Nigerian Afropop singer Yemi Alade has released her seventh studio album, It’s Yemi Alade, a 16-track project issued through Effyzzie Music.
The album takes its title from a suggestion made by Alade’s fans after she asked them online to propose names for the project.
“For the first time ever, I decided to randomly seek the help of my fans. I put the question out online and asked them what they thought my next album should be called,” she said.
“The response was overwhelming. I received so many suggestions, but one title kept coming up again and again: It’s Yemi Alade. So, in many ways, this is a fan-picked album title, even though it is also self-named.”
The album draws from several African and contemporary genres, including Highlife, Afrobeats, R&B, Lingala, Dancehall and Afro House.
Alade said the project was shaped by her musical roots as well as her interest in experimenting with different sounds.
“It is an ode to my Highlife roots, a celebration of where I come from, and an exploration of where I am going. The album is a mixture of new, old, and borrowed sounds. I wanted to experiment, to explore different textures and bring together genres and influences that feel both familiar and unexpected. This mixology of sounds is not simply about redefining Highlife. It is about elevating it, introducing it to new spaces while still honouring the spirit and foundation that made me fall in love with it in the first place.”
The album features artists from several African music markets, including Kenya’s Bien, Njerae and Sofiya Nzau; Nigeria’s Spyro, Don Jazzy and Jeriq; French artist Singuila; and Congolese singer Ferre Gola.
Its songs cover themes including love, celebration, resilience, identity, spirituality, culture and everyday life.
Among the tracks are “Owa,” “Minister of Enjoyment,” “Earth Song,” “Titanium” and “Paradise.” The album also includes collaborations such as “Yemi Mi Lova” with Spyro and “Don’t Worry” with Fave.
Several songs had been released before the full album. They include “Ala Bekee,” featuring Don Jazzy, and “Don’t Be Shy,” featuring Bien. Other early releases included “Yemi Mi Lova,” “Don’t Worry” and “Shawa Shawa (Ashawo).”
Alade described the album as a project for her longtime listeners, while using it to explore different aspects of her musical identity.
“It’s Yemi Alade is a love letter to my core fans.”
‘IT’S YEMI ALADE’ ALBUM TRACKLIST
- Alhaja
- General Market
- Coco Na Yam ft. Ferre Gola
- Little Kiss (E Good)
- Yemi Mi Lova ft. Spyro
- Ala Bekee ft. Don Jazzy
- Owa
- Minister of Enjoyment
- Don’t Be Shy ft. Bien
- Titanium
- Earth Song ft. Sofiya Nzau & Njerae
- Paradise ft. Singuila
- Away ft. Teni
- Overtake ft. Jeriq
- Worry ft. Fave
- Ashawo (Sawa Sawa)
