Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua professionally known as Seyi Shay is a Nigerian-based singer, songwriter and actress. In November 2013, Shay signed an endorsement deal with telecommunications service provider Etisalat. In July 2015, she signed a record deal with Island Records. Shay released her debut studio album Seyi or Shay in November 2015. It was supported by the promotional singles “Irawo”, “Ragga Ragga”, and “Chairman”.
Shay was born and raised in Tottenham, London, England, to Nigerian parents. Her mother was from Northern Nigeria and her father is a native of Ife. She has two elder brothers and an elder sister. She and her siblings were raised by their single mother.
Shay grew up in a religious setting and felt like a single child during her adolescence. She started visiting Nigeria when she was two years old, and eventually attended the Command High School in Maryland, Lagos.
She went back to London to complete her undergraduate studies. Her interest in music was influenced by members of her household. Her late mother was a chorister and her sister used to compose songs for TV.
Moreover, her brother was a radio and club disc jockey. Shay joined her secondary school choir and started performing at the age of 6.
She performed for the London Community Gospel Choir during their world tour, which included 13 cities in Japan.Shay was applauded for her performances in Japan. She studied music at a local UK college and went on to study business management at the University of East London.
In an interview with Lanre Odukoya of Thisday, Seyi Shay said that her mother wasn’t a staunch supporter of her musical ambitions. Moreover, her mother wanted her to become a doctor or lawyer. Prior to departing the Earth, her mother told her to focus on her music career and put God first.
In March 2019, Seyi Shay took to her Instagram page to announce that she had just been given a concert residency in the United Kingdom.The 2-night residency at the Biosdale of Canary Wharf in London was billed to hold on the 29th and 30th of May 2019.
Seyi Shay is an award winning Nigerian singer.
