Seyi Shay: Singer's album launch concert ticked the right boxes

Seyi Shay’s album listening party served as a window to current growth in the industry, as she prepares to milk this album of all its potential.

Seyi Shay is currently on a good ride, which has reached a new turn with the release of her debut album “Seyi or Shay”. What better way to celebrate the milestone by calling together, friends, family, the press and even the haters to put together an album listening?

This was planned to be Seyi’s celebration of her talent, effort, doggedness, and reward for all her hard work and tears. The singer has had to go on a musical and branding journey to attain her current version of talent and pedigree, and on this night, those were on display.

 

Eko Hotels and Suites, the home of Nigerian entertainment events was the chosen ground for the spectacle, and it brought on its usual golden glow. Only this time, organisers saw it fit to mix that glow with a pervading white, and the blue ambience of Pepsi, who recently just gave her a lucrative endorsement deal.

There was Pepsi everywhere. It was on the press back-drop, on wristbands, on the stage, in your face, and if you sniff hard enough, you could even have had a whiff of it in the air. For a moment one can forgive me for thinking, Seyi’s album was called ‘Soda or Shay”.

 

Guests came in radiating. The blue carpet made for good photography, as celebrities, industry players, friends and personalities walked, waltz and sashayed into the motley group of photographers and reporters. This was a night of documentation and celebration, and everyone was on hand to reach that goal.

For an event which received almost no mass publicity, Seyi’s night was packed full. Kudos to her PR outfit The Bobby Taylor Company, who did put it together.

 

The event had its Nigerian punctuality flaws, as the singer took her sweet time to arrive. But that time was well-spent by attendees who socialised, made light banter, discussed business, and did industry networking in the mixed zone.

Arriving almost 2 hours after the advertised time, Seyi Shay was decked in a white suit made by classy folks, the Okunoren Twins. She immediately took to the stage to own proceedings.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting”, a glowing Seyi Shay apologized, before rolling out her opening credits.

Backed by backed by her band and DJ Nana, the singer played and performed a number of the songs off “Seyi or Shay.” The sound, although good, drowned out the singer. Seyi’s stage dynamism was tested, as her vocals found its way through all the singing and movement.

 

A huge highlight of the sessions came from her current hit song ‘Right now’. Seyi switched the script, and brought on a guitarist, whose name read; ‘Godwin’. Just Godwin with a guitar.

Together Godwin, and Seyi gave an acoustic performance of the song. This was a triumph for good music, as the singer’s vocal delivery shone through it all with the 6-string guitar dovetailed to sweetness.

But the best was saved for the end, as Banky W, and Iyanya, added extra spice to the night, as they hit the stage for the remix of ‘Right now’. That song currently has a special place in Seyi’s heart.

 

Seyi Shay’s album listening party served as a window to current growth in the industry, as she prepares to milk this album of all its potential. At the moment, she is ticking all the right boxes, and this event was one of them.