EP Review: Yemi Alade’s Magic Remains Intact on Queendoncom
On her sophomore EP, the Nigerian superstar provides catchy afro-pop tunes.
Since hitting the limelight with 2014’s “Johnny,” Yemi Alade has established herself as one of Africa’s biggest artistes. With five albums—King of Queens, Mama Africa (The Diary of an African Woman), Black Magic, Woman of Steel and Empress—under her belt, she has consistently put out ample afro-pop earworms. Born to a Yoruba father and an Igbo mother, she has embraced Pan-Africanism by delivering her songs in French and Swahili languages and portraying different African attires in her music videos. In 2019, she featured on two songs off Beyoncé’s soundtrack album The Lion King: The Gift and its 2020 visual companion, Black Is King.
Queendoncom is a follow-up to Yemi Alade’s 2017 EP Mama Afrique. It also continues her choice of titles that portray royalty and the strength of femininity. The seven-track project is a collection of songs that touch on love, sex, happy times and the need for women to seek confidence in themselves. Nigerian producers Egar Boi, Dr Amir and Selebobo handle the production, while Nigerian guitarist Fiokee sprinkles his magic.
On the dancehall-infused “Ogogoro,” Yemi Alade admires a love interest. “You are my type of wine/Original ogogoro/Sweet shekpe you dey high me o,” she sings. Her delivery is smooth and effortlessly manoeuvres the beat well. The sweetness flows into “Sweety” as Yemi Alade praises the qualities she sees in her lover.
Sexual tension arises on “Ike.” Yemi Alade, engaged in a dance with her lover, tells him that it is either he overpowers her with his moves or she brings him down to his knees with hers. “You go talk true today/You go show me today/You go show us the way (Yeh),” she sings. On “Enjoyment,” which is awash with amapiano, Yemi Alade is in the mood to forget her worries and have a good time.
The beat on “Dada” recalls Tekno’s “Pana.” On the former, Yemi Alade sings about how her lover’s affection threatens to drive her crazy. “Origi matis/Na so my heart just dey go o/Origi matis/This boy go spoil my speedometer,” she sings.
“Ella” is dedicated to every woman who has been dealt disappointment by the men they love. Yemi Alade urges women to shrug off the hurt and find strength within themselves, as she sings, “Where you want you go dey/Do this for your love, do it for yourself.”
The sexual tension on “Ike” is heightened on “Fire.” Yemi Alade likens the love of her partner to a fire that burns inside her. “If to say no be jazz o/Why can’t I live without you?/Imagine my world without you,” she sings. The desire in her voice is palpable and full-blown.
Throughout the record, Yemi Alade smoothly finds pockets of melody by manipulating her vocals. On Queendoncom, her songwriting, which is usually panned by critics for its blandness, has become better and holds up against the themes of the songs. Yemi Alade’s winning streak continues.
Go HERE to stream Queendoncom.