Biography
Who is Yemi Alade?
Early life and education
Yemi Eberechi Alade was born in Nigeria. Her father, James Alade, served as a police commissioner from Ondo State. Her mother, Helen Uzoma, is a native of Abia State. Growing up in a multi-ethnic household, Yemi Alade often draws influence from both her Igbo and Yoruba heritage.
She completed her secondary education at Victory Grammar School in Ikeja, Lagos State. Afterward, she attended the University of Lagos. During her time at the university, she participated in a television talent competition called the Peak Talent Show. She emerged as the winner of this contest, which served as her debut television appearance and helped her gain early popularity.
Career beginnings and breakthrough
Following her win on the Peak Talent Show in 2009, she signed with the Effyzzie Music Group. Her debut studio album, King of Queens, arrived on October 2, 2014. This project included popular tracks such as Tangerine and Kissing. The album was supported by tours across several African nations, including Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa.
The single Johnny, released in 2014, became a major success and remains one of her most recognized songs. In 2016, she made an appearance on the Billboard Next Big Sound Chart, debuting at number four. Her consistent output of music and live performances helped establish her presence in the African music scene.
Major albums and accolades
Yemi Alade released her second studio album, Mama Africa, on March 25, 2016. She designed the album to highlight the experiences of African women and collaborated with artists from West, East, and South Africa. The project earned her the World Beat Album award at the 2016 Independent Music Awards. Proceeds from the album sales supported the Feed a Child charity initiative.
She has received numerous nominations and awards throughout her career. She won the Best Female category at the MTV African Music Awards in 2015 and 2016 consecutively. Also, she secured The Headies Award for Best Performer in 2018 and 2019. She was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance for her song Tomorrow, which appeared on her sixth studio album, Rebel Queen.
International reach and collaborations
Her influence extends across borders, as she records music in English, Pidgin, Yoruba, Igbo, French, Swahili, and Portuguese. In 2019, she released her fourth studio album titled Woman of Steel. This record featured collaborations with international artists like Rick Ross and Angélique Kidjo. She also appeared on the track Don't Jealous Me for Beyoncé's soundtrack album, The Lion King: The Gift.
She maintains a significant digital presence and was the first African female artist to reach one million subscribers on YouTube. In September 2019, she signed a multi-year licensing agreement with Universal Music Africa and UMG France. She has also served as a brand ambassador for various companies, including Hollandia Yoghurt, Shell, Glo, and Maybelline.
Birthday and age
Yemi Alade was born on March 13, 1989, which makes Yemi 37 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. Yemi shares the date with 60 other famous people.
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