Global Afro-pop superstar Yemi Alade has released her highly anticipated self-titled studio album, ‘It’s Yemi Alade’, celebrating her identity, heritage, and the ever-evolving sound of Africa.
The 16-track project brings together Yemi Alade’s signature Afropop sound with elements of Highlife, Afrobeats, R&B, Lingala, Dancehall and Afro House. But she had help from her fans picking the title.
“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,” Yemi 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.”
True to its title, it’s her most personal body of work yet, an authentic reflection of her artistic evolution, experiences and influences, while transcending genre boundaries.
“It is a celebration of evolution without losing identity, a body of work that says, after all these years, this is still me. This is still my sound. This is still Yemi Alade. And this time, my fans helped give it a name,” she said.
At once reflective and fearless, the album honours her musical roots while embracing new sonic possibilities, creating a nostalgic yet forward-facing experience that showcases an artist continually evolving without losing sight of the sounds and stories that shaped her.
At a pivotal point in her career, It’s Yemi Alade offers fans an intimate window into her personal journey and artistic evolution, reflecting the experiences, growth and influences that have shaped her sound.
Speaking about the album and the inspiration behind it, Alade said it was a love letter to her fans.
“‘It’s Yemi Alade’ is a love letter to my core fans. 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.”
Featuring an acclaimed roster of pan-African music superstars including Kenya’s Bien, Njerae and Sofiya Nzau; French artist Singuila, Nigeria’s Spyro, Don Jazzy and Jeriq; and DRC Congo’s Ferre Gola, the album brings together distinctive voices and sounds from across the continent, underscoring Yemi Alade’s commitment to musical diversity and cross-continental unity.
Each track serves as a chapter in an intimate musical diary, taking listeners through a rich spectrum of genres, emotions, moods and experiences.
From infectious songs like “Owa” made to light up dancefloors, bangers like “Minister of Enjoyment” and some made for reflective moments like “Earth Song”, “Titanium” and “Paradise”; the album explores love, celebration, resilience, identity, spirituality, culture, everyday enjoyment and the experience of being an African.
The album has already made an impact with a series of singles, including “Ala Bekee” featuring Nigerian Afrobeats heavyweight and respected music executive Don Jazzy and “Don’t Be Shy” featuring Bien, which has emerged as one of Kenya and East Africa’s biggest charting songs of the moment.
Other early offerings that gave a glimpse into the album’s diverse sonic world include “Yemi Mi Lova” featuring Spyro, “Don’t Worry” featuring Fave and “Shawa Shawa (Ashawo).”
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
Bonus Tracks
- Worry ft. Fave
- Ashawo (Sawa Sawa)
