Simi on Finding Herself with Her Sixth Studio Album, ‘Lost and Found’

Accomplished singer and songwriter Simi talks about returning to music after childbirth and what to expect from her newly-released album, ‘Lost and Found.’

A photo of Simi during an interview with OkayAfrica.

Simi came out of her comfort zone with ‘Lost and Found.’

Photo from OkayAfrica/YouTube.

Nigerian music sensation Simi has today released her sixth studio album, Lost and Found. “I’ve had so many phases of my life as an artist,” Simi tells OkayAfrica in an interview. “I’ve had a phase in my life especially after I had my daughter where I felt like I wasn’t really seeing myself as much. I was working. I’m an artist. I’m a mum, but the ‘me’ that was just for me, I wasn’t seeing her as much.”

At this critical juncture in Simi’s journey, she says that every song she penned was to vent. Yet, with time, she found joy in the act of songwriting once more. “I just wanted to make music that made me feel good, that’s really all it was,” she says, “and I felt it’d be nice to put a stamp on that time.” This album undeniably marks Simi’s reconnection to her essence, a personal tribute to herself. “Lost and Found is not about anything deep or shallow, it’s just me having a good time, and finding that part of myself again.”

Lost and Found guarantees an exhilarating ride, boasting the highest number of features in any of Simi’s albums to date. Reflecting on the uniqueness of this album, the Men Are Crazy crooner explains, “I wanted to come out of my comfort zone even more.” While she appreciates collaborations, she observes that many of her features, though significant, typically appear on other artists’ tracks. “So I wanted to do more with people on this project. I felt like it’d be a nice departure from what people are used to.”

Simi’s previous albums typically featured one or two collaborations. However, this time around, her album boasts seven features. “This album has more features than any other of my albums, and I’m proud of myself for that,” she says. “There’s a single with Falz, titled ‘Borrow Me Your Baby.’ It’s a funny, fun song. Falz and I share a history, and this is the next part to what we’ve done in the past.” Other collaborations include one with Bella Shmurda, which Simi describes as among her favorites, another with Ladipoe, and one titled “Alafia,” meaning peace in Yoruba, where she teams up with the award-winning Nigerian French singer and songwriter Asa.

“I love Asa,” says Simi, who last year toured with Grammy-winning artist Alicia Keys. “[Asa’s] one of my idols in the industry. I listened to her when I was young, and she really inspired me.” So much so that Simi had a list of collaborators she hoped to work with when she began her music career, and Asa was among them. “It’s such a full circle moment to have [a song] with her on the album. I also have one with Lojay. I love Lojay – I think he’s one of my favorite writers in Nigeria right now. He’s very original and fresh, and he brought that energy to my album as well.”

Apart from looking forward to seeing how her album is received, and her music journey this year, Simi has plans to unwind, particularly with her friends and family. “I like me a little nice beach vacation and a nice game night,” she says. “I don’t go out much, except I have to work. If you can give me nice cocktails, and put me in front of a beach and just be nice to me, I’m good.”

Watch Simi’s interview with OkayAfrica below: