Nothing Wrong With Competition Between Artistes – Seyi Shay

Seyi Shay, the popular Nigerian singer, has said that healthy competition between music artistes is actually a good thing.

Responding to a question about rivalry between artistes, Shay, who recently released a 12-track album titled, ‘Big Girl’, told Saturday Beats, “Honestly, there would always be rivalry between human beings, not just women. However, I don’t think one should ever let anyone’s progress put hate or envy in one’s heart. There is nothing wrong with a little competition here and there but always remind yourself that what is yours is yours.”

Speaking on what inspired the title of the album, ‘Big Girl’, Shay said, “Growth! I wanted to show everyone the process it took to get here, including all I had been through. I also wanted to remind people, especially women, that one can be a boss of one’s own making.”

Describing her experience making the album, Shay said, “It was nice experiencing new sounds that without my team, I probably wouldn’t have. It was also quite an experience seeing life from the eyes of the common woman and friends.”

On why it took her three years to come up with a new album (her last album was in 2018), she said, “(Being out of the industry for) over three years was not intentional. I have always had plans of dropping music as consistently as any other passionate musician would but life happens. In that period (three years), I went through a lot positively and negatively. I met some great people who helped bring life to a deeper side of me. This project gave birth to all that experience. So, we felt this was the best time to show what the journey has been.”

Asked if she could ever collaborate with Tiwa Savage, considering that they are not on good terms, Shay said, “Let the future come. Our prayers should be that we live to see it (future) in good health. Love and light.”

Though some artistes have complained that signing international deals usually restrict Nigerian artistes, Shay noted that her deal with Universal Music did not require her to change anything about her music.

She said, “My deal with Universal was structured around a certain goal. I wasn’t obligated to change anything about my music. I also have a publishing deal and I would advise that a lot of our artistes do that. When getting into any deal, especially the international ones, artistes should always let their lawyers go through all that (contracts), so as not to regret any decision.”