| Seyi or Shay | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 16 November 2015 (2015-11-16) | |||
| Recorded | 2013–2015 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 63:22 | |||
| Label | Island, Stargurl Limited | |||
| Producer | Executive producers
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| Seyi Shay chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Seyi or Shay | ||||
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Seyi or Shay is the debutstudio album by Nigerian singer-songwriterSeyi Shay. Formerly scheduled for release on 13 November 2015, the album was later shifted to 16 November 2015.[2] Released throughIsland Records and Stargurl Limited, the album generally features guest appearances fromFemi Kuti,Wizkid,Iyanya,Banky W.,Olamide,Patoranking,D'banj,Sound Sultan,Timaya, andCynthia Morgan[3] and production handled byLegendury Beatz, Princeton, Mike Okoigun,Pheelz,Spax, Otee Beatz, Phame, Dokta Frabz, Johan Hugo, Tee-Y Mix, Jerome Williams,Harmony Samuels andDel B.[4]
The concept behindSeyi or Shay expresses both sides of Seyi Shay as a person and a music artist. The album represents these dual sides: Seyi, portraying a traditional, good-girl persona, and Shay, embodying a more bold and international character. Together, they reflect the complexity of her personality and artistic expression. On 10 November 2015, Seyi Shay revealed thatSeyi or Shay would include guest appearances from the likes ofSauti Sol andFlavour and production fromHarmony Samuels,Tee-Y Mix,Legendury Beatz,Del B, and others.[5]
On 10 November 2015, Seyi Shay released a video trailer which served as a teaser in promotion of the album.[6] The video clip, directed byMeji Alabi for JM Films, depicts the two sides of her.[7] On 13 November 2015, a listening party for the album was hosted at theEko Hotels and Suites, with notable artists likeBanky W.,Cynthia Morgan,Iyanya,Toke Makinwa,Eva Alordiah andPaul Okoye in attendance.[8]
Seyi or Shay's lead single "Murda" featuringPatoranking andShaydee was released on 1 April 2014. It was produced by Dokta Frabz[9] and was nominated for Best Reggae/Dancehall Single atThe Headies 2014.[10] The album's second single "Crazy" featuresWizkid and was released on 15 October 2014. It was produced byLegendury Beatz.[11] The third single "Jangilova" was released on 17 April 2015. Ahighlife track, it was written byHarrysong and produced byDel B.[12] The album's fourth single "Right Now" was released on 7 July 2015. It was produced byHarmony Samuels and was the first single Shay released during her contract withIsland Records.[13] The fifth and final single off the album is the remix to "Right Now" and featuresBanky W. andIyanya. It was released on 18 October 2015.[14]
Pulse Nigeria's Joey Akan describedSeyi or Shay as a mixed effort that highlights Seyi Shay's dual personality but struggles with cohesion, stating, "this album lacks a signature sound." He noted that while the album has standout tracks like "Right Now", "Murda", and "Crazy", it often feels disjointed due to its patchwork production and reliance on 14 different producers. He rated the album a 3 out of 5, deeming it "worth checking out."[15] Ogaga Sakpaide oftooXclusive praised the album for showcasing Seyi Shay's vocal skills and tackling various themes with emotional precision, describing it as "what the career doctor prescribed". While standout tracks like "Higher", "Right Now", and "No Vacancy" displayed her strengths, the album was critiqued for lacking cohesion and some underwhelming collaborations. He rated the album 3 out of 5.[16] Oris Aigbokhaevbolo fromMusic in Africa highlightedSeyi or Shay as a calculated and market-driven debut that leans heavily on sexual themes and collaborations with male stars to navigate a male-dominated industry. He noted that the album explores female empowerment through a lens often tied to male desire, with tracks like "In Public" and "Right Now" reflecting the "new woman in pop as an empowered being". While describing the album as engaging but overproduced, he concluded, "Sex, as they say, sells", and expected the album to perform well in the market.[1]
| Year | Awards ceremony | Award description(s) | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | The Headies | Best R&B/Pop Album | Nominated |
| Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Album of the Year | Nominated |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" | Mike Okoigun | 1:06 | |
| 2. | "The Mic" | Deborah Joshua | Harmony Samuels | 3:07 |
| 3. | "In Public" (featuringCynthia Morgan) |
| Jerome Williams | 3:15 |
| 4. | "Mary" (featuringPhyno) |
| Otee Beatz | 3:17 |
| 5. | "Right Now" | Joshua | Samuels | 3:23 |
| 6. | "Healer" (featuringSound Sultan) |
| Samuels | 3:17 |
| 7. | "Crazy" (featuringWizkid) |
| Legendury Beatz | 3:54 |
| 8. | "No Vacancy" | Joshua | Tee-Y Mix | 3:15 |
| 9. | "Pack and Go" (featuringOlamide) |
| Pheelz | 3:42 |
| 10. | "Murda" (featuringPatoranking andShaydee) | Dokta Frabz | 3:30 | |
| 11. | "Higher" | Joshua | Johan Hugo | 4:27 |
| 12. | "Everlasting Love" | Joshua | Princeton Beatz | 3:21 |
| 13. | "Killing Me Softly" (featuringTimaya) |
| Del B | 3:39 |
| 14. | "Church" (featuringBoj) |
| Phame | 3:37 |
| 15. | "Loud" (featuringFemi Kuti) | Joshua | Spax | 2:51 |
| 16. | "Tina" (featuringD'banj) |
| DB Records | 3:42 |
| 17. | "Love Wan Tin Tin" | Joshua | Tee-Y Mix | 3:00 |
| 18. | "Jangilova" | Harrison Okiri | Del B | 3:24 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19. | "Right Now" (remix; featuringBanky W. andIyanya) | Samuels | 3:35 | |
| Total length: | 63:22 | |||
Notes
Credits adapted from back cover.[17]