By Olaniyi Aderuku
As far as the music industry is concerned, Yemi Eberechi Alade is an indispensable act who has continued to entertain her numerous fans with her deftly produced music. Apart from being the most celebrated female artiste in Nigeria, Yemi Alade has bridged Africa's cultural divides to become one of the continent's biggest stars.
The 1989-born Afropop songwriter and singer broke into limelight after winning the Peak Talent Show in 2009. Before the experience, Alade made her musical debut in an all-girl group called Naughty Spices in 2005. Her first single, Fimisile, was released under the Jus' Kiddin' label. Signed onto the music label, Effyzie Music Group, Yemi Alade in the last quarter of 2013 released her record breaking hit, Johnny, a song that dominated music charts in Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa and United Kingdom for long
Johnny which was produced by award-winning music producer, Selebobo, was a product of instrumental genius and has been listed as one of the best songs of 2013. In 2014, Alade teamed up with award-winning cinematographer to create the music video for Johnny which was released in March of the same year.
Yemi Alade goes by the appellation of the Queen of Afrobeats and without a doubt, she has been living up to the title with the kind of music she delivers. In an art that is predominantly a stage for the male folk in a community like ours, Alade, who started out as an artiste from humble beginnings has carved a niche for herself in the industry and from the obvious, one can say that she has no plan to rest on her last laurel.
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) graduate of Geography has been featured on the covers of several magazines and performed around the world, sharing the stage and songs with Maru J. Blige, Shina Peters, M.i, Wizkid, Becca, May D, Waje and Yemi Sax. She also headlined the Super Diva's Nite at the 2013 Calabar Festival, and open for the 2013 Headies Awards (popularly referred to as the 'Nigerian Grammys'). In 2014, Alade was featured on Yung6ix's track, 'Lights', as well as on a remixof 'Sebiwo' by Beninese afropop star, Lace.
Alade joined M.I, Waje, Timi Dakolo, and Burna Boy in singing the theme song for Port Harcourt, the UNESCO 2014 World Book Capital, as part of a project urging young people to read and stay in school. Shortly after that, Alade released a new single entitled 'Tangerine,' featuring Selebobo; the critically acclaimed track charted across Africa. She appeared as guest artist on Falz's debut album.
Often referred to as the Yoruba-Igbo girl, Alade bagged the Best Female Award category in the 2015 and 2016 MTV African Music Awards and she also has several nominations across various award platforms. Alade released her debut album, King of Queens, in October 2014. Her second studio album titled Mama Africa, was released in March 2016. Both albums by the music virtuoso recorded huge success across the shores of Africa. Currently, the Afrobeats Queen is the most viewed female on YouTube in Africa, with over 72 millions views at the last check; making her the second most viewed swiftly trailing behind Nigerian R&B duo, P-Square.
In a chat with the multiple award winning singer, here's what she ascribed her success to, "I am taking my music out of this planet earth if possible. Thankfully, my music has travelled across the globe; there are videos online from fans in Russia, Netherlands and Sweden to name a few. I look unstoppable because of God; God blesses not man; not forgetting my hardworking team and record label. When you have people who believe in you behind you, impossible is nothing."
She's the latest Airtel ambassador and a judge on the telecommunication network's singing challenge, The Voice Nigeria, replacing the legendary pop star, Tuface Idibia, upon Globacom's snatching.
As far as the music industry is concerned, Yemi Eberechi Alade is an indispensable act who has continued to entertain her numerous fans with her deftly produced music. Apart from being the most celebrated female artiste in Nigeria, Yemi Alade has bridged Africa's cultural divides to become one of the continent's biggest stars.
The 1989-born Afropop songwriter and singer broke into limelight after winning the Peak Talent Show in 2009. Before the experience, Alade made her musical debut in an all-girl group called Naughty Spices in 2005. Her first single, Fimisile, was released under the Jus' Kiddin' label. Signed onto the music label, Effyzie Music Group, Yemi Alade in the last quarter of 2013 released her record breaking hit, Johnny, a song that dominated music charts in Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa and United Kingdom for long
Johnny which was produced by award-winning music producer, Selebobo, was a product of instrumental genius and has been listed as one of the best songs of 2013. In 2014, Alade teamed up with award-winning cinematographer to create the music video for Johnny which was released in March of the same year.
Yemi Alade goes by the appellation of the Queen of Afrobeats and without a doubt, she has been living up to the title with the kind of music she delivers. In an art that is predominantly a stage for the male folk in a community like ours, Alade, who started out as an artiste from humble beginnings has carved a niche for herself in the industry and from the obvious, one can say that she has no plan to rest on her last laurel.
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) graduate of Geography has been featured on the covers of several magazines and performed around the world, sharing the stage and songs with Maru J. Blige, Shina Peters, M.i, Wizkid, Becca, May D, Waje and Yemi Sax. She also headlined the Super Diva's Nite at the 2013 Calabar Festival, and open for the 2013 Headies Awards (popularly referred to as the 'Nigerian Grammys'). In 2014, Alade was featured on Yung6ix's track, 'Lights', as well as on a remixof 'Sebiwo' by Beninese afropop star, Lace.
Alade joined M.I, Waje, Timi Dakolo, and Burna Boy in singing the theme song for Port Harcourt, the UNESCO 2014 World Book Capital, as part of a project urging young people to read and stay in school. Shortly after that, Alade released a new single entitled 'Tangerine,' featuring Selebobo; the critically acclaimed track charted across Africa. She appeared as guest artist on Falz's debut album.
Often referred to as the Yoruba-Igbo girl, Alade bagged the Best Female Award category in the 2015 and 2016 MTV African Music Awards and she also has several nominations across various award platforms. Alade released her debut album, King of Queens, in October 2014. Her second studio album titled Mama Africa, was released in March 2016. Both albums by the music virtuoso recorded huge success across the shores of Africa. Currently, the Afrobeats Queen is the most viewed female on YouTube in Africa, with over 72 millions views at the last check; making her the second most viewed swiftly trailing behind Nigerian R&B duo, P-Square.
In a chat with the multiple award winning singer, here's what she ascribed her success to, "I am taking my music out of this planet earth if possible. Thankfully, my music has travelled across the globe; there are videos online from fans in Russia, Netherlands and Sweden to name a few. I look unstoppable because of God; God blesses not man; not forgetting my hardworking team and record label. When you have people who believe in you behind you, impossible is nothing."
She's the latest Airtel ambassador and a judge on the telecommunication network's singing challenge, The Voice Nigeria, replacing the legendary pop star, Tuface Idibia, upon Globacom's snatching.