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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