Talented Nigerian music star, YEMI Alade who recently signed a multi- million naira endorsement deal with Niarabox, in an interview with Kemi Filani cleared the air on her on N2.5m BET Awards dress, her new endorsement deal and her rumoured relationship with manager, Taiye Aliyu.
You were recently made Nairabox Ambassador, how do you feel about it?
I’m happy. Being a Nairabox Ambassador doesn’t hurt anybody, so why would I say no. It’s a cool trend. I like to be part of trend setting people, so that’s one of the reasons I accepted the deal.
As an Ambassador of that brand, what should your fans expect from you?
I’m part of Nairabox and there’s an interesting part of it that connects with my music.
Nairabox users get to know about and listen to some of my new songs before any other people.
YEMI Alade has been endorsed by made brands, does it often get to you, making you feel it’s becoming too much work?
No oh! It doesn’t! It’s better to have so much to do than to be idle. And you know one can’t get endorsed by two similar brands as same time.
If after one or two years, your contract expires, then perhaps a competitive brand would want to take over.
What are you doing at the moment?
Well, i’m still pushing my last album, Mama Africa. And I have dropped like four videos off the album.
I have done a videos for Africa, Koffi, Nagode, Ferrari. Besides that, i’m working on more videos to come out very soon.
Nigeria music industry is majorly dominated by the male artistes, and only few females are at the top, does that put pressure on you?
The pressure is there because I have to keep up with what my male counterparts are doing.
It’s also tough and challenging because in African the women are always looked down upon.
There’s a lot of physical and psychological issues that we tackle as African female artistes whether you are A’ List or Z list. Well, I have chosen to on God’s list.
How do you feel attending BET awards for years, back to back, yet you haven’t won any of the trophies?
BET is a big award ceremony and African categories had just 6. We all know that in Nigeria alone, we have over 15 popular artistes that are doing well- both male and female.
Then in the whole Africa, I was picked amongst the first 6 in three different categories- year after year which means that i’m doing something very good.
I didn’t come back dry. I was next to Beyonce and her likes.
Did you really buy that gown you wore to BET for N2.5M?
(laughs) Do you want to buy it from me? Well, you can check it out yourself. Check the designer out.
You don’t need to hear from me to confirm it. Just go online and see things for yourself.
YEMI Alade is amongst the top ten successful music stars in Nigeria, she has been endorsed by different brands, but when is she getting married?
Well, whenever it’s God’s time. So, in other words, you are still looking for your Johnny?
No! Not at all. He should be the one looking for me, i’m tired of looking. You have remained with this African hairstyles, would ever try another style, like Brazilian hairs and the likes?
The truth of the matter is; fixing of hairs is not
normal. The normal ones are African hairstyles. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Yemi with her managers.
You have maintained a clean slate in the entertainment industry filled with controversy, how have you been making it happen?
I’m just being myself and not going about looking for someone’s trouble.
It has become a trend for some female celebrities to date their male managers, and you have been listed to be a part of this, what’s your take on that?
Male Managers no be human being?
The managers are there to take care of the careers. But seriously, if I had a female manager would you be asking me all these?