YEMI ALADE

Don't get it twisted though. This chocolate bombshell, if all goes according to plan, will be Nigeria's Mariah Carey rather than Nigeria's Yaris Sanchez (just like Mariah Carey who is of mixed breed, Yemi Alade is half Ibo and half Yoruba). With her hair shaved a la Cassie style and designer frames hiding her sleepy eyes, she radiates warmth and confidence as she talks about her passion; music.

"I always had melody in my ears" says Yemi Alade as she traces the meeting point between her and music. She says in a family of seven (she is the fifth child and the last girl) musical influences were all around her; from her father singing and swaying while he got dressed for work and her brothers blasting the stereo to the loudest while doing house chores. With music all around her, little Yemi started belting out tunes and in Primary 6 she composed her first song.

Despite showing a flair for music she didn't take it serious. "Even after secondary school (Victory Grammar School) when people asked me what it is I wanted to do in life, I did not say I wanted to be an artiste. I think it (music) sort of chose me". 

In 2009, she took the huge jump by enrolling in the maiden edition of the Peak Talent Show. Lo and behold, her golden and raw voice took her straight to the top where she won.

"Whether you like it or not you'll be pushed. So I stepped out from singing in my bathroom and not being a very serious choir member to being serious with music and all" says Ms. Alade. 

After winning the talent competition, she released her debut single 'Fimisile' featuring eLDee the Don in 2010 under Bayo Omisore's management. Her introductory single gained the attention of the industry tastemakers from DJs to bloggers. After her impressive outing, she went hard working with several acts. Her grind got her a spot on Ovation's Red Carol for 2011 featuring Ice Prince, Waje, YQ, Wizkid, Segun Obe, Chidinma and others. During this period she graduated from the University of Lagos with a B.Sc in Geography.

A year later, Yemi Alade now has a new imprint behind her Effyzzie Music Group, home to DIPP and Maytronomy. Her new single, the afro-pop-influenced "Ghen Ghen Love" was produced by OJB Jezreel who kick-started 2Face's solo career. The veteran producer singled her out from all the Red Carol acts to work with. The result of their studio session is an afro-pop song that showcases her strong vocals which proved that she is more than a pretty face. Having worked with producers such as eLDee, E. Kelly, IBK, Major One, Sizzle Pro, DJ Klem, Bigfoot and Flip Tyce, Yemi Alade is beginning to earn her spot as Nigeria's honey diva.