Who the hell is... Seye?

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Kim Taylor Bennett introduces a pop star with a global history, and the sounds to match

Say-yay! Is that how you say it?

It’s actually pronounced ‘Cher’, which causes all manner of confusion. According to the 24-year-old, the key point of difference between him and the diva singer is that he’s got longer legs.
He actually looks kinda familiar.

Perhaps you recognise Seye Adelekan as the debonair guitarist who spent his formative years touring with Paloma Faith.
Any relation to Metronomy’s bassist Gbenga Adelekan?

Why yes, you big music nerd. Would you like us to map out a family tree?
That won’t be necessary, but where the devil is he from?

He’s a citizen of the world: raised in Nigeria, Holland, Ecuador and, erm, Bromley.
Presumably this itinerant lifestyle has filtered into his music?

Correct! Current single ‘Mexicana Bounce’ (out October 8 on Stranger Records) is an irrepressible fusion of Afrobeat rhythms, tropi-pop synths and a catchy-like-crabs chorus.
What’s he been up to recently?

Seye’s just finished Damon Albarn’s Africa Express tour, on the final night of which he got the opportunity to perform with ol’ Macca! Seye says: ‘Africa Express alone was a massive blessing and the icing on an already awesome cake was I got to play with Sir Paul McCartney. In fact that’s like having another cake on top of the cake!’ Yum.