Yemi Alade

Yemi Eberechi Alade (born 13 March 1989), known professionally as Yemi Alade, is a Nigerian Afropop singer and songwriter. She won the Peak Talent Show in 2009, and had a hit with her single "Johnny" in 2014.[1][2][3] Her father was a police commissioner of Yoruba descent, while her mother is of Igbo descent.[4]

Yemi Alade
Yemi Alade in 2018
Background information
Birth nameYemi Eberechi Alade
Born (1989-03-13) March 13, 1989
Abia State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2005–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websiteyemialadeofficial.com

On June 9, 2020, Alade was mentioned to be among the fore front artists/musicians from across the world to perform at The Global Goal: Unite for our future sponsored by the Global Citizen aimed to tackled the Covid-19 especially in the most remote places in Africa and across the world.[5] On June 27, 2020, Yemi Alade performed in the Global Goal: Unite for Our future alongside Miley Cyrus, Shakira, J Balvin, Jennifer Hudson, Coldplay, Usher, Justin Bieber and Quavo, Christine and the Queens and Chloe X Halle.[6][7]

Music career

2014–2016: King of Queens and Mama Africa

Alade's debut studio album King of Queens was released on October 2, 2014. Alade collaborated with producers such as Selebobo, Sizzle Pro, Shady Bizniz, Philkeyz, Young D, GospelOnDeBeatz, DIL, OJB Jezreel, Mr Chidoo, Fliptyce, EL Mcee and Beat Nation. The album was preceded by the singles "Johnny", "Tangerine" and "Kissing". It features guest appearances and skits from Bovi, R2Bees, Phyno, Chidinma, DIL, Selebobo and Diamond Platnumz.[8] Alade promoted the album by touring several African countries, including Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.[9] The album's deluxe edition was released in November 2014; it contains French versions of songs originally performed in English. The cover art for the deluxe edition was unveiled on 21 October 2014.[10] According to the music platform A Nation of Billions, King of Queens sold over 100,000 copies.[11]

Alade's second studio album Mama Africa was released on March 25, 2016.[12] Alade disclosed its title was Mama Africa and said it would focus on the strengths and weaknesses of an African woman.[12] The album combines elements of Afropop, highlife, R&B, coupé-décalé, hip-hop and pop.[13][14] Alade said recording the album was a struggle because she was constantly traveling to different countries everyday.[14] She also said she recorded the album to "capture all of Africa on one CD".[14] Alade told The Fader magazine she collaborated with artists from West Africa, East Africa and South Africa.[14] She enlisted GospelOnDeBeatz, DJ Coublon, Selebobo, Philkeyz, BeatsByEmzo, Masterkraft, Rotimi Keys and Mr. Chidoo to produce the album.[15] Mama Africa features guest appearances from P-Square, Sarkodie, Sauti Sol, Flavour N'abania, Rotimi Keys, DJ Arafat and Selebobo.[15] It was made available for pre-order on iTunes a week before its official release.[16] Alade announced that proceeds from the sale of the album will go to the Feed a Child charity initiative.[15] The album's deluxe edition was released on April 6, 2016, and features collaborations with South African musicians Bucie and AKA.[17] Mama Africa charted in Germany, Malaysia and France.[18]

2017–2019: Black Magic and Woman of Steel

Alade's third studio album Black Magic was released on December 15, 2017.[19] A follow-up to her 2017 EP Mama Afrique, the album features guest appearances from Falz and Olamide.[20] Black Magic was made available for pre-order in November 2017.[21] Prior to disclosing the album's title, Alade posted the acronym BM on social media and wanted her fans to guess its meaning.[21] The album was produced by DJ Coublon, Vtek, Sarz, Krizbeatz, Young D, Sess, Fliptyce, IAmBeat, Philkeyz, 2Kriss and Echo.[22] It was supported by the previously released singles "Knack Am", "Single & Searching" and "Heart Robber". The album received generally negative reviews from music critics, who panned its lyrics and Alade's songwriting.[23][24] Prior to that, On May 9, 2017, Alade was announced as a coach in the second edition of The Voice Nigeria to replace 2baba who was a former coach on the live show. She coached on The Voice Nigeria (Season 2) alongside other Nigerian artists like Waje, Timi Dakolo and Patoranking.[25]

On December 1, 2017, Alade was featured on a campaign "Make The Future" by Shell Oil Company in Nigeria. She was also starred in the company's music video "On Top of the World" which also featured Jennifer Hudson, Pixie Lott, Luan Santana and Monali Thakur.[26]

In July 2019, Alade became the first African female artist to reach one million subscribers on YouTube.[27] Her song "Johnny" currently holds the YouTube record for the most watched African Female music video of all time.[28] Alade was featured on "Don't Jealous Me", a track from Beyoncé's soundtrack album The Lion King: The Gift. She appeared on the track alongside Mr Eazi and Tekno. Rolling Stone magazine revealed that Alade also recorded a verse for an earlier version of "My Power" in June.[29]

Alade released her fourth studio album Woman of Steel on August 30, 2019. Alade describes the album as a "buffet with different kinds of meals and drinks".[30] She named the album Woman of Steel to reflect her tough veneer to command the same degree of respect as her male counterparts.[31] Moreover, she derived the title after coming to the realization that she is her own superhero.[32] Musically, Woman of Steel is an Afrobeats record that incorporates elements of R&B and highlife.[33][34] The album primarily explores topics such as love, socio-politics and poverty.[33] Alade spent three years recording the album and said it would be released on August 30, 2019.[30] The album's cover art features Alade wearing a headcap inspired by the Nefertiti Bust artwork.[35] Artists featured on Woman of Steel include Rick Ross, Duncan Mighty, Angélique Kidjo and Funke Akindele.[36] In an interview with The Star newspaper, Alade said some of the songs that made the album were recorded the previous year while others were recorded in August.[30]

In September 2019, Alade signed a multi-year licensing deal with Universal Music Africa (UMA) and UMG France. UMA will serve as the exclusive worldwide record partner for Alade while UMG France will serve as the international rollout partner for all of her releases under the label.[37]

2020

Yemi Alade starred on Beyoncé's Black is King visual trailer and was announced to be featured in the movie set to be released and premiered on Disney+ on July 31, 2020, then premiered for African countries on DStv Mnet on August 1, 2020 [38]

On August 5, 2020, Yemi Alade released new single titled "True Love" produced by Vtek.[39] True Love by Yemi Alade is the second single from Yemi Alade's Fifth coming studio album.

Tours

Yemi Alade has gone on four world tours following her studio albums:

  • King of Queens Tour
  • Mama Africa Tour[40][41]
  • Black Magic Tour[42]
  • Woman of Steel Tour[43]

Discography

Albums
Title Details
King of Queens
Mama Africa
  • Released: 25 March 2016
  • Label: Effyzzie Music Group
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
Black Magic
  • Released: 15 December 2017
  • Label: Effyzzie Music Group
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
Woman of Steel
  • Released: 30 August 2019
  • Label: Effyzzie Music Group, Universal
  • Formats: Digital download, CD

Extended plays
Title Details
Mama Afrique
  • Released: 30 June 2017
  • Label: Effyzzie Music Group
  • Formats: Digital download

Selected singles
Title Year Album
"Fimisile" 2009 Non-album single
"Ghen Ghen Love" 2013
"Johnny" King of Queens
"Tangerine" 2014
"Kissing"
"Taking Over Me" 2015
"Temperature"
"Duro Timi"
"Na Gode" Mama Africa
"Do as I Do"
"Ferrari" 2016
"Kom Kom"
(featuring Flavour)
"Africa"
(featuring Sauti Sol)
"Tumbum"
"Knack Am" 2017 Black Magic
"Single and Searching"
"Heart Robber"
"Bum Bum" 2018
"Kpirim"
"Oh My Gosh" Non-album single
"Oga"
"How I Feel"
"Bounce" 2019
"Home" Woman of Steel
"Give Dem"
"Vibe"
"Shake"(featuring Duncan Mighty)
"Remind You" 2020
"Shekere"
(featuring Angélique Kidjo)

Promotional singles
Title Year Album
"Classic Girl Freestyle"
(Jidenna's "Classic Man" cover)		 2015 Non-album single
"Koffi Anan (Freestyle)"[44] 2016
"Want You"
"Get Through This"
(featuring Mi Casa)		 2017
"Issokay" 2018
"How I Feel"
"Number One"
"Open Close"
"Oh My Gosh"
"Bounce" 2019
"Boyz" 2020

Filmography
Year Title Role Director Ref
2019 Home (The Movie) Nneka Clarence Peters [45][46]
2020 Black is King Yemi Alade Beyoncé [38]

Awards and nominations

AFRIMA Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 "Kissing" Best Female Artiste in Western Africa Won
2018 "Herself" Best Female Artiste Won
2019 "Oh My Gosh" Best Female Artiste in Western Africa Nominated

MTV African Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 Herself Best Female [47] Won
2016 Herself Best Female [48] Won
2016 Herself Artiste of the Year Nominated

Independent Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2016 Mama Africa Best Album-World Beat Won

BET Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 Herself Best International Act: Africa [49] Nominated
2016 Herself Best International Act Nominated

Nigeria Entertainment Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014 Herself Female Artist of the Year[50] Nominated
2015 Herself Female artiste of the year Won

City People Entertainment Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014 Herself Female Musician of the Year [51] Nominated

MOBO Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014 Herself Best African Act[52] Nominated

YEM Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012 Herself Female Artiste of the Year[53] Nominated

ELOY Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013 Herself Most Promising Female[54] Nominated

WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2016 Want You African Video of the Year Nominated [55]
Best African Female Video Nominated [56]
Best West African Video Nominated [57]
Best Afro Pop Video Nominated [58]
Best African Dance Video Nominated [59]
Ferrari Best African Traditional Video Nominated [60]

The Headies
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2019 Herself Best Performer Won
2018 Won
2017 Best Performer Won
2016 Herself Artiste of the Year Nominated
2015 Herself Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year Won
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gollark: We need a port of ed, the standard editor, to CC.

See also

References
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  2. "Yemi Alade tours Kenya". vanguardngr.com. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  3. "My looks have helped my career –Yemi Alade". dailyindependentnig.com. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  4. "How Yemi Alade Hustled Her Way To Become The Queen Of Afrobeats". The FADER. Retrieved 2018-08-30.
  5. "Yemi Alade, Miley Cyrus, Shakira, others set for concert to tackle COVID-19". 2020-06-23. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  6. "Watch! Yemi Alade Wows With 'Shekere' Performance at 'Global Goal: Unite for Our Future'". Global Citizen. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  7. "Yemi Alade Performs 'Shekere' For 'Global Goal'". Billboard. 2020-06-27. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  8. "YEMI ALADE UNVEIL THE COVER OF HER DEBUT ALBUM "KING OF QUEENS"". TMZ Africa. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  9. Anozie, Egole (11 July 2014). "Yemi Alade tours Kenya". Vanguard. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  10. Ayomide, Tayo (21 October 2014). "Singer To Release 'King Of Queens' Deluxe Version". Pulse. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  11. Akua Ofei (10 May 2017). "HOW YEMI ALADE RUN THE WORLD". A Nation of Billions. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  12. "Singer to release 2nd album "Mama Africa", March 2016". Pulse Nigeria. October 28, 2015. Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  13. Adaobi Nezianya (6 August 2016). "Mama Africa by Yemi Alade". Circulation Magazine. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  14. Alex Macpherson (November 9, 2016). "How Yemi Alade Hustled Her Way To Become The Queen Of Afrobeats". The Fader. Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  15. Sakoh, Makale (25 March 2016). "Yemi Alade Releases Her Sophomore Album "Mama Africa"". Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  16. Solanke, Abiola (12 April 2016). "Mama Africa album available for pre-order". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  17. Solanke, Abiola (4 April 2016). "Singer set to release deluxe edition of her "Mama Africa" album". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  18. Akua Ofei (May 10, 2017). "How Yemi Alade Run the World". A Nation of Billions. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  19. "Singer releases third album "Black Magic"". Pulse Nigeria. 2017-12-15. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  20. "Yemi Alade's New Album 'Black Magic' Is Here". OkayAfrica. 2017-12-15. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
  21. Fisayo Okare (November 20, 2017). "Yemi Alade's Upcoming Third Studio Album "Black Magic" is now available for pre-order". Native. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
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  26. "Shell features Yemi Alade, Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson, others in new music video". www.shell.com.ng. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  27. "Yemi Alade Is the First African Female Artist To Get A Million Subscribers On YouTube". OkayAfrica. July 2, 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  28. "Top 10 Most Viewed African Music Videos on Youtube". Listwand. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  29. Elais Leight (19 July 2019). "Inside Beyoncé's Bold Bet to Get Americans to Listen to African Music". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  30. Elizabeth Musyimi (18 October 2019). "'Woman of Steel' up for Grammy's — Yemi Alade". The Star. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
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  35. Damola Durosomo (August 21, 2019). "Watch Yemi Alade's New Music Video for 'Give Dem'". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
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  38. editor (2020-07-24). "Yemi Alade Stars in Beyonce's 'Black is King'". THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved 2020-07-30.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  39. "New Single By Yemi Alade "True Love"". Kingsparo TV. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
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  43. TODAY (2019-10-29). "Yemi Alade kicks off "WOS" World Tour in Ethiopia — in pictures & video". TODAY. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  44. "New Music Yemi Alade – 'Koffi Anan' (Freestyle)". Pulse.ng. Amaka Inyese. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
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  46. "Finally! Yemi Alade Premieres Her Short Film, "Home"". eelive. 2019-09-10. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
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  48. "See the full list of MTV Africa Music Awards 2016 Winners!". Mtv Africa Music Awards 2016.
  49. "Best International Act: Africa". BET.com. 4 May 2015.
  50. "Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2014 Nominees List: Davido, Yemi Alade, Others Nominated". tooxclusive.com. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  51. "Who won what at City People Entertainment Awards 2014". thenet.ng. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  52. "MOBO Best African Act". MOBO Best African Act. mobo.com. 2014-09-24. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
  53. "YOUNG ENTERTAINERS AND MUSIC [YEM] AWARDS ANNOUNCES NOMINEES". July 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
  54. "All The Winners At The 2013 Exquisite Lady Of The Year (ELOY 2013) Awards". All The Winners At The 2013 Exquisite Lady Of The Year (ELOY 2013) Awards. 2013-11-26. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  55. "Checkout nominees for Watsup Tv Africa Music Video Awards". Ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
  56. "Yemi Alade, Wizkid, Diamond Platnumz, Cassper Nyovest & others Nominated for Watsup TV Africa Music Video Awards set to hold this December". Bellanaija.com. 2016-10-19. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
  57. "Yemi Alade, Shatta Wale nominated for 2016 WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards – Today Newspaper". Todaygh.com. 2016-10-05. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
  58. Nsabimana, Eddie (2016-10-10). "Rwanda: Knowles' Video Nominated At Watsup TV Africa Music Video Awards". Allafrica.com. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
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