The famous Nigerian singer, Yemi Alade, reveals a glimpse into her experiences in the Nigerian music industry.
The music business is a labyrinthine world where many pitfalls await artists. Compromising offers are a common currency for those in search of fame and recognition. While some yield to these temptations and embark on this path, others like Yemi Alade maintain their integrity. However, even with a thriving career and undeniable fame, they don’t always receive the accolades they deserve.
Yemi Alade shared her experience regarding the darker sides of the industry with the public. Revealing the shady aspects of African showbiz, she stands as a role model for many artists struggling to make a name for themselves without compromising their values. “There was a time in the industry when everybody wanted to sleep with me, and it was like, ‘Yemi, if you don’t do this, you won’t get that’, going down with men was like a bridge. I had to go through things to access certain platforms, deals, and even awards. When I made the decision to never engage in sexual activities for profit, many opportunities were automatically blocked for me,” she explains.
The 35-year-old singer went on to point out a fact to her fans. “Ask yourselves why Yemi Alade, who is the most viewed and most subscribed Nigerian female artist on YouTube, gets almost no recognition at award shows year after year. Even on Twitter debates, no one mentions Yemi Alade as one of the greatest female Nigerian artists. They really blocked everything for me. But I am glad because I have my dignity, I have my life, I make a lot of money, and above all, I have fans who love me so much,” she highlights. Nevertheless, African music lovers continue to appreciate the various discographic productions from Yemi Alade who will, one day, see her work triumph.