Nigerian Afro-pop star Yemi Alade has made a name for herself in African music, collaborating with global icons and breaking records. Despite featuring on Grammy-winning projects by Beyoncé and Angélique Kidjo, Alade has yet to win a solo Grammy. That could change on February 2, as her song “Tomorrow” is nominated for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards.
For Alade, this nomination is a deeply personal achievement.
“This time around it was for my own song, it was for my own crown,” she told CNN.
Alade’s rise to fame began in 2014 with “Johnny”, a song that became a continental hit. In 2019, it made her the first Nigerian female artist to reach 100 million views on YouTube. Over the years, she has recorded versions of the song in Portuguese, Swahili, and French, allowing her to connect with a broader audience.
She was inspired to embrace multiple languages after hearing francophone fans sing her songs word for word at her concerts. “I wanted to communicate, so I decided to make versions of my songs (in other languages). That’s how the love story with languages started off,” Alade explained.
Her latest album, “Rebel Queen,” continues this multilingual approach. The Recording Academy describes it as an album that “solidifies her reputation as ‘Mama Africa’”, a title previously associated with Miriam Makeba, the legendary South African singer.
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A Cultural and Musical Journey
Born in Abia State, Nigeria, to a Yoruba father and an Igbo mother, Alade grew up in Lagos, where she was exposed to different cultures. She and her friends listened to African American rap and made mix tapes, which influenced her musical direction.
Her album titles, from “King of Queens” to “Rebel Queen,” reflect her journey as a female artist navigating the male-dominated music industry.
“I needed to be my own superwoman. I think that spirit became what you see today,” she said.
Alade blends multiple genres, from R&B and pop to dancehall, highlife, and amapiano, and sings in English, French, Igbo, Yoruba, and Swahili. She considers her career a rich cultural journey.
“My love for Africa just genuinely grows. I do not do this with an agenda. When I travel, I see different cultures, I accept and appreciate them, from the food to the language to the way of life. In every country I go to, there’s something culturally appealing,” she said.
Collaborations with Music Legends
Alade has worked with some of the biggest names in global music.
She featured in Beyoncé’s 2020 visual album, “Black Is King”, and appeared on “The Lion King: The Gift” soundtrack.
Her latest album, “Rebel Queen,” features collaborations with Ziggy Marley on the song “Peace and Love” and Angélique Kidjo on “African Woman.”
Alade described working with Kidjo as both challenging and fulfilling.
“She is my musical mother,” she said, praising the Beninese-French singer for her guidance and inspiration.
Staying Independent in the Music Industry
Despite her growing success, Alade has chosen to remain independent. She has worked with the same management team for over a decade and continues to record under Effyzzie Music Group, rather than signing with a major label.
“Other labels have made offers, and we haven’t accepted—not because they’re not good enough.nBut if your goals are not in alignment with the goals that I’ve set for myself for over 10 years, then we should not be in the same boat,” she said.
She believes that a strong, dedicated team is more important than working with big record labels.
“If you have a team of two people, trust me, that’s all you need,” she added.
The Grammy Dream
With her first solo Grammy nomination, Alade’s career is reaching new heights. If “Tomorrow” wins on February 2, it will be a defining moment in her journey as an independent artist who has embraced African culture, languages, and music styles to connect with the world.
Win or lose, Yemi Alade has already proven that she is a force in African music—one who is determined to share her voice and heritage with a global audience.