My real name is Seun Oni but people call me SAEON. I had always known that I was going to do music .When I was in SSS 1, a friend and I started thinking of the names that I could go by. I wanted something that would sound like Seun and we picked out different letters from all of my names- S-Seun, O- Omolara, E-Eva and ON-Oni. I studied International Studies and History at Babcock University and International Relations with focus on terrorism and counter terrorism at Warwick University, United Kingdom for my postgraduate.

Journey to music

Growing up, I had music around me. My father has a lovely voice, he sings but he never took it as a career. I grew up listening to a lot of artistes and I started writing songs when I was 13. I felt it in my spirit and I started writing for myself. My parents have always been aware of my love for music. When I was done studying at school, I decided to face music full-time.

No album yet

I went professional in 2012 but I have been putting out music since 2009 to pave the way for me. I don’t have an album yet because if you understand the norm in Nigeria, you are expected to be known all over and have a hit single before you can put out an album. I just released a single, ‘Boogie down’ featuring Wizkid.  I am not with any music label. I have been funding my career by myself and with the help of my parents. I don’t think I want to join a label and have to wait on the line. Any record label that wants me to put pen to paper must be able to bring to the table much more than I can as an independent artiste.

Challenges

Most of the endorsement deals go to artistes who are already made. I am still in the process of registering my presence in the subconscious of fans. I don’t like to tie anything to gender. I feel that it is hard for anybody whether male or female. I have resolved to keep going and hustling because I love what I am doing.

Competition is good

Competition is healthy; it makes you want to grow. I am carving a niche and creating a brand. When I first came into the industry, some people said that I sounded like Tiwa Savage even though I did not see the semblance. I took it as a compliment but I need people to understand that Saeon is Saeon.

Music can be rewarding

It gets more financially rewarding as you grow. As people get to know you, you get more shows, though as an up and coming artiste, you get to do some shows for free but that can still be counted as experience so you are not losing out in any way.

Relationship with Uti Nwachukwu

I don’t like to put my personal business out there. I have known Uti for a while and he was in my only video. I met him prior to shooting the video because he helped me to bring some of the things I used in the video from England. We started talking, hanging out and then this. We are in love and he is a very honest person and also genuine. People would always say things about him which obviously are not true but that would not stop him from being him. He is God-fearing, very funny and of course, good-looking. This affair is no publicity stunt; even though I know Uti is a big brand and I am only an emerging brand.

Relaxation

I like to work-out a lot. I am very big on abs so I do a lot of training in the gym with my trainer. I watch a lot of series and listen to music. Truth is, you would not even see me when I am not working because everything I need to be comfortable is available indoors.

Style

My style is sexy — tomboy. People may say I have a sexy body but I don’t think I necessarily ooze sex appeal. Sometimes, you will see me expose my midriff and sometimes, I project the tomboy nature in me.