Simi is one of the most loved Nigerian singers in the industry. Her light voice is endearingly angelic. When she sings, your heart melts, and you want to keep listening to her repeatedly.
Simi is one of those in the industry that have managed to avoid controversies. Not that they don’t come her way, but her innocent voice and disposition make it impossible for any controversy about her to fly. She has also managed to keep her head down and concentrate on her music and other aspects of her career.
Her private life remains private, which makes her more intriguing, considering that she’s married to one of the popular Nigerian music stars. Scroll below to learn about Simi and how she entered the music industry.
Table of Content hide 1Biography 2Career 3Songs 3.1Albums 4Awards 5Net worth 6Family 7ConclusionBiography
Simi was born Simisola Bolatito Ogunleye on April 19, 1988, in Ojuelegba, Surulere, Lagos State. She is the last of four children. Her parents separated when she was nine years old. She also revealed that she grew up as a tomboy.
After her primary education, Simi attended Stars International College in Ikorodu, Lagos State. She studied Mass Communication at Covenant University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
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Career
Simi was a member of her local church’s choir and wrote her first song at 10. Her professional career began in 2008 when she released her debut studio album, Ogaju, which included songs like Iya Temi and Ara Ile. Popular music producer and artist, Samklef produced the entire album.
In January 2014, Simi released the five-track EP Restless, earning her a record deal with X3M Music. Later the same month, she released two singles, Tiff and E No Go Funny. Both songs, particularly Tiff, were a hit and received regular airplay. In 2015, She won the Most Promising Act to Watch category at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. She also released Jamb Question, and did the remix with Nigerian rapper Falz.
On February 14, 2016, she released the Oscar Heman Ackah-produced love ballad Love Don’t Care, which received frequent airplay and positive reviews. Clarence Peters directed the song’s music video, and Simi was nominated for Best Breakthrough Act at the MTV Africa Music Awards in October 2016.
On October 27, Simi collaborated with Falz to release the extended play Chemistry. In December 2016, she was nominated in three categories at The Headies 2016, and won one.
Simi released two singles; Smile for Me and Joromi, ahead of her much anticipated second studio album, Simisola. She unveiled the album’s track listing on September 1, 2017 and released the album seven days later. Simisola debuted at number 5 on the Billboard World Albums chart.
In March 2019, Simi announced that she would be releasing her third studio album Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1 to coincide with her birthday on April 19, 2019. The album is a mixture of sentimental ballads, Afropop, Afro-fusion, Afro-soul, R&B, EDM, and moombahton, a slight departure from Simisola’s afro-centric feel. She also dedicated the album to her father, Charles Oladele Ogunleye, who died in 2014.
However, in May 2019, X3M Music announced Simi’s departure after she didn’t renew her contract. She announced the launch of her independent record label, Studio Brat, in June 2019. She released a song titled Duduke in 2020, dedicating it to her then-unborn child. The song was an instant hit and remains a favorite among expectant mothers till date. Simi followed up with another EP Restless II.
In 2022, Simi released her fourth studio album, TBH (To Be Honest). TBH contains 11 tracks featuring Fave, Deja, and her husband, Adekunle Gold. So far, Simi has made remarkable achievements in her music and became the second African artiste after Tiwa Savage, to be named as an EQUAL global and EQUAL Africa artiste.
Apart from music, Simi has delved into acting. She made her debut in Kunle Afolayan‘s movie, Mokalik, in 2019.
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Songs
Below is a list of Simi’s songs:
- Ara Ile
- Emi l’Onijo
- Take a Chance
- Chocolate Brown
- Tiff
- E No Go Funny
- Jamb Question
- Jamb Question (remix)
- Open and Close
- Love Don’t Care
- Smile for Me
- Joromi
- I Dun Care
- Lovin
- Ayo
- Duduke
- There for You
Albums
- Ogaju (2008)
- Chemistry (with Falz) (2016)
- Simisola (2017)
- Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1 (2019)
- To Be Honest (2022)
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Awards
| Year | Award Ceremony | Prize | Recipient | Result |
| 2015 | 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Most Promising Act to Watch | Herself | Won |
| 2015 | 2015 City People Entertainment Awards | Most Promising Act of The Year | Herself | Won |
| 2015 | 2015 Nigerian Music Video Awards | Best RnB Video | “Tiff” | Nominated |
| 2015 | 2015 Nigerian Music Video Awards | Best Soft Rock/Alternative Video | “Jamb Question” | Nominated |
| 2016 | The Headies 2015 | Best Alternative Song | “Tiff” | Nominated |
| 2016 | The Headies 2015 | Best Vocal Performance (Female) | Herself | Nominated |
| 2016 | 2016 City People Entertainment Awards | Female Artiste of the Year | Herself | Won |
| 2016 | Nigerian Teen Choice Awards 2016 | Choice Upcoming Female Artist | Herself | Won |
| 2016 | 2016 MTV African Music Awards | Best Breakthrough Act | Herself | Nominated |
| 2016 | The Headies 2016 | Best Recording of the Year | “Love Don’t Care” | Nominated |
| 2016 | The Headies 2016 | Best R&B Single | “Love Don’t Care” | Nominated |
| 2016 | The Headies 2016 | Best Collaboration | “Soldier” (with Falz) | Won |
| 2016 | The Headies 2016 | Best Vocal Performance (Female) | “Love Don’t Care” | Won |
| 2017 | 2017 City People Entertainment Awards | Best Collabo of the Year | “No Forget” (with Adekunle Gold) | Won |
| 2017 | 2017 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Afropop Female Artist | Herself | Nominated |
| 2017 | 2017 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Album | Chemistry (with Falz) | Nominated |
| 2017 | AFRIMA Awards | Songwriter of the Year | Herself | Won |
| 2017 | Soundcity MVP Awards Festival | Song of the Year | Herself | Nominated |
| 2017 | Soundcity MVP Awards Festival | Best Female MVP | Herself | Nominated |
| 2017 | Soundcity MVP Awards Festival | Best Pop | Herself | Nominated |
| 2018 | Headies | Best Recording of the Year | “Joromi” | Won |
| 2018 | Headies | Best R&B/Pop album | Simisola | Nominated |
| 2018 | Headies | Best R&B single | “Smile For Me” | Won |
| 2018 | Headies | Best Vocal Performance (female) | “Gone For Good” | Nominated |
| 2018 | Headies | Album of the Year | Simisola | Won |
| 2018 | Headies | Artiste of the Year | Herself | Nominated |
| 2018 | Future Awards Africa | Prize for Music | Herself | Won |
| 2021 | Net Honours | Most Popular Musician | Herself | Won |
| 2021 | Net Honours | Most Searched Musician (female) | Herself | Won |
| 2021 | Net Honours | Most Played Pop Song | “Duduke” | Nominated |
| 2021 | Net Honours | Most Played Hip Hop song | “Know you” (Ladipoe featuring Simi]] | Nominated |
| 2021 | Net Honours | Most Played RnB Song | “Running to You” (Chike featuring Simi) | Nominated |
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Net worth
Simi reportedly has an estimated net worth of $3 million (N1,286,640,000), making her one of Nigeria’s richest and most influential female artists. Her income mostly comes from her music and some endorsement deals.
Family
Simi is married to award-winning singer and songwriter Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko, known professionally as Adekunle Gold and AG Baby. The couple had a close-knit wedding in 2019 and welcomed a daughter, Adejare Kosoko in May 2020.
Conclusion
Simi is an accomplished singer and songwriter who successfully combines public life with private life. She’s an inspiration to many that you can attain any height you want no matter the challenges you may face on the way. Her sweet voice and disposition will always make her stand out as she continues to shine in her chosen endeavour.
