Afrobeat sensation Yemi Alade, the celebrated artist behind the global hit “Johnny”, sits
with Chude Jideonwo on a new episode of #WithChude to share her remarkable story of
resilience, identity, and authenticity.

In a deeply personal conversation, Yemi reflects on her evolution and what it truly
means to embrace her identity as Mama Africa. She explains that the moment she
understood her roots and truly knew herself, she stepped into the name with
confidence, without waiting for anyone to hand her the title.

Yemi also tells the story behind “Johnny”, saying the song was inspired by real-life
events and that it was never officially released by her but leaked on the internet. The
song would go on to become one of the defining records of Afrobeat and a global
breakthrough for her career.

She reflects on how she stayed true to her path despite industry pressure to conform,
including calls for Western collaborations, and explains why she remains selective
about working with other female artists.

Speaking about what drives her, Yemi said, “The minute you know your roots and you
know yourself, you become Mama Africa. I didn’t need anyone to pass me the baton, I
just knew it was my time.”
In this intimate conversation with Chude Jideonwo, Yemi Alade shows a side of herself
the world rarely sees, confident, vulnerable, and entirely at peace with the choices that
made her who she is today. The true Mama Africa stands tall, with no regrets and a
story that continues to inspire.

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