Singer Seyi Shay Talks About 'Beef' With Colleague Tiwa Savage, Pressure On The Job And Wanting Privacy....

In an interview posted by Punch, Singer Seyi Shay opens up about pressure in the music industry, getting married to her baby daddy, beef with Tiwa and memorable moments

As a female artiste, do you feel pressured to put in more work than your male counterparts?


Not really. I never feel pressured. I do what my heart tells me to do. I do what makes me happy because I know that when I am happy, people would see that. Those that are happy would not just be happy for me but for themselves, and fans would see that too.




What are the challenges you face as a female artiste in Nigeria?

I think women pitching other women against one another is a challenge. It does not allow us to grow the way we are supposed to. I also think there are not enough (female) artistes doing operating on the level that most of our male counterparts are operating. That gives us a bit of a challenge as well because there is not much variety to choose from.


It has been said that female artistes in Nigeria see themselves more as competitors. What do you have to say about this?

I think that applies to some people; not everybody. I also think it is more of a nature thing; not just the music industry. I think by nature, women compete with one another more than men. I don’t know if that is part of our genetic make-up or DNA. I cannot explain it but it is the same all over the world.



You had a public quarrel with Tiwa Savage last year. How was it finally resolved?

I think it just died down. It was not a ‘quarrel’ because one party was doing all the shouting. I just left it like that because at times, one has to let people be who they are, and let God do the rest.


Do you have any plans to collaborate with Tiwa Savage anytime soon or in the future?

There are no plans spoken about yet and I would like to see what God has in store for me personally, as a big girl now. I think I am just moving to bigger and better things.



It is perceived that there is no cooperation among female artistes, and some people say That is why they are sometimes not taken seriously. What is your reaction to that?

There is some truth to it and there is some speculation as well. I think everyone is trying to get to the top and be a star in their own right. And, I think however people choose to do that is their business. They don’t have to fake or force friendship if they cannot keep up with it. Collaboration is relative. One collaborates with who one likes and who one wants, which I have done all my life. I have collaborated with DJ Cuppy, Yemi Alade, Niniola, Simi and Victoria Kimani. I have collaborated with a lot of female artistes. If they did not want it, they would not have done it.




You recently announced your engagement. Should your fans be expecting your wedding anytime soon?

Perhaps, the wedding has already been done. Or, maybe it hasn’t. But, that is not public news to anybody. It is my business and personal life. Where I will always like to win is by keeping my private life out of the public eye and out of social media. That is one of my mantras and my principles.




How do you handle trolls on social media?

I let them be who they are because I found out that these trolls have nothing better to do and one cannot blame them for trolling other people. It is their job. One just has to let people be who they are. When one looks deeply, one will realise that these trolls are people that one knows, and I think that would hurt more. I don’t tend to look or listen closely at all. I just let them do what they have to do and I do what I have to do, which is to get on with my life.


What are your most memorable moments as a singer?

I have so many. One of them is touring and supporting Beyonce on her tour in the United Kingdom. Other memorable moments were performing on stage with Neyo at the MTV Music Awards in South Africa, winning the award for Best RnB song with Janet Taylor for Give me Love, being a judge on Nigerian Idol, starring in the movie, Lara and the Beat, among others. I am proud of every milestone (I have attained).