‘My love for music has kept me going’
Well, one of the things I do is to ensure that I do something many people can relate with. I mean what people have seen and experienced before. JAMB question is quite Nigerian. So, basically it revolved around trying to key into what I’m aware many Nigerian girls have at one time or the other experienced. Like, when a guy approaches a lady to propose and rather than just go straight to the point or show that he is shy, he will first do some “korokoro” (twist and turns) before hitting the nail on the head. And you know ladies will say to their friends: “Don’t mind that guy, he was just asking me JAMB Questions”. So, I decided to bring in that title to stamp it on the song such that even when years have gone by, people can still recollect and say: “Yeah, I remember that song, JAMB Question.” You said there were times you felt like pulling out, how did you manage those times? Well, I know I am a very stubborn person. I used to tell people that life is too short not to do what you love doing. So no matter the kind of money you have and the properties you acquire, if you chose not to do what you love, you will simply die unhappy. Even in those moments that I was down, my love for music has kept me going. Many celebrities are known to engage in a number of vices they claim are associated with their work. Which of these do you do?
Well, I don’t drink nor smoke. I know that people do say those things but for me, I really don’t engage in any of those vices. Is Simi in any relationship? Yes, I am in a relationship and that is all you are getting.
As a woman there must a number of things you look out for. What are those qualities that appeal to you?
Well, he has to be funny. I like a man who can joke a lot and he doesn’t have to be explaining them because even on my own, I am pretty good. He must also be a man who understands my job. I know guys who will say I can’t marry an artiste and I can relate with that. So, such a man must also be supportive of what I do and most importantly a man who loves God.
Recently, you and Falz recorded a song together and tongues have been wagging that there is something between the two of you. What do you have to say to that? I think people can sense the chemistry we have in making songs together. And to many people that automatically translates to a romantic relationship which to me, doesn’t necessarily has to be. And with the fact that they recently saw us on thecover of a magazine together, it was just promotional and nothing more, it does happen that you go to events and you take pictures with others. All of these could be brought together to create an effect, so for me, I really don’t get bothered with things like that.
The man who won your heart, what specifically did he do to win you over?
Well, let me put it this way, he was running on the track, he came first and I gave him the trophy.
You are known to have studied mass communication in school, are there times you envy colleagues who are in main
There was never a time for me to regret my decision to go into music at the expense of journalism because I have always known I would go into music and I remember that mum, just like any other typical Nigerian parent, used to tell me at the time, that I should try to get a job now that I was done with university so as to have some work experiences? But I know that you can’t do music on part time basis if you really want to be successful. I actually studied mass communication because of my passion for Radio - the On the Air Personality (OAP). I still like it and maybe one of these days I may go into it.
As a singer and as a songwriter, which one do you flow more with?
I don’t think there is anyone I am better at than the other. I have not done the comparison before because they are not really the same eventhough they are within the same realm.
So do you have any thing you are currently working on and what is it all about?
Well, definitely yes. But for now, I can’t let the cat out of the bag because I’m not even sure which of the cats should not be let out.
Between your mum and dad, who are you more closer to?
I have always been close to my mum right from childhood. My dad passed away in 2014. And I do remember that anytime I met him, he would always ask me to go for my master’s degree. Although he didn’t discourage me from music but he was the bookish type who always asked me about when I would do my Master’s.
After he and mum separated, I became closer to my mum. I only saw him on weekends. Sometimes I didn’t see him for some time. I was not just sad because he died but I was sadder because I was not closeby.