Spotify has announced Afropop sensation Yemi Alade as the EQUAL Artist for September 2024.
Yemi Alade, popularly known as “Mama Africa” for her dedication to championing African culture and music, continues to make her mark on the global stage.
Her electrifying performances and powerful voice have captivated audiences across continents, earning her international recognition. She has collaborated with global superstars such as Beyoncé, Angélique Kidjo, and Awilo Longomba, showcasing the richness and beauty of African music.
“Spotify’s EQUAL Africa program is dedicated to empowering female voices in Africa, spotlighting artists who continue to push boundaries with their artistry,” said Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Yemi Alade exemplifies the calibre of talent the program aims to support. Spotify is proud to be associated with Yemi Alade and will continue to use the EQUAL Africa program to provide support for women in music, amplifying their voices and helping to showcase their incredible talents to a global audience.”
With a career spanning over a decade, Yemi Alade has established herself as one of the most prominent and influential female artists in the Nigerian music industry, earning a dedicated fanbase both at home and internationally.
In an exclusive interview, Yemi Alade shared insights about her journey and music:
What is one surprising thing your fans might not know about you?
“One surprising thing my fans don’t know about me is that despite this energy I exude, I’m actually an introvert. Some would say I’m an introvert who likes to go out just to eat food! How would we call that? A ‘food-trovert’ maybe?”
When did you realize that making music was your destiny, and what is your WHY for pursuing this craft?
“I’ve always loved music, but I realized that my voice had an effect on people, and I loved that effect because it meant I could connect with them even without touching them or speaking directly to them. It became a career after I won a talent show in 2010, and since then my life has been on the road chasing music and making music.”
Which African songs or artists did you grow up listening to?
“As a kid, I was really blessed to grow up in a big family with a wide age range, so I got the opportunity to listen to music that was even older than my age range. I fell in love with music from the likes of Sunny Adé King, Shina Peters, Onyeka Onwenu, and Christy Essien. There’s a long list of African artists I was listening to at a very young age, and that really opened my palette to the huge range of music that we have.”
To someone who has never heard your music, how would you describe the sound, tone, and style?
“My music is a perfect blend of high-life pop, R’n’B, and Afrobeat. It’s a beautiful blend that’s inspired by a bit of jazz or blues here and there. If you listen closely, you’ll pick up the tones. I don’t like to be in a box, but I know that my music is a fusion of African sounds, and the core of my music is African rhythm.”
Any advice for someone dreading following their dreams?
“The beautiful thing about dreams is that you envision them in your sleep, but the crazy part is that you have to dream while awake to achieve them. It is an unending journey, so if you dread following your dreams, then maybe that dream is not yours. You need to go back to bed and dream another dream because it’s not going to work. That’s what I would say.”
