In the interview with ace broadcaster Abass Tijani, Sodimu revealed that he took voice lessons and re-recorded ‘Love Me Jeje’ after being told by international marketers in New York that the song was difficult to publicize in America.
According to him, the marketers acknowledged that the song “looked American, but I sounded African”. He said despite the initial setback, the song became a massive hit in Nigeria.
“I had to take voice lessons. I learnt how to sing and I just went to the studios. That was when I recorded ‘Love Me Jeje’. I did not release it for about two years because I tried marketing New York. I wanted a lot of record companies, major labels. But the problem they told me in marketing was it looked American but I sounded African,” he said.
“After I took it to Nigeria, I think great power just take it up there. Before I left Nigeria, any wedding I go to that was the mainstream music there. It is a blessing. I could not have written the script if I wanted to.”
Two decades later, Nigerian singer Tems sampled Love Me Jeje’ and released her version, which received widespread critical acclaim.
Tems’ rendition earned her the Best African Music Performance award at the 67th Grammy Awards, marking her second Grammy win.
In her acceptance speech, Tems dedicated the award to her mother and thanked Sodimu for his support during the production of the song.
The singer also took to her X page to express her gratitude, calling ‘Love Me Jeje’ a “timeless classic”. She appreciated Sodimu for allowing her to sample his song, stating that the Grammy Award win has brought the original song “back to life” and that it’s finally “getting its flowers”.
“I just want to thank the wonderful @seyimusic for his role in the support and clearing of his OG song Love me jeje. It’s brought the original song back to life for me and I’m glad that it’s getting it’s flowers today. A timeless classic,” she wrote.
“I appreciate you so much. Thank you for your love and support.” She wrote.
Love Me Jeje, originally released in 1997, reportedly remains one of Nigeria’s most cherished love songs, and its revival through Tems’ work has reignited interest in the classic hit.
