Yemi Alade

Yemi Eberechi Alade

Yemi Alade is a Nigerian Afropop singer and songwriter known for the breakthrough recording "Johnny," a career spanning multiple albums, and her public advocacy as a United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador.

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About Yemi Alade

Profile information current to 2026-08-19.

Nigeria · Singer, Songwriter

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Known for: Afropop music; United Nations development advocacy
Country: Nigeria

Singer
Songwriter

At a glance

"Johnny" became a defining breakthrough recording in Alade's career and appeared on her 2014 debut album, "King of Queens."
She won Best Female at the 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards.
She was appointed a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador in 2020, with advocacy priorities including inequality, gender equality, and the effects of climate change on women and girls.
Her song "Tomorrow" was nominated for Best African Music Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.

Education and early career

Alade pursued a degree in Geography at the University of Lagos before winning Nigeria's Peak Talent Show in 2009. Sources associate the next phase of her recording career with Effyzzie Music Group.

Breakthrough and recording career

Alade's wider prominence is closely associated with "Johnny," although sources differ on whether to date its breakthrough to 2013 or 2014; its official video was published in March 2014, and the song appeared on her debut album, "King of Queens." She later contributed to Beyoncé's "The Lion King: The Gift" project and released "Rebel Queen," described by GRAMMY.com as her sixth studio album, in July 2024.

Public advocacy

The United Nations Development Programme appointed Alade as a Goodwill Ambassador in September 2020. UNDP identifies her advocacy priorities as inequality, gender equality, and the climate-related challenges facing women and girls, and continued to list her in the role as of August 2026.

Timeline

2009 Won Nigeria's Peak Talent Show.
2014-03-03 The official music video for "Johnny" was published.
2014 Released her debut album, "King of Queens," which included "Johnny."
2015 Won Best Female at the MTV Africa Music Awards.
2020-09-23 Was appointed a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador.
2024-07-26 Released "Rebel Queen," described by GRAMMY.com as her sixth studio album.
2025 Her song "Tomorrow" received a nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.

Additional verified details

Current context

UNDP continued to list Yemi Alade as a Goodwill Ambassador. The listing verifies UNDP's presentation of the role as of the research date; it does not independently establish contractual term dates or a formal end date.

Biographical facts

AllMusic lists her birth date as March 13, 1989.
She pursued a degree in Geography at the University of Lagos.
Sources link her post-Peak Talent Show career to Effyzzie Music Group, and her 2024 album "Rebel Queen" is credited to Effyzzie Music.
"Johnny" is identified by music sources as a defining breakthrough recording in her career.
She appeared with Mr Eazi and Tekno on Beyoncé's "The Lion King: The Gift" soundtrack project.
UNDP identifies her advocacy priorities as including inequality, gender equality, and climate impacts on women and girls.

Connections

Affiliations

Affiliations associated with Yemi Alade.

United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador 2020-09-23–present
Effyzzie Music Group