May7ven

May7ven (pronounced may seven) - Singer-song writer, dancer, producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist born in Nigeria is the latest artist to storm into the male dominated UK & Africa music scene. May7ven is fast becoming a much sort after brand commodity due to her distinctive look, sound, dancing and style she created and calls AFR&B. Her signature half braided and half European hair style is part of the branding and define the true essence of AFR&B which is Africanising R&B through her music, her elaborate stage performances, costumes and her energitic dancing which have been described to have Missy Elliot jumping out of her seat. May7ven’s journey began in church when she who wrote her first song “Change” at the age of 8 and asked for it to be submitted to Michael Jackson for his album. A child prodigy who after watching a church drummer play was immediately able to mimic the drum patterns like a true genius. The Choir Master, impressed with her musical ability and her powerful soprano voice recruited her to lead singer of her choir. By the tender age of 15 May7ven signed a label/management deal in the UK and had already worked with the likes of accomplished soul sensation Wayne Marshall, KRS-1, US RnB diva Adina Howard, Horace Brown and UK’s no.1 female rapper Phoebe1 and choreographing for established bands. Working with some of the industries veterans equipped the confident multi talented singer, song writer & executive producer – May7ven - to bring her amazing vocal & dacing abilities to the international market. Inspired by Motown, Michael Jackson, 80’s break dance & disco era’s, May7ven’s talents were spotted early on by a number of music industry executives after singing down the telephone to an A&R’s voicemail at Virgin Records Nigel Howard who immediately returned her call and set up a meeting her. That period allowed her to experience the up’s and downs of the music industry before eventually homing in on her REAL AMBITIONS & SOUND she disparately fought to keep after various failed attempts to change her style. Growing up with her mother in the UK were tough, with her mother working a number of jobs and that often meant May7ven and her 2 siblings were encouraged to grow up quickly. With the ambition and entrepreneurial drive already compared to the likes of Sway, Ludacris even Jay-Z who all used business to launch their careers. May7ven who had learned very quickly and had started turning her intellectual skills into cash by setting up various business from Selling mini perfumes, mobile phones to the “rich kids” to designing and customising clothes to the cool students in school and by the time she was 18 was selling houses through her own property business so that she could eventually facilitate the process of becoming a recognised recording artist and music mogul and was determined to raise enough capital to set up a record company, build a recording studio and sign other artists. During her journey May travelled to L.A after selling her car to spend some time familiarising herself with the territory, met producers and eventually meeting an executive from Universal Music Group who opened her eyes to endless possibilities. Armed with her new found confidence May returned to the UK, partnered with Mark Best to complete the recording studio, began writing, producing and supporting other artists and subsequently working on her new music. May7ven started her own Music Publishing company M7 Publishing to facilitate the process of establishing herself also as a writer. She later roped in the musical talents of Ian Step Thomas - ex-member and producer of 90’s boy band Nine Yards. Here the music talent of the two young creative’s entwined created the sound they called Funked-up RnB Pop which is now known as AFR&B. It was during this period in 2007 that Her debut single “Hands up” was re-created and the plan to shoot a video was formed. The single was released on the 7th may 2008 in the UK and enjoyed several weeks in the top spot at No.7 MTV Base UK, Europe and Africa and it appeared on various international charts including Music Weekly’s Top 20 Charts,World DJ Charts and most notably holding the No.3 Top Club RnB track and various other charts in Germany, Sweden and Nigeria. With the modest level of success from the single May7ven’s entrepreneurial ambitions went into over drive and capitalised on the exposure by landing a number of contracts with Brands for endorsements and tours so she could focus on her career in the territories she was able to have impact and has been touring extensively around the world since. She generated enough buzz through her online digital and viral campaign while her vocals, songwriting and performance excellence had caught the attention of some of the biggest names in the industry. This was highlighted by her performances for the biggest family names in the history music, The Jackson’s, Marlon Jackson in 2008 who is said to be a fan of the young artist and has kept in touch with and advising the young artist about her career. May7ven kicked started 2009 by supporting Akon in concert then landing an 18 city tour deal in Africa supported by one of Nigeria’s largest mobile communications & oil company Global com. While touring May7ven had also been recognized by other brands and performed for other brands such as Guinness, Zain Mobile, Nigerian Breweries, Bar Law Association, Lagos State government, Ex Presidents, the Ambassador of Argentina plus much more in the first half of 2009 alone. She has since returned to the UK in June 2009 to complete her album and release her follow up single and breath taking video “Take off my clothes/Bo Aso La Ra Mi” which has recently been added to MTV Base UK, Europe and Africa channel AKA, FLAVA TV, BEN TV UK plus many other and has already entered at TOP 10 of most of the biggest music station in Africa. The single has over 7 remixes and video edits out from Funky house to soul, baseline, R&B, and even a version sun in Yoruba for the Nigerian market. The second serving from her forth coming Album album "Take off my clothes/Bo Aso La Ra Mi" is an infectious, sexy, breathy track that rides on a mid-tempo supersonic instrumental proving her last summer anthem “Hands up” was not just a one off will be released in July 2009. May7ven has already confirmed tours dates with her dance troupe to Jo Berg, Cape town in July 09, Argentina, Germany and the USA before even having any impact with the follow up single. May7ven has supported a host of internationally acclaimed artists; Akon, Jagged Edge, Blue Cantrell, Angie Stone ATL, Wu Tang Clan, Jamelia, Steve Brookstien, KRS1, Phoebe 1, Mary J Blige, Wayne Marshall, Ebony, Tiwa, Adina Howard, Horace Brown, Rick Clark, Joe Thomas, Sean Paul, and many more.