At this point of my career, I want to continue to grow the brand…..Yemi Alade Nigeria has so many great voices that deserve to heard-Yemi Alade Nigerian Afro-pop singer, Yemi Eberechi Alade is one of the most relevant and busiest female singer in the entertainment industry after carving a niche for music shortly after her hit single Johnny became a national anthem.
Not resting on an oars, Mama Africa as she is called has grown to become of the most sought after female vocalist clinching several laurels.
Yemi is so much obsessed with fashion and been glam. In the chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Mama Africa as she is now called speaks on her career, why should would rather perform with a band than CDs, her signature style, and what her future man should possess. Enjoy:
You have indeed conquered Africa and captured the world with your music. How do you feel?
I feel like the way I feel when I just started; if not more pressured to do more. The work load and rate has increased drastically, it is more exhausting and tougher than before but nonetheless I am extremely grateful for the journey thus far. African music is capturing the world, I am it an exciting time to be doing music. You just rounded up your UK & US tour; what was the experience like? Yes ooo!! The Mama Africa/King of Queens World Tour was in support of my two studio albums. The first leg kicked off at the Le Trianon, Paris and we were in the United States in June where I visited numerous cities across the globe with my band and dancers and be giving a piece of me at each stop, I am ecstatically happy about the tour; thus thanking everyone that was part of the success recorded at the end of the day.
Your EP dropped somethings few months back; what experience did you seek to create for your fan’s listening?
The Mama Afrique extended play is a continuation of the Mama Africa album. So the Continental pop music in the EP should be expected, as well as lingual twists, soaring ballads and more.
What were some of the challenges while recording the body of work?
Finding time to record; in between concerts, shoot, travelling, media appearances and more. It is a constant struggle but at the end we I give thank God Almighty.
Any particular favourite songs on the EP?
Nakupenda is a favourite, but I love everything. The fans love Gucci Ferragamo, Want You, yet Charilee is causing a major uproar. You are currently shooting 12 videos for all songs on the EP.
What is the rationale behind this?
The fans! They deserve more and I am not stopping at giving them the best video shoot. You were also on the Voice Nigeria as a Coach/Judge.
What experience has this created for you?
It is an experience I would not trade. I won a talent show years back, and it is safe to say that the platform launched my musical career, so coaching talents and helping them do the same was a dream come true. The level of talent and voices I have the privileged to work with on the show was very high, and it a good thing. Nigeria has so many great voices that deserve to heard if given the opportunity. Also been on the platform also, I have also learnt a few things from the contestants as they all are distinctive in their own genre of music.
You are an energetic performer; would rather do live band performance or perform to CDs?
Performing live is the proper and normal thing for artistes to do. International artistes do this, it is not to prove anything, and it is to give the fans the best. They pay to come and get a performance, if they wanted to listen to my CD, they might as well stream or buy the music and listen to it in the comfort of their homes. When people dress up and pay to come watch you, be respectful and try to out on a show by all means necessary. I agree there are some scenarios that you have no other option than to perform without a band, if that arise; artistes should either decline perform or perform over a performance track, not over the actual song. The world is watching Africa, so we must arise to the occasion.
You were involved in a Shell project recently. Tell us about it?
The Shell project was a global one, tagged #MakeTheFuture. Different artistes where selected to represent different continents, and I was picked for Africa, so I worked with Jennifer Hudson, Steve Aoki, Pixie Lott, Tan WeiWei and Luan Santana, on a theme song “Best Day of My Life”. The campaign aims to inspire youths and entrepreneurs for bright energy ideas that can help in the global quest for more and cleaner energy.
As an artiste as experienced as you are, what limitations would you say hamper the Nigerian entertainment industry as a whole today?
Structure is a major limitation, if a solid structure is put in place, many other things would fall in line.
After this EP, what is next for you?
To keep touring and a third studio album hopefully!
Tell us something not many know about you?
I am fantastic cook.
Inspiration behind your hair styles?
The essence of the African woman basically.
Is Yemi Alade single and what qualities would your ideal man possess?
No, I am married to music. Haha, but my ideal man must be God fearing among other things.
Most prized bodily asset?
Hmmmmmm… My voice, my eyes, my mouth… I love my full body abeg!
Your signature and style is unique, where do you get your inspiration from?
It’s usually not planned but when it comes to my style, whenever I see something African, I like it, but most times I create my hairstyles especially. But for my videos, I sketch my outfits and bring it to life. But I’m basically inspired by my environment, even when I got to South Africa and Kenya, I am inspired by their rich beads
You are arguably one of the busiest female musicians in the country. How do you get to unwind?
I am hardly at home. So whenever I get the opportunity and time to stay at home, I try to rest, eat good food
How did you venture into music?
It all started in 2009 when I won the peak talent show and that was when it became more serious and I decided to make my hobby into a career. I got my first record deal in 2011 and since then, it has been from grace to grace. You most embarrassing moment on stage. I tried to do a split on stage and next thing, my outfit tore and my shorts did a full split
How did you manage the situation?
I just waka slowly comot for stage, no one knew anything. I stood up gracefully and left
