A charming baby voice, a cherubic face, a youngish body. And soulful rhythms and lyrics that tell life-teaching stories and remind us of good old times. These words describe the soulful songs of famous Nigerian singer, songwriter and music producer namely Simi.
She managed to turn all her youthful tomboy energy into creating captivating music that has endeared her to Nigerian music lovers. Her songs are a balanced blend of Hip-hop; R&B; Soul; and Yoruba lyrics and rhythms. Join us as we unveil the inspiring journey and singing prowess of Simi. Happy reading.
Simi: Her Origins
Born Simisola Bolatito Ogunleye, in April 1988, she is the last child of four children, and the only daughter. Simi hails from Ondo state in southwest Nigeria. But she was brought up in Ojuelegba, Surulere area of Lagos. However, her parents were separated when she was just nine years old. As such, she grew up under the custody of her mother in Surulere, Lagos.
Simi completed her secondary education at Stars International College, Ikorodu Lagos. From there, she proceeded to the prestigious Covenant University in Ora, Ogun State and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication.
Simi began writing her own songs at the tender age of ten years. She was also active in her church choir and drama groups from her youth. She became a chorister (unofficially) at 16. Thus, she gained some experience that built her up for her future musical career. Subsequently, her first songs were more or less gospel music. However, she gained more confidence and switched to mainstream music later on.
Simi’s Musical Career
In 2008, Simi released her debut studio album titled Ogaju. It featured songs such as ‘Iya Temi’ and ‘Ara Ile’. The musical production was handled by Samklef. The singer went on to release the single ‘Restless’ in January 2014. Both musical projects attracted attention to her talent.
Thus she was able to secure a record deal with X3M Music. Come January 2014, and Simi released two popular singles titled ‘Tiff’ and ‘E No Go Funny’. Both songs received massive airplay and much loved from Nigerian musical fans. In addition, ‘Tiff’ earned two nominations at the 2015 Headies Awards.
Early in 2016, Simi released her second studio album, which featured the hit single ‘Jamb Question’. A remix of the song was done in collaboration with Nigerian rapper, Falz. Later in October of the same year, Simi did another collaboration with Falz, and released the hit song ‘Chemistry’.
September 2017 came, and Simi dropped her third studio album titled Simisola. It featured the two hit singles ‘Smile for Me’ and ‘Joromi’. Her songs debuted at number five on the Billboard World Albums chart for that year.
And two years later in 2019, Simi released the album Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1 on the date of her birthday (April 19). The 13-track album was dedicated to her late father, Charles Oladele Ogunleye (who died in 2014). The album featured well-known music artists which included Falz, Patoranking, Maleek Berry, and Adekunle Gold (her husband).
The singer also made covers of some popular songs. Two of them included American singer, Rihanna’s song ‘Man Down’; and British singer, Adele’s ‘Set Fire to The Rain’.
Simi’s Studio Brat Record Label Opens in 2019
May 2019 arrived, and Simi’s contract with X3M Music expired. She left and went ahead to set up her own record label namely Studio Brat in June 2019.
Then her creative juice flowed again in 2020, when she released the song ‘Duduke’ in honour of her (then) unborn baby. The song became insanely popular on Nigeria’s airwaves for many months.
Simi’s Other Engagements
Simi is equally good at acting. She featured in Kunle Afolayan’smovie ‘Mokalik’.
The singer also bagged an endorsement deal with erstwhile Nigerian telecom giant, Etisalat, in February 2017. Yet again, she was chosen as brand ambassador for the Opera Mini browser in 2018.
Simi: Popular Singles to Date
Simi’s most notable songs from inception till now include the following:
- ‘Ara Ile’ (Album Ogaju; 2008)
- ‘Emi L’Onijo’ (Non-album single; 2012)
- ‘Take a Chance’ (Non-album single; 2012)
- ‘Chocolate Brown’ (Non-album single; 2012)
- ‘Don’t Judge Me’ (cover; 2013)
- ‘Bibanke’ (cover; 2013)
- ‘Marvin’s Room’ (cover; 2013)
- ‘Tiff’ (Album Simisola; 2014)
- ‘E No Go Funny’ (Non-album single; 2014)
- ‘Jamb Question’ (Album Simisola; 2015)
- Jamb Question Remix featuring Falz (Non-album single; 2015)
- ‘Open and Close’ (2015)
- ‘Love Don’t Care’ (Album Simisola; 2016)
- ‘Smile for Me’ (2017)
- ‘Joromi’ (2017)
- ‘I Dun Care’ (Album Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1; 2018)
- ‘Lovin’ (Album Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1; 2019)
- ‘Ayo’ (Album Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1; 2019)
- ‘Duduke’ (2020)
- Simi ft. Ebenezer Obey: ‘Aimasiko’ (Remix; 2021)
Simi: Musical Awards
Simi has earned a good number of national music awards, including those listed below.
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards (2015): Most Promising Act to Watch
- City People Entertainment Awards (2015): Most Promising Act of the Year
- City People Entertainment Awards (2016): Female Artiste of the Year
- Nigerian Teen Choice Awards (2016): Choice Upcoming Female Artist
- at the City People Entertainment Awards (2017): Best Collabo of the Year
- The Headies (2017): Best Collaboration (in Soldier with Falz)
- AFRIMA Awards (2017): Songwriter of the Year
- The Headies (2018): Best R&B single
- The Headies (2018): Best Recording of the Year
Simi: Net Worth (2024)
Simi earns from a combination of royalties from her record sales, online streams, acting roles, stage performances, and endorsements. Her net worth is currently estimated to be about 10 million US Dollars (as of 2024).
Simi’s Personal Life
Simi is currently married to renowned Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold. They got married in January 2019; and they are blessed with a daughter, Adejare Kosoko.
