Seyi Sodimu (also known as Mr. Jeje or Seyi) is a Nigerian singer-songwriter. He is best known for his hit single "
Love Me Jeje
"Love Me Jeje" is an Afro-soul song by U.S-based Nigerian recording artist Seyi Sodimu. Released in 1997 off his studio album titled ''Born in Africa'', "Love Me Jeje" features vocals from Shafy Bello.
Reception
Upon its release, "Love Me Jeje" ...
", which made him popular in Nigeria in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He is a pioneer of the ever-growing Nigerian Music Industry.
Early life
Seyi was born on
Lagos Island
Lagos Island (''Ìsàlẹ̀ Èkó'') is the principal and central local government area (LGA) in Lagos, it was the capital of Lagos State until 1957. It is part of the Lagos Division. As of the preliminary 2006 Nigerian census, the LGA had a pop ...
on June 30 to a large family from
Abeokuta
Abeokuta is the capital city of Ogun State in southwest Nigeria. It is situated on the east bank of the Ogun River, near a group of rocky outcrops in a wooded savanna; north of Lagos by railway, or by water. , Abeokuta and the surrounding are ...
,
Ogun State
Ogun State is a state in southwestern Nigeria. Created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State. Ogun State borders Lagos State to the south, Oyo State and Osun State to the north, Ondo State to the east, and the Republic of Benin to the ...
. He grew up in Lagos where he attended The Fountain School Surulere for his elementary education and completed his secondary school education at
Igbobi College
Igbobi College is a college established by the Methodist and Anglican Churches in 1932, in the Yaba suburb of Lagos, Lagos State, South-western Nigeria. It is still on its original site and most of the original buildings are intact. It is one ...
,
Yaba.
Seyi travelled to the United States in the late 1980s to continue his education. He attended
Prince George's Community College
Prince George's Community College (PGCC) is a public community college in Largo, Maryland, Largo in Prince George's County, Maryland. The college serves Prince George's County and surrounding areas, including Washington, D.C.
History
Founded i ...
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 befriended American part-time DJ from
Howard University
Howard University (Howard) is a private, federally chartered historically black research university in Washington, D.C. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and accredited by the Middle States Commissi ...
in
Washington, DC
)
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan ...
, Carl Bassey who teamed up with Seyi to co-produce his songs.
Career
1997–2003
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 contained the hit song "Love me jeje, love me tender". The album was released under Shakara Entertainment. This album topped the charts in
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
on
Ray Power 100 FM and sold over 30,000 copies in the first weeks of its release. The album also earned him nominations and awards in Nigeria.
In 2003, Seyi released his sophomore album ''State of Mind'' under Goodlife Entertainment. This album contained the hit "Money Man" and a tribute to
Fela, "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.
Seyi's albums were independently produced. Seyi wrote and co-produced all the songs. Carl Bassey and Seyi co-produced ''Born in Afrika.'' ''State of Mind'' was predominantly produced by Seyi. Chris Biondo was the sound engineer for both albums and Seyi's subsequent singles with the exception of "Pele Pele".
Seyi performed at the Washington, DC Press Club, performed alongside
Wyclef Jean
Nel Ust Wyclef Jean (; born October 17, 1969) is a Haitian rapper, musician, and actor. At the age of nine, Jean immigrated to the United States with his family. He first achieved fame as a member of the New Jersey hip hop group the Fugees, a ...
, worked with
Ginuwine
Elgin Baylor Lumpkin (born October 15, 1970), better known by his stage name Ginuwine, is an American Contemporary R&B, R&B singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. He began his career as a member of Swing Mob in the early 1990s. Signing to Epic R ...
and collaborated with reggae star Wayne Wonder.
2007–present
In 2007, Seyi released a song with reggae star Wayne Wonder called "Sophisticated Lady".
A year later, Seyi released a song and video for "Set Me Free" directed by Ayoola Daramola.
In 2012, Seyi released another single "GBEDU".
In 2014, Seyi released "Pele Pele", a remake of Ebenezer Obey's "''ore mi se pele pele"''. Seyi diversified into other business ventures, including real estate, fashion and automotive. "Pele Pele" was produced by Lagos Hitmaker
Shizzi
Oluwaseyi Akerele, popularly known as Shizzi, is a Nigerian platinum record producer, disk jockey and songwriter.
Music career 2009–2015: Early life and career
Shizzi started out as a drummer in church. He achieved recognition for his work on ...
. The video was directed and shot by Sesan Ogunro of film factory in a serene location in London.
Personal life
Seyi is married to a Nigerian woman from Ondo state and has two children, a boy and a girl.
His wife is an entrepreneur who runs a group of schools. She is a co-founder of the Alicemay Hope Foundation, an
NGO
A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in h ...
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.
His daughter is a songwriter and sings backup on a lot of Seyi's tracks.
Discography
Albums
* 1998: ''Born in Afrika''
* 2002: ''State of Mind''
Singles
''Born In Afrika'' (1998)
* "The Birth"
* "Come Sing Our Song"
* "The Way We Are"
* "Almighty"
* "AYO"
* "Love me jeje"
* "Don't Blame"
* "Talking Drum"
* "Moni Jesu"
* "Come Sing Our Song"
* "The Way We Are" (House Remix)
''State of Mind'' (2002)
* "State of Mind"
* "Mo De"
* "Money Man"
* "Dying Young"
* "Give it to me"
* "Fela the King" (tribute to Fela)
* "Here We Go"
* "Oluwa Seun"
* "Money Man" (Reprise)
* 2007: "Sophisticated Woman" ft Wayne Wonder
* 2008: "Set Me Free" ft Shafy Akinrimisi
* 2009: "Boys Will be Boys"
* 2012: "Gbedu"
* 2014: "Pele Pele"
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sodimu, Seyi
Living people
Nigerian male singer-songwriters
Nigerian singer-songwriters
Year of birth missing (living people)
Yoruba musicians
Musicians from Lagos
English-language singers from Nigeria
Yoruba-language singers
Igbobi College alumni