May7ven

May Odegbami , known professionally as May7ven, is a Nigerian-born singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, actress, model and entrepreneur.

Early life and education May7ven was born in Ibadan, Nigeria to Nigerian footballer Chief Segun Odegbami, 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 six with her mother, her brother Junior Odegbami and sister Funmi Odegbami, CEO of MINK Cosmetics LLP. May7ven has other siblings, Tolu Odegbami, Steven Odegbami, Mo Odegbami and Tito 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 at age 14. She landed her first job as an estate agent and property developer at age 17 whilst pursuing her studies and music career.

Career She debuted in 2008 in the UK with single Hands Up, which she co-wrote with songwriter and producer Aeon 'Step' Manahan.

In May 2009 Take off my clothes/Bo Aso La Ra Mi, released under her own label Best entertainment, 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 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" charted no.5 Nigerian Charts Nigeezy and Ben TV for 20 weeks, Music Africa, Hip on TV, Soundcity Top 10 for 12 weeks and Top 10 MTV Base UK, Europe and Africa, Channel AKA for six weeks.

In February 2009, May7ven teamed up with DJ Abrantee as her tour DJ in Nigeria and the UK. In April 2009, May7ven signed to African Mobile Giants Globalcom as an ambassador and embarked on an 18 city tour for six months. May7ven performed for the president of Nigeria at Aso Rock in Abuja August 2009. May7ven won her 1st award at the NMVA (Nigerian Music Video Award 2009) for Best Video in Europe and the 1st female to win that category. She secured endorsements with Guinness, ExxonMobil, Zain, Nigerian Bureaus and Nigerian Law Bar Association. In 2012, May7ven released 'TEN TEN' under Skata Records, and 'Hey Mr' in 2013 under M7 Music Group. Both Singles were Playlisted on Choice FM, now known as Capital Xtra for six weeks and received heavy rotation across multiple UK radio stations. On 7 May 2014, May7ven release single 'Werk' which was awarded Best UK Afrobeats Promotional Single at the Screen Nations Awards and single 'What Ur Feeling' both produced by TY Mix.

1997–2020: Songwriting and backing vocals

At age 15, May7ven started as a songwriting and backing singer. In 1997 provided backing vocals for Phoebe One, Wayne Marshall, Ebony, LLoydie Crucial and KRS1. May7ven provided backing vocals on three 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 Blu Cantrell, Beverley Knight, Mary J Blige, Angie Stone Stevie Brookstein. Akon, Joe Thomas plus others. In summer of 2008 May7ven performed for the Jacksons Jacksons Marlon Jackson at the La Campaign Tropicana in Lekke, Nigeria. 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 created, produced and co directed The DJ Abrantee Show on Sky TV with Rex chosen as the Director. 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. In 2012, May7ven created the platform "Search for an Afrobeats Superstar" which became a TV show in Africa and UK in 2014. In 2014, May7ven created the Afrobeats News on Capital Xtra and hired Beat FM's top presented Toolz to anchor during DJ Abrantee's Afrobeats Radio Show. In 2018 May7ven started working with Music producer Silverston on new music.

Performances

May7ven set up a number of charities for children including TMACC (The Mathematical African Children's Charity) and is also a part of the International Sports & Music Academy in Wasinmi, Nigeria (her ancestral home) owned by her father Segun Odegbami. May7ven is also the Co-founder of SistasUnite Charity for women and children founded in April 2014. In April 2018 May7ven co-founded The Abrantee Boateng Foundation.

Present

Tour history

2008 How We Does Tour – Germany, Sweden 2009 Globalcom Rock n Rule Tour 2009 Koko Concert with D'banj and Mo Hits 2010 Koko Concert with D'banj and Mo Hits 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 – Judge Fame Music presents Afrobeats Search for a Star Judge 2015 – 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 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 2018 Nigerian News Awards Special Recognition Awards – Outstanding business and artistic contribution to African music