Seye on the Africa Express!

“One to Watch” The Observer

“Staccato electro, rolling Afrobeats and killer vocal/synth hook, there’s a lot to love here on the Anglo-Nigerian artist’s debut” The Sunday Times

“This electro-soul-funkist is a Prince among men… primed to soundtrack beauteous sunsets all summer long” Independent On Sunday

“Clattering, dramatic Afro-electro soul” The Times

“He's like a younger, cooler Paul Simon around the time of his African adventure or Peter Gabriel circa So”

The Guardian

“Blends Afrobeat, grime, electronica and a suitably eclectic songwriting talent. Definitely one to watch”

Daily Mirror

“Fizzing soul pop that makes your serotonin surge” The Fly

“Fela Kuti for the Rinse generation” NME

“Fusing tribal percussion with sickly sweet pop melodies... too pop for the underground, too complex for the mainstream, the Nigerian born artist feels oddly out of place, which is perhaps exactly where he should be” Clash

“’White Noise’ is a crystal-clear, glistening piece of dance, garage and afrobeat-infused pop”

This Is Fake DIY

Seye will release his second single ‘Mexicana Bounce’ on 8 October 2012 via Stranger Records / Mercury. The “lovely late summery Afro-poppy tune” (The Guardian) is already receiving strong support from Huw Stephens on Radio 1 and from Xfm watch the brilliant new video here: http://youtu.be/DoeuDCzEciA

Seye's debut single 'White Noise' was released by Stranger in April and picked up regular Radio 1 plays from Huw Stephens, Rob Da Bank, Nick Grimshaw and Sara Cox. Seye has since signed to Mercury, the home of fellow Afro Pop star D'Banj, has played some of the biggest UK festivals including Isle Of Wight, Lounge On The Farm and Latitude, provided guest vocals on The Very Best’s single ‘Kondaine’ (check out the video shot in the wilds of Kenya here: http://youtu.be/WDvwzgML6ZQ) and begun work on his debut album with the likes of Afrikan Boy and Spoek Mathambo. Seye also joined Damon Albarn on his Africa Express Train Tour in September, alongside Amadou & Mariam, Gruff Rhys and Bombay Bicycle Club, even playing guitar with Paul McCartney at the London leg of the tour.

The colourful pop singer returns with the suitably upbeat ‘Mexicana Bounce’, an ode to a break up not gone entirely to plan, set in a Mexican restaurant. “They don’t go through with it, and they just think "sod it, let’s just go out and have a good time" explains Seye. Taking a leaf out of Paul Simon’s approach to songwriting with more of a storytelling style in the verses, it’s more poetic and figurative than your average pop song; re-affirming that Seye isn’t your average pop star. It has a distinctive Afro dance feel, influenced by his collaborations with the Afrobeats scene and lives up to its title with more than a little 'bounce' to the catchy chorus.

The single also features several remixes, most notably from The Very Best who provide an explosive Afro-carnival take on the track, just in time for the summer. Another highlight comes from hotly tipped electronic duo Bondax with a breezy Balearic two step version.

After supporting Lana Del Rey late last year, Emeli Sande on her UK tour in April, Seye was asked by Paloma Faith to be her main support at Somerset House in July, even joining Paloma on stage to play guitar during the hit single ‘Stone Cold Sober’. Seye has been playing with a brand new live band, which a features a fabulous keyboard player Hinako Omori and an astonishing young drummer Amanda Brown, who might just be the female Questlove. Having taken their new show to festivals this summer, Seye will be supporting The Very Best on their US tour next month, followed by a string of UK dates with Aiden Grimshaw. No one but Seye could be asked to support such diverse artists and shows he straddles the worlds of Afro Beat and pop with incredible ease.

If the name Adelekan sounds familiar, it’s because Seye is Gbenga from Metronomy’s younger brother. Proving that musical talent runs in the family, Seye started out playing guitar for big name pop artists such as Ellie Goulding, Paloma Faith and The Noisettes. Now he’s going it alone and showing he’s a formidable and multi-cultural new talent in his own right. Born in Nigeria and now living in Bromley via Ecuador and Holland, Seye is a truly modern pop star in the making.

Seye UK Dates:

Wed 19 Sep Bristol O2 Academy w/ Aiden Grimshaw

Thu 20 Sep Nottingham Rescue Rooms w/ Aiden Grimshaw

Sat 22 Sep Northampton Roadmender w/ Aiden Grimshaw

Sun 23 Sep Bournemouth Old Fire Station w/ Aiden Grimshaw

Mon 24 Sep Brighton Concorde 2 w/ Aiden Grimshaw

Wed 26 Sep Birmingham O2 Academy w/ Aiden Grimshaw

Thur 27 Sep Glasgow King Tuts w/ Aiden Grimshaw

Fri 28 Sep Leeds Cockpit w/ Aiden Grimshaw

Sun 30 Sep Manchester Academy 3 w/ Aiden Grimshaw

Mon 1 Oct Oxford O2 Academy w/ Aiden Grimshaw

Tue 2 Oct London Scala w/ Aiden Grimshaw