Nigerian singer Yemi Alade has opened up about her multilingual approach to music and her recent Grammy nomination, describing it as a testament to persistence and breaking boundaries.
In a recent interview with CNN, the singer revealed that her decision to incorporate various languages into her songs stemmed from the global reception of her hit single, ‘Johnny’, particularly in Paris. The song’s international success inspired her to connect with her diverse audience by singing in their native tongues.
“Paris is one of the cities that opened its borders to my music, and I fell in love with French even more,” Alade said. “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.”
Alade’s creative decision has since become a hallmark of her artistry, earning her fans from across the globe and establishing her as one of Africa’s most versatile musicians.
Reflecting on her 2025 Grammy nomination, Yemi Alade described the recognition as a surreal experience and a milestone in her career. She was nominated in the ‘Best African Music Performance’ category for her song ‘Tomorrow.’
“Being nominated for a Grammy feels so surreal. It’s a good time to be alive,” she said. “I almost thought this moment might never come. I felt seen, and it reassured me that anybody out there can become anything. You just have to believe and not stop even if the world wants you to.”
