Simisola Bolatito Ogunleye, popularly known as ‘Simi’ was born on the 19th of April, 1988. Simi is a talented Nigerian singer, songwriter and a sound engineer. Simi started her music career as a gospel singer, releasing her debut studio album in 2008 which she titled ‘Ogaju’.
Simi, a Nigerian Afro-Pop singer, who began her journey in mainstream music in 2014, is one of the most talented singers of her time.
Simi gained prominence in 2014 after releasing ‘Tiff’, which was nominated for ‘Best Alternative Song’ at The Headies 2015. The talented singer signed a record deal with X3M Music in 2014, but left the recording label in May 2019 following the expiration of her contract with them.
She released her second studio album ‘Simisola’ on the 8th of September, 2017 while the third studio album was released to coincide with her thirty-first birthday on the 19th of April 2019. She launched her record label studio “Brat” in June, 2019.
Simi Early Life and Education
Simisola was born in Ojuelegba, a suburb of Surulere in Lagos. She is the last out of four children. According to Simi, her parents got separated when she was nine years old and also revealed that she grew up as a tomboy.
She attended International College, a high school in Ikorodu area of Lagos state. She is a graduate of Covenent University where she studied Mass Communication.
Simi Musical Career
Simi grew up dancing and singing as a member of her local church’s choir. She wrote her first song at the tender age of ten but her professional music career kicked off in 2008 following the release of her debut studio album ‘Ogaju’ which consisted of a variety of songs such as ‘Iya Temi’ and ‘Ara Ile’. The album was entirely produced by ‘Samklef’.
In January 2014, Simi released a five-track EP titled ‘Restless’ which eventually earned her a record deal with X3M Music. The EP contained mostly covers recorded by popular acts which include ‘Rihanna’s Man Down’ and ‘Adele’s Set Fire to the Rain’.
Also in the same year, Simi released two singles ‘Tiff’ and ‘E No Go Funny’ which were frequently airplayed and met with positive reviews from critics. The video for ‘Tiff’ was directed by Josh Clarke and released in 2015. The song was nominated for Best Alternative Song at the 2015 edition of The Headies.
In 2016, Simi released the Oscar Heman Ackah-produced ‘Love Dun Care’ which received frequent radio airplay and was meant with positive reviews. In the same year, she collaborated with ‘Falz’ to release the extended play ‘Chemistry’.
In anticipation of her 12-track second studio album ‘Simisola’, Simi released two singles ‘Smile for Me’ and ‘Joromi’ which were accompanied by music videos directed by ‘Clarence Peters’ and ‘Aje Films’ respectively.
In 2019, the talented songwriter announced that she would be releasing ther third studio album ‘Omo Charlie Champagne’ to coincide with her birthday on the 19th of April. The 13-track album features guest vocals from ‘Patoranking’, ‘Maleek Berry’, ‘Falz’ and her husband ‘Adekunle Gold’.
Simi Personal Life
Simi married singer ‘Adekunle Gold’ in a private wedding ceremony on the 9th of January, 2019. It was later revealed that Simi and Adekunle Gold had been dating for over five years.
Awards and Nominations
Simisola has won several awards and has been nominated in various categoroes due to her outstanding musical performances locally and internationally.
She has been awarded and nominated in various categories by ‘Nigeria Entertainment Awards’, ‘City People Entertainment Awards’, ‘Nigeria Music Video Awards’, ‘The Headies’, ‘Nigerian Teen Choice Awards’, ‘MTV African Music Awards’, ‘AFRIMA Awards’, ‘Soundcity MVP Awards Festival’, ‘Future Awards’ among others.
Sources: Wikipedia, Official website- www.iamsimi.com
Funmilola Bolaji is a Researcher, Writer and a trained Educationist; she’s the editor of Campusbiz Journal. You may want to reach her via for Campusbiz Journal related inquiries only.
