Budding
and talented singer, Simisola Ogunleye, popularly known as Simi, shares
her early beginnings, foray into music and fashion fetishes in this
interview with Eric Dumo.
What was your childhood like?
I was a bit of a tomboy while growing up
because I was the last born and only girl in the midst of four children
of my mother. I learnt how to ride a bicycle and do all the stuff boys
do at the time. I was a bit spoilt as a kid; I got virtually everything I
wanted. Childhood was fun.
My parents separated when I was nine and
for the most part, I had to grow up under the care of my mother and
that made me learn and grow up very fast.
How did the separation of your parents affect you as a nine-year-old?
Of course it did affect me being only a
child. I had to learn to think fast. It made me become a realist at a
very young age and kill the child in me.
Did growing up in the midst of boys toughen you?
It did toughen me and also made me a
very confident person. I was always confident because I knew there were
people who would always have my back.
What would you say are those remarkable things that shaped your childhood?
In spite of the fact that my dad used to
spoil us as kids, I had a mother who was and still is a disciplinarian
who always put us on the right path. Even though she allowed us be our
own person and learn our own lessons, she always made sure we were on
the right path. The separation with my dad came tough on me but I have
learnt to pull through. That era would always live with me.
As a child, what were your ambitions in life? Did you set out to become a musician?
I wanted to be a lawyer and also an on
air personality as a child. But now, I feel I would have been bored
being a lawyer. The love for music was too strong for me to resist. A
lot of my growing up in music started in the church choir at Daystar
Church. I remember those days my mother would beat me for coming back
home late from rehearsals.
How easy was it for your
family to accept you opting for music as a career instead of pursuing a
job in the media having studied Mass Communication at the university?
One of the notable things about me is
that I am very stubborn when pursuing my passion and goals. I believe
that everyone should be allowed to do what makes them happy. I love to
make my own mistakes. My mother had thought that after graduation from
the university, music would just be a pastime for me. But I made sure I
lived my passion.
Rising to stardom must have
come with its own price, what were the initial challenges you faced
trying to make a name for yourself?
The time it takes to have people to
start to notice you is enough to discourage any up and coming artiste
from pursuing a career in music especially those who do not have genuine
love for it. At that point, being talented alone might not bring about
the much needed breakthrough; a fat pocket also plays a huge role in
making you known.
I started with gospel music and even
released an album in 2008; I was in the university and about to graduate
when I put that out.
After the National Youth Service, a
record label signed me on but things didn’t go well so we parted ways.
But in that period, I worked on myself and carved a niche for myself. I
have learnt so many lessons through this period and I am striving to be
better every day.
How did you come up with your style of music?
It took a lot of work I must confess.
There was a time I was doing all sorts of music that even I couldn’t
describe what genre exactly I was doing. But through the help and
guidance of my producer and music director, I think I now have an
identity in music. I like to chase after people who are not easily
impressed. My producer is one of such people. He has continued to drive
the best out of me. I am glad that I didn’t give up during the discovery
stages.
Your hit song, Jamb Question, got everyone talking, did that stem out from a personal experience?
Of course! I mean everyone has had such
experience. People, sometimes walk up to you but instead of going
straight to the point, they beat around the bush. They’ll pretend
they’ve known you from somewhere instead of just asking to be your
friend. This is a common occurrence in our society and I just felt it
was a great story I needed to play around. That was how the song came
about.
How much has the overwhelming reception received by Jamb Question and the Simi brand changed your life?
I agree that it has brought me closer to
members of the public but it hasn’t changed the slightest bit of how I
live my life. I really don’t go out that much but now, I am even more
than shy to venture out of the house because people know me a lot more. I
can’t just do what I like anymore because there are eyes watching.
So do you miss that part of you that had the freedom to do what you have always wanted?
I try not to get carried away with my
new status. I appreciate the fame, my fans and the love I have received
so far but I try to live my life as normal as possible.
How do you find inspiration to write your songs?
I get inspired by everything around me.
My songs relate to the day to day life of the average Nigerian. The
experiences of daily life inspire and give me fresh ideas.
New friends and associates must have come along with your new found status, how has it been like?
Unfortunately I don’t keep too many
friends because I am a shy person. I am learning to mingle more these
days but then I am careful who I mingle with. There a lot of people I
look up to and I am learning new things from them every day.
Who are your biggest influences in terms of music?
I am in love with Asa, Tuface, Flavour as well as Patoranking. I think they have a great sound and I like what they are doing.
What influences your fashion choices?
I am trying to be more fashion conscious
these days. If you know me so well, you’ll agree that before now I was
not so keen about fashion. I used to see myself more as a musician than a
fashionista. However, things changed when I realised that image plays a
huge role in projecting any brand.
Even though I try to be more fashionable
these days, I am still Simi. I don’t want people to look at me and not
find me. A lot of people dress to the extent that you don’t even
recognise them anymore. I don’t want that and that is why I prefer to
still keep my identity even when I attempt to look good. At every point
in time, I don’t plan what I wear. I just flow with the mood and
occasion. But I try not to be excessive.
What are the most prevalent items in your wardrobe?
I have more hats than dresses in my
wardrobe even though I am not much of a tomboy these days. I wear
anything that makes me comfortable but then you’ll find a lot of colour
in my wardrobe. Even though it is not my favourite colour, red is what I
love putting on the most.
How often do you shop?
Not as much as I should but then I
purchase items anytime they catch my fancy. I like good things and fall
for them easily whenever I see them. I cannot resist the sight of shoes
and bags. They are my weakness even more than I fancy perfumes.
What is that one item that you cannot imagine leaving the house without having it on you?
It has to be my wristwatch and my purse. They are very valuable items for me.
As an artiste, what is your disposition to body modifications?
Well, I think some tattoos are cute but I
don’t think I am going to ever get one. I have always fancied getting
an extra piercing on my ears but because I am scared of the pain, I have
not done it yet. However, if such makes some people happy, I don’t
think we should condemn them.
What items can never be seen on you?
You won’t see me wearing a bra outside
or having its strap revealed. Even at the beach, I don’t wear bikinis;
I’ll rather put on something that would cover more flesh.
What is the most expensive fashion item inside your wardrobe?
I honestly don’t know because I don’t
keep record of such. However, I buy the things I can comfortably afford
and which makes me happy.
How easy has it been fending off advances from male admirers?
It is the same way you handle them
before fame came that you’ll still manage them. There is nothing wrong
with a guy liking a lady; you don’t have to be rude to them. You just
have to let them know what’s on your mind in a polite manner.
Tell us categorically; is there a love relationship between you and Adekunle Gold as widely claimed?
Well, I have no comment on that.
How do you relax, especially during weekends?
I read a lot during most of the times I am not in the studio. I hardly watch television but sometimes hang out with my friends.
You don’t take out time to pamper yourself at times maybe at the salon or spa?
Interestingly, I have never been to the spa. I would like to go one of these days anyway but I have never been there.
How often do you change your hairstyle?
I do so mostly once in two weeks. But sometimes if I don’t like it I can take it off the next day. I am as simple as that.
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