Seyi Shay says Sound Sultan’s death changed her life

Nigerian singer and songwriter Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua, better known as Seyi Shay, has opened up about a deeply personal period in her life, revealing how the death of music legend Sound Sultan nearly made her quit music altogether.

In a candid conversation on TVC, the 39-year-old singer described Sound Sultan as more than just a colleague, he was her mentor, best friend, and father figure. She recalled that when she first relocated from the UK to Nigeria to pursue music, Sultan and his wife welcomed her into their home in FESTAC, Lagos.

“When I first came to Nigeria, I was living with him and his wife for a year,” she shared. “He was the one who co-signed me and introduced me to everybody in the industry, to make sure that those who were his people looked out for me.”

But in 2021, just as she was filming Nigerian Idol, tragedy struck. Sound Sultan passed away after a private battle with cancer. For Seyi Shay, it was a devastating blow that left her struggling to finish the TV show’s filming schedule.

“What hurt the most was that I didn’t get to see him before he passed away,” she said. “I was supposed to fly to New York that weekend when we had a break. He even asked me to bring him something specifically. It just tore me apart.”

The loss of her mentor made her reassess everything. “I felt like I didn’t have the will to continue to do music without Sound Sultan, my peace of mind, and my mental health. So, I decided to go on a little break,” she admitted.

Adding to the emotional weight, Seyi Shay discovered she was pregnant around the same time. She said she wanted to shield her unborn child from what she described as the “toxic environment” of the music industry.

“There’s no way I was going to have my child in the industry I was in, under the constant scrutiny and pressure,” she explained. “So, I just thought I should step back, breathe, and take care of myself.”

Her break from music lasted several years, leaving fans wondering why the powerhouse vocalist had slowed down on releases. During that time, she embraced motherhood fully, keeping much of her personal life private.

Seyi Shay first made waves in the Nigerian music scene in 2011 with her debut single Irawo, which became an instant hit. Known for blending Afropop, R&B, and soul, she quickly became one of Nigeria’s most recognisable female artists, releasing hits like Right Now, Yolo Yolo, and Gimme Love.

Though she has been more lowkey in recent years, her revelation suggests fans might see a new, evolved Seyi Shay, one who is returning to music on her own terms and in her own time.

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