Seyi Shay: How Sound Sultan’s Death Shaped My Music

Nigerian singer and songwriter Seyi Shay has spoken candidly about how the death of her mentor, Sound Sultan, deeply affected both her personal life and her music career.

In a recent interview with TVC, the singer revealed that losing Sound Sultan in 2021 drained her passion for music. Around the same time, she discovered she was expecting her daughter, which further convinced her to step away from the industry due to what she described as its “toxic” environment.

“During the filming of Nigerian Idol, I lost my mentor, my best friend, and someone who was like a father to me — Sound Sultan,” she recalled. “When I first came to Nigeria, I lived with him and his wife in FESTAC for a year. He co-signed me, introduced me to the right people, and made sure I was protected. He was the reason I found my footing in the industry.”

Seyi Shay admitted that continuing the show after his passing was incredibly difficult. She had planned to visit him in New York during a filming break but never got the chance. “What hurt the most was that I didn’t see him before he died. He even asked me to bring him something. That broke me. I felt like I had no will to keep making music without him,” she said.

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The singer added that her pregnancy gave her another reason to pause. “I told myself there’s no way I’m raising my child in this toxic industry and under constant scrutiny. That was when I decided to take a step back for my peace of mind and my mental health.”