Yemi Alade facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yemi Alade
Alade in 2024
Born	Yemi Eberechi Alade (1989-03-13) 13 March 1989 (age 36) Abia State, Nigeria
Alma mater	University of Lagos
Occupation	Singer songwriter
Musical career
Born	Ondo State, Nigeria
Genres	Afropop R&B world
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2005–present
Labels	Effyzzie Music Group Rebel Movement Universal Music Africa

Yemi Eberechi Alade (born on March 13, 1989), known as Yemi Alade, is a famous Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress. Her music mixes different styles like Afropop, highlife, and R&B. She is very popular in many African countries. Yemi Alade sings in several languages, including English, Igbo, Pidgin, Yoruba, French, Swahili, and Portuguese.

Yemi Alade became well-known after winning the Peak Talent Show in 2009. She then signed with Effyzzie Music Group. Her song "Johnny" became a huge hit in 2014. After releasing her albums King of Queens and Mama Africa, she went on many world tours.

In 2015 and 2016, she won the MTV African Music Awards for Best Female Artist. She was also nominated for Artist of the Year in 2015. This made her the first female artist to win the MAMAs Best Female award twice in a row. Yemi Alade was also the first African female artist to be nominated for the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) in 2015. She also received nominations for the BET Awards in 2015 and 2016. People love her amazing stage performances, unique fashion, and creative music videos. She has won The Headies Award for Best Performer twice.

Yemi Alade is also the second Nigerian and Afrobeats artist to get 100 million views for one music video on YouTube. Her song "Tomorrow" from her album Rebel Queen was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2025.

Early Life and First Steps in Music

Yemi Alade grew up in a family with different backgrounds in Nigeria. Her father, James Alade, was a police commissioner from Ondo State. Her mother, Helen Uzoma, is from Abia State. Yemi says she gets her inspiration from both her parents' cultures, Igbo and Yoruba.

She went to Victory Grammar School in Ikeja and the University of Lagos in Lagos, Nigeria. While at university, Yemi took part in the Peak Talent Show on TV. She won the show, which was her first time on television. This helped her become popular and led to her signing with Effyzzie Music Group.

Yemi Alade performing in the Peak Talent Show, 2009

Music Career Highlights

Early Albums: King of Queens and Mama Africa (2014–2016)

Yemi Alade released her first album, King of Queens, on October 2, 2014. This album included her hit song "Johnny". She worked with many producers and featured other artists like Phyno and Diamond Platnumz. To promote the album, Yemi toured several African countries. A special version of the album with French songs was released later. King of Queens sold over 100,000 copies and was nominated for Album of the Year awards.

Yemi Alade and Runtown at the Mama Africa album listening party in London

Her second album, Mama Africa, came out on March 25, 2016. Yemi said the album was about the strengths and weaknesses of African women. It mixed Afropop, highlife, R&B, and pop music. She worked with artists from different parts of Africa, like P-Square and Sarkodie. Yemi announced that money from the album sales would go to the Feed a Child charity. Mama Africa won the World Beat Album award at the 2016 Independent Music Awards.

New Music and Global Recognition (2017–2019)

Yemi Alade's third album, Black Magic, was released on December 15, 2017. It featured artists like Falz and Olamide. Before the album came out, Yemi was announced as a coach for The Voice Nigeria (Season 2). She coached alongside other Nigerian artists like Waje and Patoranking.

In 2017, Yemi Alade was part of a campaign called "Make The Future" by Shell Oil Company. She appeared in their music video "On Top of the World" with international stars like Jennifer Hudson.

In April 2019, Yemi Alade's "Oh My Gosh" remix with Rick Ross got one million views on YouTube in just one day. This made it one of the fastest-viewed African music videos by a female artist. In July 2019, she became the first African female artist to reach one million subscribers on YouTube. Her song "Johnny" is still the most-watched African female music video on YouTube. Yemi was also featured on "Don't Jealous Me" from Beyoncé's album The Lion King: The Gift.

Yemi Alade performing in Sydney during her Woman of Steel tour

Her fourth album, Woman of Steel, was released on August 30, 2019. Yemi described it as a "buffet with different kinds of meals." She named it Woman of Steel to show her strength and to get the same respect as male artists. The album featured Rick Ross, Duncan Mighty, and Angélique Kidjo. In September 2019, Yemi signed a big deal with Universal Music Africa. She also partnered with many brands like Glo and Maybelline.

Recent Successes: Empress and Grammy Nominations (2020-Present)

In 2020, Yemi Alade became a brand ambassador for Hollandia Yoghurt. She also appeared in Beyoncé's visual film Black Is King, which premiered on Disney+.

Yemi performed at "The Global Goal: Unite for Our Future" concert in June 2020. This event aimed to help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. She performed alongside global stars like Miley Cyrus and Shakira. In August 2020, she returned as a coach for The Voice Nigeria Season 3.

On November 20, 2020, Yemi released her fifth album, Empress. It had 15 songs and featured artists like Estelle and Patoranking. The album was well-received and had many hit songs. In 2021, she released her EP Queendoncom, and in 2022, African Baddie.

In 2022, Yemi Alade received a Grammy nomination for her song "Dignity" with Angélique Kidjo. She also got a Grammy certificate for her work on Angelique Kidjo's Mother Nature album. Yemi is also the first Afrobeats artist to get a Latin Grammy nomination for her song "Cónexion Total" with Bomba Estéreo. In 2022, she was named "The Best Stage Performer in Nigeria."

In October 2023, Yemi Alade was featured on "Akwaba," the official theme song for the 2023 AFCON football tournament. She performed the song at the opening ceremony in January 2024, receiving great reviews for her performance. Later in 2023, she released an EP called Mamapiano.

On November 8, 2024, Yemi Alade was nominated for a Grammy Award at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. Her song "Tomorrow" from her Rebel Queen album was nominated for Best African Music Performance.

Advocacy and Charity Work

Yemi Alade has used her platform to support important causes.

In November 2018, she visited her old secondary school, Victory Grammar School. Through her Helen and James Pathway Foundation, she helped students with poor eyesight get equipment to see better.

Yemi Alade performs at the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25, 2019

In November 2019, Yemi performed at The Nairobi Summit for a movement called "A Global Call to Action." This movement helps children with disabilities in Kenya.

In 2020, Yemi joined the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to speak about protecting and helping poor people in Africa affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. She also joined the "Stand Together against Covid-19" campaign with other African artists.

On September 23, 2020, Yemi Alade became a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). She promised to focus on important goals like reducing inequality, empowering women, and raising awareness about climate change. She has continued to work on these goals through various programs and events.

Yemi Alade with Prince William, then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

In October 2021, Yemi Alade performed at the first Earthshot Prize ceremony in London. This event, hosted by the Royal family, gives awards to people who help the environment. Yemi performed her song "Rain," which the Royal family personally chose for the event.

In March 2022, Yemi became a global ambassador for the "It's Up To Us" campaign. This campaign, with the Africa Centre For Disease Control and the MasterCard Foundation, encourages Africans to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Influence and Legacy

Many artists, including Tems, Ayra Starr, and Busiswa, have said that Yemi Alade is an inspiration and a role model for them.

Discography

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Awards

MTV Africa Music Awards

The Headies

Tours

Yemi Alade has gone on five world tours for her albums:

Yemi Alade performing for 50,000 fans in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

• King of Queens Tour
• Mama Africa Tour
• Black Magic Tour
• Woman of Steel Tour
• Empress Tour

See also

In Spanish: Yemi Alade para niños

• List of Nigerian musicians