Showbiz
Most People Don’t Know I’m an Introvert Despite My Energy—Yemi Alade
By Dipo Olowookere
Talented award-winning Afrobeats singer, Yemi Alade, has disclosed that despite the energy she exudes on stage, she is an introvert.
She said this in an interview with Spotify, which named her as its EQUAL Africa’s Artiste for September, a platform designed to celebrate female artists on the continent.
“One surprising thing my fans don’t know about me is that despite this energy I exude I’m an introvert. Some would say I’m an introvert who likes to go out just to eat food! How would we call that? A food-trovert maybe?” she said.
Yemi Alade, who is fondly called Mama Africa by fans for her dedication to championing African culture and music, continues to make her mark on the global stage.
With a career that has spanned over a decade, the Nigerian musician, who burst into the limelight in 2010 after winning the Peak Talent Show, has undoubtedly established herself as one of the most prominent and influential female artists in the Nigerian music industry, earning a dedicated fanbase both at home and internationally.
Speaking on how she knew music was her line, she said, “I’ve always loved music but I realised that I always knew that my voice had an effect on people and I loved that effect because it meant that I could connect with them even without touching them, without speaking directly to them.
“I felt a vibration that I enjoyed. It became a career after I won a talent show in 2010 and since then my life has been on the road chasing music and making music.”
She described her music as a “perfect blend of a high-life pop, R’n’B, and afrobeat. It’s a beautiful blend that is inspired by a bit of jazz or blues here and there. If you listen closely you’ll pick the tones.
“I don’t like to be in a box but I know that my music is a fusion of African sounds, and the core of my music is African rhythm.”
No wonder she is loved by many music lovers because her electrifying performances and powerful voice have earned her recognition worldwide, allowing her to represent African music on international platforms.
Her undeniable talent and powerful voice have captivated audiences across continents. She has collaborated with global superstars such as Beyoncé, Angélique Kidjo, and Awilo Longomba to name a few. She has also toured the world, showcasing the richness and beauty of African music, captivating audiences across continents and cultures.
Yemi Alade said her exposure to different genres of music while growing up shaped her into a good singer.
“As a kid, I was blessed to grow up in a big family and the age ranges of the family members were far and wide so I got the opportunity to listen to music that was even older than my age range.
“I fell in love with music from the likes of Sunny Adé King, Shina Peters, Onyeka Onwenu, and Christy Essien.
“There’s a long list of African artists I was listening to at a very young age and that opened my palette to the huge range of music that we have,” she said.
Explaining the rationale behind her choice for Spotify’s EQUAL Africa programme, the Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa for Spotify, Ms Phiona Okumu, said, “Yemi Alade exemplifies the calibre of talent the program aims to support.”
“Spotify is proud to be associated with Yemi Alade and will continue to use the EQUAL Africa program to provide support for women in music, amplifying their voices and helping to showcase their incredible talents to a global audience,” she added.
The popular audio-streaming chief noted that, “Spotify’s EQUAL Africa program is dedicated to empowering female voices in Africa, spotlighting artists who continue to push boundaries with their artistry.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A 12-hour non-stop entertainment event offering various performances and activities all night long will take place in Lagos from the evening of December 21 into the early hours of December 22, 2025.
This programme known as InsomniaQ, is being put together by one of Africa’s leading digital payments platforms, Quickteller.
Quickteller is a brand powered by the Interswitch Group, and InsomniaQ was created to celebrate African creativity.
The all-night music and entertainment experience will hold at the Ballroom of the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.
It is designed to capture the vibrancy and cultural energy that define Lagos in December. InsomniaQ is positioned to become Africa’s newest must-attend December destination.
The concert blends diverse African soundscapes, creative expression, and immersive lifestyle experiences, offering a night curated for music lovers, diaspora returnees, cultural enthusiasts, and everyone drawn to the city’s festive season.
More than a concert, InsomniaQ represents a new cultural moment, one that celebrates the richness, depth, and diversity of African talent. With a lineup cutting across contemporary and alternative genres, the festival aims to introduce a bold, fresh, and unforgettable experience within Lagos’ already vibrant entertainment landscape.
“InsomniaQ is an invitation to celebrate African creativity in a way that feels bold, fresh, and true to who we are.
“Quickteller has always been an essential part of the experiences people value, and this festival brings that connection to life in an entirely new dimension.
“As Lagos welcomes friends, family, and visitors from around the world each December, we are proud to introduce a platform that showcases our music, our culture, and the vibrant energy that defines this season,” the Divisional Head of Growth Marketing for Quickteller Ecosystem at Interswitch, Mr Olawale Akanbi, noted.
Through Quickteller, Interswitch continues to champion initiatives that go beyond digital transactions to enrich the everyday life of millions of Nigerians.
InsomniaQ extends this mission by empowering cultural expression, unlocking creative opportunities, and supporting the continent’s growing entertainment ecosystem.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The quartet of Oyindamola Timothy (Fashion), Steve Adeyemo (Tech), Uche Kalu (Dance), and Emmanuel Elijah (Music) emerged the category winners of the Stanbic IBTC FUZE Talent Show 4.0.
They received N10 million each for their efforts, along with mentorship opportunities, industry exposure, and support to advance their creative journeys.
The four were chosen from the 12 finalists at an event aired on Sunday, December 14, 2025, on AIT (DStv Channel 253) at 7:00 pm, Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151) at 5:00 pm, and streamed live on the official Stanbic IBTC YouTube channel, connecting millions of viewers to the excitement and energy of the show.
The 2025 edition drew over 6,000 entries nationwide and continued to inspire a new wave of innovation among young Nigerians in fashion, technology, dance, and music. The participants fought for a share of the N90 million in prizes put up by the organisers.
This year, the FUZE Talent Show also introduced an exciting new twist: The Fan Favourite Feature, which allowed viewers across the country to vote for the contestant who most inspired them. This addition deepened audience participation and further strengthened FUZE’s mission to connect creativity with community support.
“FUZE 4.0 truly lived up to its promise as The Ultimate Show, a platform that celebrates courage, creativity, and innovation.
“Every contestant who graced that stage reminded us of the extraordinary potential of Nigerian youths.
“At Stanbic IBTC, we are proud to continue creating opportunities that help young people dream bigger, think bolder, and achieve more. It is all about home-grown talent for us as we power the made-in-Nigeria initiative,” the chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr Chuma Nwokocha, said.
As excitement builds for FUZE Festival coming up on Saturday, December 20, 2025, attendees can anticipate experiencing this year’s edition theme The Ultimate Show in full, with circus-style attractions, from magicians and parade performers to flash mobs and art displays.
An expanded marketplace, freebies from participating partners and on-site Stanbic IBTC services will enhance convenience, while performances by Wande Coal, Pheelz, Chike, and Ms DSF will add a nostalgic, high-energy finish. Interested attendees can register to attend via the Stanbic IBTC Events App or visit www.events.stanbicibtc.com to secure their spot.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The 2019 single released by Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer, CKay, Love Nwantiti, has officially surpassed one billion streams on Spotify.
This feat has made him one of the few African artists to reach this milestone and the first Nigerian solo act to achieve this.
The song has sustained a global appeal, with listeners from the United States, India, Indonesia, Brazil, and the United Kingdom playing it in the last 28 days alone, a proof of the track’s staying power well beyond its viral peak.
This achievement places CKay in an elite group of African artists with billion-stream records on Spotify, which includes hits driven by collaborations with Nigerian artists, such as Drake’s One Dance (featuring Wizkid and Kyla), Future’s Wait For U (featuring Drake and Tems), and Rema’s Calm Down (featuring Selena Gomez), and solo song Water, by Tyla.
Love Nwantiti was released on CKay’s EP titled CKay the First. It began as a slow-burn masterpiece that captured a global audience. It then broke out by blending the grooving rhythm of Afrobeats with an emotional feeling and an entrancing melody, a sound CKay himself pioneered and coined as Emo-Afrobeats, fusing African rhythms with raw, heartfelt emotion.
The song, which translates to sweet gentle love in the Igbo language, communicates an intense desire for a love interest. Its journey from a homegrown Nigerian track to a cultural sensation fuelled by countless dance challenges, social virality, and international remixes is proof of the widespread power of its sound.
It remains a fixture on playlists globally, with over 3.9 million playlist adds and sustained streaming momentum across continents.
CKay achieved this historic mark with a solo, non-collaborative lead release by a Nigerian artist. This distinction highlights his unique vision and singular impact as both a writer and performer, making him a true torchbearer for the new generation of African music talent.
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