Afropop singer Yemi Alade is taking her music in new directions with her latest album, “It’s Yemi Alade,” exploring genres beyond the sounds that have largely defined her career.
The singer said the project was created to challenge the expectations surrounding her music and give her room to experiment with different sounds. The album draws from styles including Kompa, disco, techno and rap while still maintaining links to the musical influences that shaped her.
Alade said the creative concept behind the project was built around a simple idea: “something new, something old, something borrowed.”
According to the singer, the “something old” reflects the sounds and influences that were part of her musical journey and helped shape her career. Rather than simply reproducing those styles, however, she sought to reinterpret them through her present-day artistry.
The “something borrowed” aspect of the album allowed her to move further away from the Afrobeat and Highlife sounds with which she is commonly associated.
She experimented with Kompa, incorporated elements of disco and explored techno-influenced sounds similar to those heard in Ibiza.
Rap also occupies an important place in the project, representing the “something new” in her creative formula.
Prompt News reports Alade revealed that her connection with rap predates her rise as one of Africa’s prominent Afropop singers. She said the genre was among the sounds that first sparked her interest in music.
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The album consequently gives her an opportunity to revisit that early passion while blending it with the experience and identity she has developed throughout her career.
Reflecting on the creative process, the singer described the project as “audacious”, saying she has become more confident in trusting her instincts and making artistic choices on her own terms.
“I’m making music on my own terms, enjoying the process on my own terms, and allowing myself the freedom to explore,” she said.
For Alade, the album’s experimentation goes beyond simply trying out different genres. She said she wants the music to resonate with listeners who are also experiencing personal growth, individuality and self-discovery.
Her approach to music, she explained, is closely connected to the freedom to express herself and explore different aspects of her creativity.
“It’s Yemi Alade” therefore presents a different side of the singer, showing her willingness to evolve while retaining the musical experiences and influences that have contributed to her identity as an artiste.
