Early life
Yemi Eberechi Alade, known professionally as Yemi Alade, was born on 13 March 1989 in Nigeria. She was raised in a multi-ethnic family, with her father, James Alade, a commissioner of police from Ondo State, and her mother, Helen Uzoma, a native of Abia State.
Alade draws from both her Igbo and Yoruba heritage, which has influenced her musical style. She attended Victory Grammar School in Ikeja before studying at the University of Lagos, where her talent blossomed. During her university years, Alade competed in the Peak Talent Show, winning the competition and gaining public recognition.
Career
Yemi Alade rose to fame after winning the Peak Talent Show in 2009, which led to her signing with Effyzzie Music Group. Her breakthrough single “Johnny,” released in 2014, became a massive hit and catapulted her into the limelight. She went on to release successful albums such as King of Queens (2014), Mama Africa (2016), and Black Magic (2017). Her music blends Afropop, highlife, R&B, and dancehall, with themes of empowerment, culture, and social issues.
Alade’s international recognition soared when she became the first African female artist to receive consecutive MTV African Music Awards for Best Female in 2015 and 2016. She also made history as the first Afrobeat artist to reach 100 million views on YouTube with her single “Johnny.”
Her debut studio album, King of Queens, received critical acclaim, with tracks like “Tangerine” and “Kissing” gaining popularity. Alade’s second album, Mama Africa, further cemented her status as a global star and was noted for its focus on the strengths and challenges of African women. The album charted in multiple countries and featured collaborations with major African artists like P-Square and Sarkodie.
Alade’s third album, Black Magic, released in 2017, was supported by singles like “Knack Am” and “Heart Robber.” Although the album received mixed reviews, Alade continued to expand her global presence. Her remix of “Oh My Gosh” featuring Rick Ross gained over a million views in just one day.
In 2020, Alade released her fifth studio album, Empress, which received positive reviews and featured collaborations with international artists like Estelle and Patoranking. The album’s success marked a milestone in her career as it included several singles and collaborations.
In 2023, Alade collaborated with Magic System and Mohamed Ramadan on the AFCON 2023 theme song, “Akwaba.” Later that year, she released Mamapiano, an Amapiano-inspired EP that includes collaborations with the duo Ajebo Hustlers. She also performed “Akwaba” at the 2023 African Cup of Nations opening ceremony in Abidjan, receiving rave reviews for her performance.
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