Yemi Eberechi Alade is a fast-rising artiste who is doing well for herself. In this interview she tells REPORTER, Lukmon Akintola, about her love life and what makes her a delight to watch and listen to.
Yemi Alade
Most people have difficulties combining music with education, how did you manage?
I have heard a lot of people say that, but my love for music never affected my education negatively. I drew up a time table which only allowed me to be a music artiste during my leisure hours, while I was in school.
Parents are often known to kick against their kids going into the entertainment industry, was yours an exception?
You need to understand that I come from a very strict family, but despite that my parents were very supportive, though they were strict when I was younger.
Who are the artistes who influenced you while growing up?
They were quite a handful. Names such as Boyz2Men, Mariah Carey, Destiny’s Child, R. Kelly and so on influenced me a lot. My mother and dad also influenced me because they are lovers of music too.
How you feel as a fast rising act?
One of the most important things in the career of any body is not to be stagnant. I know where I was before, I know where I am going and I thank God. The important thing is that I am not where I used to be and I only decided to become a professional artiste in 2010 after I won the Peak Talent Show and even after that I had to go back to the university and bag that degree before focusing on my career as a singer.
What motivated your song Ghenghen Love?
Ghenghen Love as the title of the track is a love song and it was the first I had written in a long time. It is a gift from above and it was produced by the iconic OJB Jezreel.
What have you been up to in recent times?
I have been working hard and it has been incredible and all glory to God because I recently got nominated in the same category with more established artistes such as Omawumi, Waje and Tiwa Savage. We were all nominated in the female artistes of the year category. That alongside other great things has happened to me. The year 2014 will definitely bring more positive achievements.
There are a thousand and one artistes in the Nigerian music industry, what stands you out?
Describing what stands me out will amount to blowing my own trumpet, but I am sure that by the time music audience listen to my work they will agree that it is the kind of album that Nigerians here and abroad have been waiting for; it was carefully produced by gifted producers and a free spirit like mine just for the listeners.
Which Nigerian act would you like to collaborate with in future?
There are a couple of them, but prominent on my list are Omawumi, Waje and 2face.
How would you rate female artistes doing music in the country?
They are very talented. It is easier to achieve in the industry if you are a man, but as a lady, it is anther ball game. So, if we have a couple of us doing well it only means we are talking about extremely gifted people.
What determines the kind of music you do?
I go whereever my heart, mind, ears and producers take me. I am an Afro Pop/R&B artiste, that’s how I prefer to put it. I also do songs from incidents and personal experiences that is the hallmark of a lot of great singers.
Would you share a fond memory of your childhood with us?
I had a very interesting childhood, even though I never attended any birthday parties my parents ensured I had all the necessities I should have.
Has being beautiful helped your career as a music act?
I know that any great career is built on more than just looks and appearance, although ones carriage is important for personal growth. So, it won’t be wrong to say my looks might have helped my career, but that alone won’t do anything.
Are you attracted to any artiste in Nigeria?
There are good-looking guys in the industry, but no, I am not attracted to any one of them.
Is marriage coming anytime soon?
I will carry you along when that time comes, but until then, I am working on my career.
What kind of man would pull the rug off your feet?
I would be attracted to a man who is respectful, reasonable, open minded, funny, God fearing, clean, ambitious and very hard working. A lazy or laid back man won’t work for me.
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