The rise of X3M Queen… Simi

Obviously, the year 2016 that ends today is one the singer, Simisola Ogunleye popularly known by fans as Simi, will continue to remember as she clinched one of the major awards at the Headies, which held at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos. Her Love Don’t Care’ won her the ‘Best Female Vocal Performance’ award ahead of Seyi Shay, Aramide and Omawumi.

The singer, writer and performing artist, came into the spotlight following the release of singles like Tiff, Jamb Question among others. A mass communications graduate, she is no stranger to the Nigerian music industry. She started off as gospel with the songs in her debut album.

She wrote her very first song at the age of 10, and started singing and dancing out in her early teens as a member of the teenage church choir. She launched her debut album in 2008, which was produced by Samklef, and the album spawned hits such as Ara Ile, Ogaju, Iya Temi, among others to mention.

In 2011, she met the producer/songwriter, Oscar Heman-Ackah and they both connected musically. However, it wasn’t until 2013 that she officially signed a production contract with Oscar Music Production, after which they both nurtured and created a fresh direction to her sound, style and music.

Asked those things that help her make music, she said: “I write about experiences – maybe mine or someone else’s. For instance, if you gist me about something, I could go ‘oh, that’s a song!’ I like to write about experiences, things that really happened. I like writing about things that are really interesting, things that people can identify with.

“Apart from that, I’m dabbling into a bit of production, though I’m not half as good as I want to be. Some people ask if the melody comes before the lyrics, but I don’t think there’s a particular way it comes. Most times, after I’ve recorded a song, I’d have to come back and work on it. But when I have my first verse and chorus, I usually consider the song completed,” she added.

In 2014 signed to X3M Music, a Lagos-based record label, which is home to Praiz and others. Prior to joining X3M music, “I have been releasing a bunch of singles and covers to get noticed and get a good deal. I want to be successful with my music,” she once said in an interview.