SEYE ADELEKAN
This instalment of Friends of Aubin come from the wonderful world of Walthamstow, a melting point of creatives, everyday families, market stalls and real life. This culturally rich and diverse area is the new abode of Seye Adelekan, a Nigerian British bassist and singer-songwriter (He’s also a multi-talented model, content creator and thoroughly nice person)
He is probably best known as the live bassist for Gorillaz, who he has been playing with since 2016. As we enter his studio his iconic green Eastwood Classic 4 Bass Guitar with personalised Gorillaz ephemera stands proudly in the corner. Seye knew Damon Albarn from past projects, so it was written in the stars that he would join this iconic virtual British band. As a band that a lot of the Aubin team grew up listening to, it feels pretty special to be allowed into his world.
His alter ego Murdoc Niccals, created by illustrator Jamie Hewlett is iconic. Seye describes himself as ‘Murdoc’s counterpart’ and interestingly music fans if you look at the way Ace (Part of The Powerpuff girls cartoon series – google it!) moves in the music video for Tranz, you’ll see a distinct resemblance to how Seye moves. (Ace was the temporary replacement bassist while Murdoc was imprisoned! It’s a long story which we won’t go into here)
The roll call of people he has played with is stand out, Self Esteem, KT Tunstall, Paloma Faith and La Roux to name drop just a few. With the Gorillaz chat done we revert to the title of this piece ‘Life is a Team sport”, if you look at Seye’s social media, you’ll see him say this a lot and this mantra really rings true when you meet him. He is refreshingly honest and positive about his life, rehab, addiction and sobriety, the struggles he has now and then. In his own words he wants to create an ecosystem of encouragement and give an example of where social media can be an enriching place. He uses his platform to shine a light on creatives and works that algorithm hard to enhance communication and connections.
Favourite fun facts that Saye recently shared on Insta, that he himself says don’t match his appearance.
“I’m addicted to hoof trimming videos, blacksmithing videos, cleaning old video game console videos, history videos and true crime professional interviews and I like football.
“You’re more likely to catch me listening to Kajagoogoo than Kendrick Lamar. I used to have an 80’s music radio show called The New Wave rave which was 2 hours a week of wall to wall 80’s tunes”
“I have a sweet tooth of a 6-yr old!”
“I was terribly shy and skinny and uncomfortable growing up. I was always the odd one out wherever we moved (I have lived in 4 countries
growing up)
This openness to shatter the preconceived ideas of what someone is like through image alone is really refreshing and breaks down those stereotypes beautifully.
Seye is now making his own music; he has just finished recording his EP and has released two songs from it. He talks passionately about how it feels good to be making music in London, it’s pretty much one of the best places in the world.
With our whistle stop tour of Walthamstow over, thanks to our tour guide Galih Richardson who shot Seye, we left with a skip in our step and a warm feeling like a cup a soup hug. Seye’s energy is infectious. Life is a team sport and the more we all work to this, it feels like we may be getting somewhere. Take a look at Seye’s social, he really is worth a follow.
