May7ven
| May7ven | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Yemisi May Odegbami |
| Born |
7 May 1984 Ibadan, Nigeria |
| Genres | Afrobeats pop, hip hop[1] funk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, dancer model, producer, entrepreneur & Developer |
| Instruments | Singing, drums |
| Years active | 2000– present |
| Labels | Best Entertainment,2004–2009, M7 Music Group Present |
| Associated acts | Aeon Manahan, Abrantee Boateng |
| Website |
www |
Yemisi May Odegbami (born 7 May 1984), known professionally as May7ven 'Queen of Afrobeats',[2][3][4][5] is a Nigerian-born singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, actress, model and entrepreneur. May7ven was born in Ibadan, Nigeria. She debuted in 2008 in the UK with single Hands Up, which she co-wrote with song writer & producer Aeon 'Step' Manahan.
In summer 2009 Take off my clothes/Bo Aso La Ra Mi, released independently produced and co-written by Aeon Manahan and May7ven was released in the UK and Nigeria. The single included remixes by Colin Emmanuel and pioneer musik. The video was directed by Ben Peters and produced by Luti Media. May7ven's title "Queen of Afrobeats" was coined in 2005 by Atunda Entertainment CEO Wanle Akinboboye who also managed anre created Ara the Talking Drummer. May7ven is renowned for her acrobatic african dance displays, street dance, tap infused with traditional Nigerian dance steps. Her 2009 video for single "Bo Aso La Ra mi" stayed on the Top 10 Nigerian Charts Nigeezy, Ben TV for 20 weeks, Music Africa, Hip on TV, Soundcity Top 10 fr 12 weeks and Top 10 MTV Base UK, Europe and Africa, Channel AKA for 6weeks. May7ven landed a deal with African Mobile Giants Globalcom as an ambassador and embarked on an 18 city tour in 2009. May7ven spent months touring and performing all over Nigeria including performances for the president of Nigeria at the villa in Abuja August 2009. May7ven won her 1st award at the NMVA (Nigerian Music Video Award 2009) for Best Video in Europe being the 1st female to ever win in this category. She was also signed up for brand relaunches from Guinness, Exxon Mobile, Zain and Nigerian Bureaus and Nigerian Law Bar Association.
Early life
May7ven was born in Ibadan, Nigeria to one of Nigeria's greatest footballing & sports legends, Chief Segun Odegbami,[6] and a Nigerian mother, Jumoke Tejumola, an accountant and ex-athlete. She attended Bodija International School before relocating to the UK at the age of 6 with her mother, her brother Junior Odegbami and sister Funmi Odegbami CEO of MINK Cosmetics LLP. May7ven has other siblings, Tolu Odegbami, Steven Odegbami and Mo Odegbami who live in Nigeria with their mothers. During her adolescence, May studied Music, Sound Engineering, Building surveying and Architecture. She joined her church choir when she was 10 and started teaching street dance at her local community centre in Kensal Green, when she was just 14, to children and young adults. She landed her first job as an estate agent and property developer at age 17 whilst pursuing a studies and music career.
1997–2012: Songwriting and backing vocals
May7ven began songwriting and backing vocals in 1997 when she provided backing vocals for Phoebe One, Wayne Marshall, Ebony, LLoydie Crucial and KRS1. May7ven can be heard providing backing vocals on various tracks of RnB Singer Jamelia's 2000 debut Album Drama on tracks 'Money', 'One Fine day' and 'Bout it' feat. Rah Digga produced by Colin Emmanuel. She later went on to work with, tour and supported big names in concert around the world including Blu Cantrell, Beverley Knight, Mary J Blige, Angie Stone Stevie Brookstein. Akon, Joe Thomas plus others. In summer of 2008 May7ven fulfilled one of her lifetime ambitions which was to impress the Jacksons which she did after performing for Marlon Jackson at the La Campaign Tropicana in Lekke, Nigeria. The impressed Jackson commented that May7ven reminded him a lot of like his sister Janet and struck a friendship with the young artist giving her sound advice for her career and her fancy footwork. In 2009, May7ven was commissioned to write and produce several programmes and theme music for TV and films including the 1st Eko Awards, Abuja Festival, The 1st Annual Gospel Music Awards UK 2009. In 2010 May7ven started working as the executive producer of the DJ Abrantee Show on Sky TV. . In 2011 May7ven teamed with producer Antoine Stone to complete works on her album which included recording an Afrobeats single "Ten Ten" released in May 2012.
Performances
Her earlier 2008 bookings included performing in New York venue Sugar Bar owned by Mowtown singers Ashford & Simpson, Opening up for Grandmaster Flash at the Ingenuity Festival in Cleveland Ohio[7] to various performances in London. May7ven also performed at one of the most anticipated events of 2009 'Koko Concert'[8] held at the O2 arena in London. This concert consisted of African star D'Banj, Don Jazzy and the rest of the Mo Hits squad with May7ven as the only female artist. She was introduced to the stage by famous Nigerian comedian Basketmouth. In Oct 2009 May7ven was booked to headline at 5 Nigerian Independence Day concerts over a 2-day period in London & Dublin in 2009. Her Extensive Tour Schedule between 2008 and 2009 have seen the young artist Headline a performance at Sweden's Fryshusset performing to over 4000 students to the Sound Factory on Germany's popular Street Soul TV Show Broadcast Live to Opening the Shell World Cup Football tournaments to over 40,000 spectators. Her performances were featured on TV Mogul Bisi Olatilo's Show which broadcast an Hour Special on 7 May. In March 2011 May7ven performed on the IDOLS WEST AFRICA Live show in Nigeria where she debuted her 3rd single "Number" Idols is one of the most watched TV shows in Africa. In June 2011 May7ven Joined Ginuwine and J.holiday[9] to perform at The O2 Arena where she introduced single "Number". In August 2011 May7ven performed in the 1st UK Afrobeats Festival[10] being the only female Artist on the bill along with Wizkid, P-Square and Ice Prince to over 5000 spectators, including Akon, Mobo founder Kanya King, Tim Westwood and more. In October 2011 May7ven was invited to perform for the MTN 10th Year Anniversary Show in Lagos with 10 of Nigeria's biggest artists. In January 2012 May7ven performs a new to be released single "Ten Ten" at the Afrobeats Sundays event with Iceprince.
She has set up a number of charities for children including TMACC (The Mathematical African Children's Charity) and is also one of the directors of the International Sports & Music Academy[11] in Wasimi, Nigeria. May7ven is also the Co-founder of SistasUnite Charity for women and children founded in April 2014.[12]
Present
In March 2011 May7ven launched her own radio show on City FM 105.1 in Nigeria broadcasting each Friday from 8pm to 10pm co produced by DJ Abrantee. The radio show was presented by May7ven for two hours playing her Top 7 music count down, music from across the world and Live interviews with other artists. In March 2011, May7ven signed to Malta Guinness and Endemol as a permanent judge on the hit TV Show's 4th season of The Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa 4 2011 along with judges Wale Rubber and Franklyspeaking. May7ven launched her 3rd single entitled "Number" produced by Step of Badself Entertainment, remixed, mixed and mastered by Ayodele Basil aka Delb in Nigeria in May 2011. In March 2012, May7ven's unreleased single "Ten Ten" was A-Listed on UK's Choice FM Radio making it the 2nd Afrobeat song to be playlisted on a UK Commercial Radio, after Dbanj's "Oliver Twist" in 2013 May7ven founded M7 Music Group, Afrobeats Live, CDN Networks, May Zing Hair line and Created of Afrobeats Search for a Star in September 2013 with her partner Abrantee Boateng[13] In April 2013, May7ven launched AfrobeatsLive at Jazz Cafe and partnered with Abrantee Boateng, sponsored by DLA Worldwide. An event that showcases Afrobeats Musicians on a Live Stag and TV Platform [14] In May 2014 May7ven executively produced a charity single 'SISTAS UNITE' in support of the Bringbackourgirls campaign in Nigeria. She signed UK producer Mictizzlebeats and Daniel Sync and lined up 14 African female artists to lend their voices to the cause.
Tour history
▪ 2008 How We Does Tour – Germany, Sweden
▪ 2009 Globalcom Rock n Rule Tour
▪ 2011 Afrobeats Club & Festival Tour
▪ 2014 UK School Tour (Anti Bullying & Sistas Unite
TV presenting
▪ Star Host 1 Hour Special – Soundcity Music Channel 2009
▪ Naija's TOP 10 Count Down – Nigeezy with Andre Blaze
▪ Ben TV's Top 10 Count Down – Sky TV
▪ Atunda Half Hour Special – Biscon, Bisi Olatilo Show
▪ Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa 2010 – Celebrity Guest Judge
▪ Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa 2011 – Permanent Judge
▪ Fame Music presents Afrobeats Search for a Star Judge 2015 – Permanent Judge
Awards and nominations
| Year | Institution | Award |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | NMVA Awards 2009 | Won Best Video in Europe |
| 2009 | African Film Awards | Won Best Artist |
| 2009 | NYAA (Nigerian Young Achievers Awards) | Won Best New Artist |
| 2009 | NMA (Nigerian Music Award UK) | Won Best New Female Artist |
| 2009 | M&M Awards 2009 | Won Excellence Awards |
| 2009 | AMA (African Movie Awards) | Nominated – Best Artist |
| 2009 | HFF (Hedge Fund Facilities Award) | Runner-up – Best Desk Arrangement |
| 2010 | Museke Africa 2010 | Nominated – Best African Artist in the Diaspora |
| 2010 | African Music Awards 2010 | Nominated – Best African Artist in the Diaspora |
| 2010 | African Film Awards (Afrohollywood) 2010 | Winner – Outstanding Contribution to Music |
| 2011 | Nigerian Promoters Association (NPA USA) 2011 | Nominated – Best International Music Act |
| 2011 | Nigerian Entertainment Award (NEA USA) Sept 2011 | Nominated – Best International Artist |
| 2012 | Woman 4 Africa (W4A) 2012 | Winner – Recognition award for music contribution |
| 2012 | Nigerian Entertainment & Lifestyle Award (NEL UK) Sept 2012 | Winner – Best Breakthrough Artist |
| 2012 | BEFFTA Awards | Winner – Best UK Afrobeats Artist |
| 2015 | Screen Nation Awards | Winner – Best UK Afrobeats promo |
References
- ↑ "May7ven". May7ven. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
- ↑ http://www.sheinspiredher.com/2016/07/interview-africa-film-award-winning.html/. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ http://www.nigerianwatch.com/ents/2404-x-factor-winner-alexandra-burke-teams-up-with-afrobeats-queen-may7ven/. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.bellanaija.com/2013/07/queen-of-uk-afrobeats-may7ven-talks-to-bbc-africa-about-getting-into-music-her-new-album-more/. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ "Queen of Afrobeats joins the Afrohits Show".
- ↑ https://www.bellanaija.com/2014/07/segun-odegbamis-daughter-may7ven-teases-new-single-with-boudoir-photo/. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ "This Is Ingenuity". Ingenuity Cleveland. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
- ↑ "The Nigerian Thriller! D'Banj & The MoHits All Stars' Koko Concert Rocks London's O2 Arena". Bella Naija. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
- ↑ "Ginuwine & J Holiday Tickets | Ginuwine & J Holiday". The O2. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
- ↑ "Home – Afrobeats Festival | P'Square – Wizkid – Iceprince & More". Afrobeatsfestival.webs.com. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
- ↑ "TIA". Theinternationalacademy.org. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
- ↑ http://www.nigerianwatch.com/news/4555-may7ven-and-13-other-artists-unite-to-produce-chibok-single-titled-sistas-unite
- ↑ http://www.afrobeatssearchforastar.co.uk/. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ "DJ Abrantee and May7ven bring afrobeats lovers an array of emerging talent at Camden's Jazz Cafe". Nigerianwatch.com. Retrieved 16 April 2014.