The exceptionally talented Yemi Alade stars in “Rebel Queen”

With a voice befitting of the most beautiful songbird, Nigerian Afro-Pop torch bearer, Yemi Alade has blessed the masses with her latest offering Rebel Queen.

A prolific, singer/songwriter, she has in a span of 9 albums and 2 EP’s garnered a fanatic and loyal fanbase. Even a casual listen to any of the multitude of her hits will show you exactly why.

I’ll be the first to say that I’m a relative newbie to the scorching hot Afro-beat/pop movement and finding myself more and more comfortable discerning what’s both hot and what’s pleasing to ME as a music fan.

It also can at times be difficult listen to music sung in a language other than your own. Yemi makes the whole process so much easier.

After an intro chant track Karibu, that makes one feel as if they’re in the presence of royalty, Yemi sets ears ablaze with the opening track Ki Lo Wa Wa.

A perfect track to showcase over the Amapiano styled production, her voice is nothing short of splendid. What makes her so exceptionally talented and the perfect star to headline the movement is her versatility. Not sticking to one particular style, she manges to touch a number of vibes.

Tracks like I’m Sorry and Big Vibe are smooth as silk pop offerings, that could easily do wonders for any top American R&B songstress, Chairman (my favorite) and Ije Love have that classic African sound that would make Fela Kuti beam with pride, and just when you think you’ve heard it all, she goes into the dancehall bag with Bop and the remix of her 2023 hit Baddie feat Konshens.

She even adds a little message of women’s empowerment with the gorgeous foot tapper African Woman featuring Angelique. Versatility indeed! It truly gets no better if you’re a fan of musicians exploring and making full use of their creativity and doing what feels good to THEM as an artist.

Too many times as fans, we expect our favorites to stay in the so called “box” and not deviate, especially if the artist gained your following utilizing the style you fell in love with. Me? I don’t mind at all, especially if when the artist does dabble, they do it to great effect. I’ll again reiterate that I am not as versed in Afro-pop as I am in traditional reggae music, however there’s no denying its appeal as it’s designed to get your body moving and head nodding.

Bravo to Yemi for doing just that while closing out the summer months with one hell of an album. 

By Yankee Nupe.