talking about how much influence her brothers had on her growing up, so much she imbibed a bit of a tomboy persona.
She also explained her love for Manchester United, her attitude towards admirers and her penchant for video games.
“I have three elder brother and they made me love a lot of stuff the average girl wouldn’t.
“As per admirers, I handle guys as nicely as possible. I think it’s flattering if someone says they like you. And really, I just treat them as cool as I can, considering I’m not looking to get into anything with anyone. If you are wondering if I’m in a relationship then you are right. But that’s all I’m going to say about it.
The Tiff singer refused to comment on who her man is despite the myriads of speculations on her alleged affair with a fast-rising YBNL artiste.
“I grew up more with my mother because my parents separated when I was nine. My dad passed on last year in March, and if I could turn back the hands of time I’ll be more involved with him than I was. These days, I wish I was more around for him during his last days, but who would have thought?
“He spoilt us silly as kids. I was in school when he first got ill and he would try to come see me, even though there was a lot of family drama in between, stuff I really can’t talk about. But it’s all good. I wasn’t always around, I wasn’t always there with him. He is gone now and even though I still have very fond memories of him, I wish I did more. I felt very bad for some time but I guess we all learn from situations of this sort.
“I guess that’s a lesson for everyone, because if you really love someone you’ve got to make out time for them however busy you are.
“With video games and Manchester United, the passion to for them just came. Okay, well, I was seeing someone at the time and he was a staunch supporter of the United. I suddenly just realized that following their games, their transfer window activities and the players’ lifestyles on and off the pitch is a good pastime seeing as boyfriend was also a fan. That’s how the support started and has stuck ever since. There’s really no extra reason. I have loved the team ever since in spite of who I am dating or whatever.”
Simi, who credits Jamb Question as her biggest effort to date, also revealed plans to drop an album come early 2016 and she says this of the project:
“I’m excited. I have materials the people haven’t heard before. And I seriously can’t wait to put out my full body of work, to truly satisfy my fans, to take this music thing to the next level. And God willing I will. The album will contain loads of surprises and creative stuff that people didn’t see coming,” she finished.
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