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Yemi Alade – Mama Africa

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Yemi Eberechi Alade (born 13 March 1989), simply known as Yemi Alade, is a Nigerian Afropop singer and songwriter. She gained prominence after winning the Peak Talent Show in 2009, and is best known for her hit single “Johnny”.

Early life

Yemi Eberechi Alade was born on March 13, 1989 in Abia State, Nigeria. Her father, James Alade – a Police Commissioner – is of Yoruba origin while her mother Helen Uzoma is of Igbo origin resulting in her being referred to as “Yoruba-Igbo girl”. She’s from Ondo State,South West, Nigeria. Alade is the fifth out of the seven children in her family. She attended St Saviour British Primary School, then went on to Victory Grammar School in Lagos, before obtaining a degree in Geography at the University of Lagos.

Music career

2014–present: King of Queens and Mama Africa

Yemi Alade’s debut studio album King of Queens was released on October 2, 2014, by Effyzzie Music Group. 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 three singles: “Johnny”, “Tangerine” and “Kissing”. It features guest appearances and skits from Bovi, R2Bees, Phyno, Chidinma, DIL, Selebobo and Diamond Platnumz. Alade promoted the album by touring several African countries, including Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. The deluxe edition of King of Queens was released in November 2014, and contains French versions of songs originally performed in English. Its cover art was unveiled on 21 October 2014. According to the music platform A Nation of Billions, King of Queens sold over 100,000 copies.

Alade’s second studio album Mama Africa was released on March 25, 2016, by Effyzzie Music Group. The album is the follow-up to her debut studio album King of Queens (2014). It features guest appearances from P-Square, Sarkodie, Sauti Sol, Flavour N’abania, Rotimi Keys, DJ Arafat and Selebobo. The album was produced by GospelOnDeBeatz, DJ Coublon, Selebobo, Philkeyz, BeatsByEmzo, Masterkraft, Rotimi Keys and Mr. Chidoo. It was supported by six singles: “Na Gode”, “Do As I Do”, “Ferrari”, “Kom Kom”, “Africa” and “Tumbum”. Mama Africa was made available for pre-order on iTunes a week before its official release. Yemi Alade announced that proceeds from the sale of the album will go to the Feed a Child charity initiative. The deluxe edition of the album was released on April 6, 2016, and features guest vocals from South African musicians Bucie and AKA.

Discography

Albums

Title Details
King of Queens
  • Released: 2 October 2014
  • Label: Effyzzie Music Group
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
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

Extended plays

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

Singles

Title Year Album
“Fimisile” 2009 Non-album singles
“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”

Promotional singles

Title Year Album
“Classic Girl Freestyle”
(Jidenna’s “Classic Man” cover)
2015 Non-album singles
“Koffi Anan (Freestyle)” 2016
“Want You”
“Get Through This”
(featuring Mi Casa)
2017
“Bum Bum” 2018
“How I Feel”
“Oh My Gosh”
“Yaji”
(featuring Slimcase)
2019

Awards and nominations

WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards

 
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2016 Want You African Video of the Year Nominated
Best African Female Video Nominated
Best West African Video Nominated
Best Afro Pop Video Nominated
Best African Dance Video Nominated
Ferrari Best African Traditional Video Nominated

MTV African Music Awards

 
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 Herself Best Female Won
2016 Herself Best Female Won

BET Awards

 
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 Herself Best International Act: Africa Nominated

Nigeria Entertainment Awards

 
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014 Herself Female Artist of the Year Nominated

City People Entertainment Awards

 
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014 Herself Female Musician of the Year Nominated

MOBO Awards

 
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014 Herself Best African Act Nominated

YEM Awards

 
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012 Herself Female Artiste of the Year Nominated

ELOY Awards

 
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013 Herself Most Promising Female Nominated
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