Highly talented songbird Yemi Eberechi
Alade never stops catching our undivided attention since she won the maiden
edition of the Peak Talent Hunt back in 2010 and she has shown no sign of
slowing down ever since. Born to a Yoruba father by an Igbo mother, you can
call her that ‘Igbo-Yoruba Girl’, armed with a slew of singles from “Fimisile’’
with Eldee the Don to “Ghen Ghen Love’’, “Birthday Song” to mention a few. Freshly
back from a nationwide tour, locking down an interview with the delectable
singer seems to be an herculean task but we eventually caught up with her and we journeyed through the mind of the
sexy songbird as she talks about her music, what has kept her going and most
importantly her forthcoming album. Excerpts:
How is it going down with Yemi Alade
at the moment?
It’s been a
wonderful year, have been working and at the same time learning since I began
working with my new crew Effizzy Music
Group, trying to keep up with the energy of their working style, and on their
part keeping their pace with me. We have been busy touring the nation, recording
and working with different producers on my forthcoming album. I tell you, these
guys are bulldozers and I am happy to be working with them.
Tell us about your new song “Johnny’’
“Johnny” is
a song I had the chance to record when I went on my nationwide tour to many
places especially in the east where I never thought I had fans, I was surprised
to see many people singing along to “Ghen Ghen Love” which I sang in Yoruba and
the show of love by these fans was over-whelming, it was in that spirit that I
hooked up with an Enugu State based producer Cele Bobo and we recorded “Johnny”
and the feedback ever since has been massive. I have never had it so good in
recent times like this; everybody is asking who “Johnny” is, in fact. I have
changed my name on my blackberry phone to Mrs. Johnny (laughs out loud)!
Who is “Johnny” that you sang about?
“Johnny” is
that bad guy out there who wants to date every girl next door, every beautiful
woman he sets his eyes on. “Johnny” wants to date all the Yemi Alades and Tiwa
Savages.
Tell us about your forthcoming album.
My team and
I are working towards releasing an album in the next six months and we are trying
to be very vibrant because I will be serving my fans different dishes on the
same plate.
Which collaborations should we
expect?
Have got
loads of people that I have worked with and many that I am still going to work
with but I would not like to let the cat out of the bag now, I will say
everybody knows about the song I did with Eva but we are still working on
others, we are also trying to nail an international act on the album.
What would you call your style of
music?
I do
Afro-pop and R & B. People always try to call me ‘our Nigerian Whitney
Houston’, yes I do love her but my music is African but yet fresh and pleasing
to the ears, I try to leave a trace of where am from in every song that I write,
I make it clear in my music that this diva is a Nigerian.
You are beautiful and much loved by
everybody, how have you been able to stay off scandals?
Scandals have
no chance in Effizzy Music Group, me and my team try our best to stay busy;
knowing that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
Who are your role models?
I love Beyonce
for her stage craft, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston for their vocal prowess, Rihanna
for her fashion sense and Nicki Minaj just because I think am related to her by
blood (laughs out loud).
What does Yemi Alade stands for?
Yemi Alade
stands for good music as well as African Women who believe they are beautiful,
strong and fierce on the inside and outside.
Why do you think people say you are
Nigerian Whitney Houston?
Well, maybe
it’s because I love her so much, and may her soul rest in perfect peace. A lot
of people have said I sound like her; probably because I listen to her songs a
lot and they inspire me.
What’s your take on Artist/Record
Label break-ups as its becoming a regular occurrence in the music industry?
I think it
is a two-way thing, artistes should start seeing their recording contract
agreement as a marriage, when your partner is not meeting up with certain
things that you really need, you don’t just say “am walking out”. The parties
involved should sit down and talk about their differences, our watchword should
be “let us build and not break”. Instead of breaking up, that thing that the
artist is looking for, you add it and build the dream except in a situation where
there is no understanding at all. Record Labels on their part too should always
try and make their artist happy instead of enslaving them.
Can we have a peep into your fashion
sense, beauty regimen and accessories you can’t do without.
Fashion for
me must be simple, edgy and classy, I have a simple beauty regimen, I eat
fruits everyday and I don’t go to bed with make-up. I exfoliate my skin
regularly and drink a lot of water too. As for accessories, I can’t do without
stylish rings; I call it Gang star rings though, a neck-piece for ear-rings, I
can go for as long as a year without them.
What’s your advice for Yemi Alade
wannabes?
My advice to
them is to try and be the best and only the best at what they do, put God
first, stay consistent and patient and they should please follow me on twitter
@yemialadee and let’s talk, tweet and laugh.
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