Simi

Nigerian singer/songwriter Simi achieved both widespread acclaim and strong sales by channeling an array of influences through a ballad-focused strain of Afropop.

Born Simisola Bolatito Ogunleye in the Ojuelegba district of Surele, she discovered her innate vocal ability during childhood while singing with Outstandin', a church-based ensemble in her neighborhood. Her first professional outing arrived in 2008 with the self-produced gospel set Oga Ju. The 2014 EP Restless, built mainly around covers such as Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain," brought initial industry attention and secured a contract with X3M Music. Following the early-2014 singles "Tiff" and "E No Go Funny," Simi earned the Most Promising Act to Watch honor at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in 2015 and received a Best Alternative Song nomination at The Headies.

The 2016 Chemistry EP strengthened her position, as "Love Don't Care" and "Outta My Head" earned two nominations plus one win at The Headies and another nod for Best Breakthrough Act at the MTV Africa Awards that year. Her second studio album, Simisola, followed in 2017, reaching number five on the Billboard World Albums Chart and blending soul, Afrobeat, singer/songwriter, and highlife elements within her Afropop framework.

Ogunleye issued her third studio album, Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1, in April 2019; preceded by the tracks "Lovin," "Ayo," and "I Dun Care," the set adopted a gentler, ballad-centered approach. She and X3M subsequently ended their partnership, after which the artist launched her own imprint, Studio Brat. The long-awaited follow-up to her earlier project, Restless II, surfaced in October 2020, incorporating Afrobashment and trap textures while featuring appearances by Ms. Banks, WurID, and Adekunle Gold.