- May7ven
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May7ven 
Singer, Entertainer May7ven Performing in Lagos, Nigeria 2008Background information Birth name Yemisi May Odegbami Born 7 May 1984
Ibandan, NigeriaOccupations Singer, songwriter, actress model, producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist & Developer Instruments Singing, drums Years active 2007– present Labels Best Entertainment,2004-2009, A7 Productions. & SRE Records/Yung Money 2011 - Current Associated acts Aeon Manahan, Michael Jackson Bryan Williams DJ Abrantee Website [4] Yemisi May Odegbami, known professionally as May7ven, is a singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, actress, model, entrepreneure and creator of Afr&b music (African RnB) Mixing contemporary RnB with Afrobeats. Which can be categorised as Afrobeats.[1] 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 Manahan (Alexandra Burke, Liberty X) also known as Step. "Hands Up", the debut single introduced elements of Afr&B, a musical and dance style May7ven created in the chart topping music video produced by Luti Media Luti Media website reached No.7 on MTV Base UK, Europe[2] and Africa amongst a number of other worldwide video charts under her own record label Best Entertainment Global with her business partner Mark Best. While the single received generous air play on the screens, it however failed majorly impact radio and UK national charts due to the lack of promotion and distribution. The single however was the highest rated urban single plugged by DJ's in UK & Germany according to The Playcenter CEO Stuckee Willboughby averaging 8 out of 10 and reached No.3 on the DMC World Charts. The single was also included in a number of urban RnB charts in Germany and Sweden, followed by extensive tour dates in Europe.
In summer 2009 Take off my clothes/Bo Aso La Ra Mi, another independent afrobeat release produced and co-written by Aeon Manahan and May7ven was released to the UK and Nigerian markets. The single included remixes by Colin Emmanuel and pioneer musik. The epic cinematic chart topping video directed by Ben Peters, produced by Luti Media gave May7ven's the title "Queen and Creator of AFR&B music" by Atunda Entertainment CEO Wanle Akinboboye who also created Ara the Talking Drummer. May7ven used her acrobatic dance displays, street dance, tap infused with traditional Nigerian dance steps in the ultra modern sleek futuristic award winning music video which Stayed on the Top 10 Nigerian Charts Nigeezy, Ben TV and for over 20 weeks, Music Africa, Hip on TV, Soundcity Top 10, Top 10 MTV Base UK, Europe and Africa, Channel AKA and much more; making her the first Nigerian born female artist to achieve this with one video. The release of the video landed May7ven with a major deal with Africa's largest Mobile Giants Globalcom as an ambassador and on a 18 city tour deal. With an offer to tour and an opportunity to tap into the Nigerian Music market, May7ven spent months touring and performing all over Nigeria including performances for the president of Nigeria at the villa in Abuja August 2009. May7ven quickly gain huge popularity with her live stage performances, elaborate wardrobe, style and video which won her, her 1st award at the biggest award celebration 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. With the achievements independently executed, May7ven has set her sights on the American music markets where UK Critics have comment that "her music is better suited for the U.S market" Entertainment focus commented that "The UK finally have an artist that can compete with the Americans" Rumoured to have made an impression on Akon
Contents
Early life
May7ven was born in Ibadan Nigeria to one of Nigerians greatest footballing & sports legends, Chief Segun Odegbami (MON) and a Nigerian Mother mother Jumoke Tejumola an Accountant and ex athlete. She attended Bodija International School before relocating to the UK by the age of 6 with her mother, her brother Junior Odegbami and sister Funmi Odegbami and settled in London. May7ven's has other siblings Tolu Odegbami, Steven Odegbami and Mo Odegbami who lived in Nigeria with their mothers. During her adolescence, May studied, Music, Sound Engineering and Architecture. She joined her church choir when she was 10 and started teaching street dance at her local community center in Kensal Green when she was just 14 to children and young adults. In 1999 during RnB Singer Adina Howard's UK performance, May7ven battled the singer and her dancers and won in front of a large audience at the Hammersmith Appollo. She became a songwriter and backing vocalist while in high school after being spotted performing an accapella on MTV after they visited her local community centre/recording studio to film. May7ven was invited to perform for music executives including Ronald Amanze who had already signed UK's biggest rap artist at the time Phoebe 1 who immediately signed her up to his label subsequently May7ven was invited to Virgin records by A&R Executive Nigel Howard after listening to her singing down the phone but as complex discussions began, Nigel left virgin and discussions ceased.
== 1997–2011: Songwriting and backing vocals ==
May7ven began songwriting and backing vocals in 1997 when she provided backing vocals for Phoebe1, 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 Money, One Fine day and Bout it feat. Rah Digga produced by Colin Emmanuel. She later went on to work with, tour and supported some of the biggest names in concert around the world including Blu Cantrell, Beverly Knight, Mary J, Angie Stone Stevie Brookstein. Akon, Joe Thomas plus others in what she calls her "spare time". 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 DJ Abrantee Show and the 1st Annual Gospel Music Awards UK 2009. In 2010 May7ven started working, writing and co producing for upcoming Nigerian artist under her label. She was the main feature in the 2010 music video by artist Meshak dubbed to be the most expensive Nigerian music video.
Performances
May7ven an energetic, charismatic and infectious live performer, captivating audiences with her dance moves and elaborate costumes and fire eaters. Described as the African Beyonce by This Day Newspaper. 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 to various performances in London. May7ven also performed at one of the most anticipated events of 2009 ‘Koko Concert‘ held at the 02 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 introducted to the stage by famous Nigerian comedian Basketmouth. with her growing popularity amongst the Nigerian audience May7ven was quickly 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 screaming students to the Sound Factory on Germany's popular Street Soul TV Show Broadcasted Live to Opening the Shell World Cup Football tournaments to over 40,000 spectators. Her Performances caught the attention of popular TV Mogul Bisi Olatilo who broadcasted an Hour Special Feature on May7ven on his program which repeated over several months in the UK, Germany, Ireland and Nigeria. 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 to perform at the 02 Arena. She introduced her current single "Number". In August 2011 May7ven performed in the 1st UK Afrobeats Festival being the only female Artist on the bill along with Wizkid, Psquare and Iceprince 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 Nigerias biggest artists.
Entrepreneurial Ambitions
In 2005 May7ven founded Fu-mi Artist Consultants based at 1 Olympic Way Wembley. An organization that enlisted professional backing singers and dancers and provided their services to record companies to support some of the biggest names in music for shows such as T4 Pop World, Festivals to Awards shows. Young Alexandra Burke who was Alex Bell at the time was brought by Paul Harris her hen manager to audition for the agency in 2005. She then went on and founded popular publication Urban Links Magazine who's very 1st edition included interviews with Rev Run and Russell Simmons, Rza, Wu Tang and Damon Dash adverts from Baby Phat, Nike plus others which she eventually sold to pursue her passion for music and properties after 12months. Along with her magazine she founded Best & Co. Properties A real estate firm whose very 1st property was No. 1 Marylebone Road at £1.2million. With a knack for spotting, designing & developing large real estate, May7ven homed in on her other creative side and took on some of the biggest projects from 2007 to 2009. Her property development portfolio ranges from Developing a total of 200 sq ft (19 m2) of space in total across New York, Boston, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, London, Dublin and Germany with her clients ranging from some of the worlds largest Hedge Funds (Bluecrest Capital Management) to Mobile Giants (GSM Association) In 2008 alone she set up, designed and opened the 12th floor of 9 West 57th Street, Solow Building in Manhattan, No,1 Boston Place in Massechusett, 4th Floor Millbank Tower, Embankment and grd flr, 1st and 2nd flrs of 40 Grosvenor Place in Victoria, London. Approx Total project valued at approx £20million. In 2009 May7ven retired as a Hedge Fund Manager to focus on her interest in music. With various businesses operating May7ven decided to include Music Publishing, a record label set up with business partner Mark Best and latest venture [Trinity7 Group International] a TV and Film production company already producing various programs on Sky Television. In Dec 2009 she produced the 1st GMA Awards held at the London Hilton Metropole Hotel. May7ven is also on the Board of Directors for Motherland Beakons Investment USA with Marlon Jackson, Mayor Gary Loster, Mayor Alfred Dixon, Mayor Jack Simms, Hollywood actor Walter Jones and President of African Tourism and owner of 64-acre (260,000 m2) Beach Resort in Lekke, Mr. Wanle Akinboboye.[3] She has a number of charities she has set up for children including TMACC (The Mathematical African Children's Charity) and is also one of the directors of the [International Sports & Music Academy] [4] in Wasimi, Nigeria. In 2011 She set up A7 Productions a TV and Entertainment Company with her Business partner Abrantee Boateng also known as DJ Abrantee and are the co owners of The Dj Abrantee Show.[5]
Present
In March 2011 May7ven launched her own radio show on City FM 105.1 in Nigeria broadcating each Friday from 8pm to 10pm. The radio show is 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 July 2011 May7ven signed a record deal with UK Label SRE (Skata Records Entertainment) the company also responsible for Dotstar and 9 other artists.
Tour history
▪ 2008 How We Does Tour - Germany, Sweden
▪ 2009 Globalcom Rock n Rule Tour
▪ 2011 Afrobeats Club & Festival TourTV 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 JudgeAwards 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 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 Fim 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 References
- ^ [1], May7ven's Official Website
- ^ [2], May7ven's Official Website
- ^ [3], RWD Magazine Article Mayy 2008
- ^ http://www.theinternationalacademy.org
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/user/djabranteetv
External links
Categories:- 1984 births
- Living people
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