Simisola Ogunleye, also known as “Simi,” is a talented Nigerian Afro-Pop Singer, Songwriter, and Sound Engineer. Simi began her career as a gospel singer, and her debut studio album was released in 2008.
Early Life & Education
Simisola Ogunleye, also known as “Simi,” was born on April 19, 1988 in Ojuelegba as the fourth of four children. Her parents divorced when she was nine years old, and she grew up to be a tomboy.
Stars International College, a secondary school in Ikorodu, Lagos State, was where she went. She went on to Covenant University to study mass communication.
Career
Simi grew up dancing and singing in her local church choir. She wrote her first song when she was ten years old. Her professional music career began in 2008, with the release of her debut studio album Ogaju, which included songs such as “Iya Temi” and “Ara Ile.” Samklef produced the album entirely on his own.
Simi released her second album, Jamb Question, in 2016. On April 19, 2019, she released her third studio album, ‘Omo Charlie Champagne.’ The album deviates slightly from her usual afro-centric fare. It combines a sentimental ballad with Afropop, Afrofusion, Afro-soul, R&B, EDM, and moombahton.
She featured other musicians like Patoranking, Maleek Berry, Falz, and her husband Adekunle Gold in Omo Charlie Champagne.
Oscar produced the album, which included contributions from Vtek, Legendary Beatz, and Sess. Simi named the album after her late father, Charles Oladele Ogunleye, who passed away in 2014. She released three singles prior to the release of Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1: I Dun Care, Lovin, and Ayo.
She is also a sound engineer, having mixed and mastered Adekunle Gold’s debut studio album Gold, which was released in July 2016. Her musical style is based primarily on rhythm and blues, soul, and hip-hop.
Personal Life
Simi married singer Adekunle Gold in a private wedding ceremony on January 9, 2019. It was later revealed that they had been dating for five years.
Studio Albums
Ogaju (2008)
Simisola (2017)
Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1 (2019)
EPs
Chemistry (with Falz) (2016)
Selected Singles
Ara Ile’ in the 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’ Simisola – 2014
‘E No Go Funny’ Non-album single – 2014
‘Jamb Question’ Simisola – 2015
Jamb Question Remix (featuring Falz) Non-album single – 2015
‘Open and Close’ – 2015
‘Love Don’t Care’ Simisola – 2016
‘Smile for Me’ – 2017
‘Joromi’ – 2017
‘I Dun Care’ Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1 – 2018
‘Lovin’ Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1 – 2019
‘Ayo’ Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1 – 2019
Duduke – 2020
Awards & Nomination
Nominated at the Nigerian Music Video Awards for the Best RnB Video in 2015.
Nominated at the Nigerian Music Video Awards for the Best Soft Rock/Alternative Video in 2015.
Tiff was nominated as the Best Alternative Song at the Headies 2015
Best Vocal Performance (Female) nominee at the Headies 2015.
MTV African Music Awards nominated her for the Best Breakthrough Act in 2016.
Nominated Love Don’t Care for the ‘Best Recording of the Year’ at the Headies 2016.
Nigeria Entertainment Awards nominated her as the Best Afro-pop Female Artist in 2016.
Nominated Chemistry (with Falz) for the ‘Best Album’ at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in 2016.
Best R&B Single nominee at the Headies 2016.
Best Female MVP nominee at the Soundcity MVP Awards Festival in 2017.
Nominated for Best Pop at the Soundcity MVP Awards Festival in 2017.
Simisola was nominated for the ‘Best R&B/Pop album’ at the Headies 2018.
Best Vocal Performance (Female) nominee at the Headies 2018.
Nominated as the Artiste of the Year at the Headies 2018.
Awards and Recognitions
Nigeria Entertainment Awards
honoured her as the Most Promising Act to Watch in 2015.
City People Entertainment Awards honoured her as the Most Promising Act of the Year in 2015.
Female Artiste of the Year at the City People Entertainment Awards in 2016.
Choice Upcoming Female Artist at the Nigerian Teen Choice Awards in 2016.
Best Collaboration at the Headies for (Soldier with Falz) in 2017.
Love Don’t Care won the Best Vocal Performance (Female) in 2017.
Best Collabo of the Year at the City People Entertainment Awards in 2017.
Songwriter of the Year at the AFRIMA Awards in 2017.
Best Recording of the Year at the Headies 2018.
Best R&B single at the Headies 2018.
