Seyi Shay on Tiwa Savage Clash, Motherhood

A recent OffAir Show, hosted by Toolz and her co-host Gbemi, offered a multi-layered discussion ranging from ethical industry behavior to the intimate details of celebrity life, featuring the highly anticipated return of musical artist Seyi Shay. The dynamic hosts, Tolu and Gbemi, first delved into "Hot Tea Small Shade," starting with the personal life of global superstar Akon (referred to by Gbemi as "Uncle AON"), whose wife Tamika Thiam has filed for divorce after nearly 30 years. Thiam insists she is the only legally married wife, a point emphasized amidst Google’s suggestion that Akon has three wives. The hosts acknowledged Akon’s significant wealth, noting he was the first to sign Lady Gaga.

The conversation quickly pivoted to integrity, with Toolz and Gbemi commending event planner Funke Bucknor for returning 50 million naira unused from a client’s budget. Toolz emphasized that while the money was tempting, lacking integrity or being publicly labeled a "thief" is a "heavy stain" that can ruin a professional reputation. Gbemi added to the candid tone by firmly categorizing "runs" as sex work and prostitution and confessing her fear of pursuing such avenues, specifically due to the fear of public exposure. She also recalled a shocking experience at a London party where she was offered cocaine on a tray, an experience she avoided, humorously noting her fear of finding out she was allergic.

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Seyi Shay’s entrance, with whom Toolz and Gbemi share a decade-long personal history, signaled a shift to the core interview. Having taken a three-year hiatus, which she called the "best three years of my life," Seyi Shay is now "open for business" in Lagos. She used this period of isolation to be a "consumer fan," which helped her ensure her new, upcoming music is "original, authentic, and fresh". Seyi Shay highlighted the evolution of the Nigerian music industry, noting that her earlier experimental work, like the videos for "Mary" and "Crazy," led to her being labeled an Illuminati member. Yet, today, male artists like Rema are celebrated for similarly daring and experimental styles. However, she affirmed, in agreement with the hosts’ earlier opinion, that the Nigerian audience is generally harsher on female artists, expecting them to be "always put together".

Seyi Shay offered deeply personal details about her life as a mother to her daughter, Issa. She confirmed that while she is no longer with Issa's father, they are committed to co-parenting, a decision rooted in their mutual desire to shield Issa from the trauma they both experienced growing up without their fathers. She described motherhood as making her more selfless and patient, moving away from the "extremely selfish" trait she believes is required for "uber success" as an artist. She also recounted her dramatic 20-hour labor experience. Addressing the high cost of parenting, she confirmed reports that it is more expensive to raise a daughter, citing costs like five hours in the salon every two weeks for Issa's long hair, humorously declaring she has "no clothes for business" regarding future children. She has maintained her career by touring and earning commissions working on other artists’ projects behind the scenes.

The most revelatory segment was Seyi Shay’s discussion of her infamous, long-standing feud with Tiwa Savage. Seyi Shay agreed with Toolz's theory that people in the industry "pitted you against each other 100%". She revealed they are now "cool," having unblocked and followed each other on Instagram after seven years, with Tiwa Savage initiating the unblock. Crucially, she disclosed that she received definitive closure only recently when a former personal assistant confessed to having had an affair with Tiwa Savage's husband. Seyi Shay found the revelation disgusting but was relieved to find a possible root cause for the animosity, affirming her belief that the instigators of such industry drama are not the fans, but the "people in the industry" working behind the scenes. Seyi Shay confirmed she scrapped an earlier album that her executive producer disliked, but her new music, described as "very dope" and a return to her original "what you know before R&B" sound, is set for release early next year, possibly preceded by a single featuring an influential Nigerian artist. Toolz and Gbemi closed the interview by praising Seyi Shay's openness and expressing their excitement for her comeback, with Toolz recalling a time she believed Seyi Shay was the best female performer in the country, period. Seyi Shay affirmed she is now moving with intentionality, confidence, and her "truth" after extensive inner work.