Yemi Alade: I am a true rebel

Yemi Alade: I am a true rebel (Photo: iStock)

It was a long-awaited album for Afro-pop lovers and, even more, for Yemi Alade fans.

"Rebel Queen album is out now, my tenth bodywork and seventh studio album. A massive thank you to everyone who made this project a reality," the celebrated Nigerian star said via her social media pages.

"Producers, all the creatives and directors... Thank you Jehovah," she said.

Yemi Alade, hailed as the Queen of Afro-Pop, has become a force in the global music scene. Born Yemi Eberechi Alade on 13 March, 1989 in Nigeria, she has risen to international acclaim.

She has in her arsenal formidable talent, warm personality, impeccable fashion and bold stage presence.

Yemi Alade's breakthrough came in 2009 when she won the Peak Talent Show, a reality TV competition. This led to a recording contract with Effyzzie Music Group.

Her debut single 'Johnny', released in 2014, made her the first African female Afro-pop star to receive over 165 million views on YouTube and Vevo. The song catapulted her to stardom and earned her a huge, loyal fan base. It also became one of the biggest Afrobeats songs globally.

Yemi Alade's influence extends beyond Africa, effortlessly fitting into different musical styles and cultures.

She has collaborated with international artistes such as Beyoncé in 'Don't Jealous Me' for 'The Lion King: The Gift' album, Angélique Kidjo in 'Shekere' and Rick Ross in the 'Oh My Gosh' remix. 

Since releasing her debut album 'King of Queens' in 2014, she's released nine more projects - four of which were EPs - and her latest 16-track album 'Rebel Queen'.

"To be a rebel is to take the path less travelled. To rebel is to continually be true to yourself, even when your personal choices are not regarded as popular opinion," she says.

The album's second lead single, 'Peace and Love', featuring eight-time Grammy-winning Jamaican musician Ziggy Marley, is a powerful reggae-infused duet. It is a call for peace and love in Africa and an appeal to choose compassion over violence, corruption and other societal ills.

'Baddie Remix' features Kenya's own Femi One and Konshens - one of the biggest names in Dancehall music. It's a remix that completes the record's transcontinental appeal.

The track 'African Woman' by Yemi and Angelique Kidjo marks their third collaboration, after Yemi's rendition of Angelique's 'Wombo Lombo' in 'Shekere' and Angelique's 'Dignity' from her Grammy-winning album 'Mother Nature' in 2021.

'African Woman' represents their powerful combination, this time celebrating African women.

Ghana's KiDi features on 'Medaase', whose translation of 'Thank You' ironically reflects the lovelorn feeling embodied in the mid-tempo record. The final collaboration is with Innoss'B on 'Lipeka', a catchy and infectious Afro dance track. 

Yemi Alade's multilingualism shines through on the album as she sings in Yoruba, English, Igbo, French and Swahili - an ode to her signature cross-cultural approach to music.

She kicked off 2024 with a bang, performing at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

She has already joined her fans and industry stakeholders to celebrate the album at release parties around the world in Paris, London, New York and Lagos. She's currently planning her Nairobi listening party.

Yemi Alade has redefined what it means to be an African artist in the global music industry, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations. Her album 'Rebel Queen' also speaks to Yemi's bold spirit and international domination.

"I have always charted my course and walked the path less travelled. A lot of albums tend to be monotonous in terms of genre and style and it bores me easily most of the time. This album has something new, old and borrowed. Every song is unique and a capsule of my thoughts, melodies and a truckload of nostalgia," she says.

As she continues to evolve as an artiste, her influence and impact show no signs of slowing down. She remains at the forefront of the Afro-pop movement, loved for her electrifying live performances.

Beyond acting, music and fashion, Yemi is a vocal advocate for women empowerment and social justice. She is also involved in various charitable initiatives and advocacy campaigns.

In 2020, she became a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, adding to a long list of responsibilities that includes her charity, the James and Helen PathWay Foundation.