Yemi Alade Discusses Her Decision To Use Her Birth Name Instead Of A Stage Name

Nigerian singer Yemi Alade has discussed the reasoning behind her choice to retain her birth name throughout her music career, stating that she opted against using stage names because she wanted her artistry to define people’s first impressions rather than her name.

In an interview with the BBC, the award-winning singer mentioned that she considered several stage names early in her career but concluded that these names carried expectations with which she was not comfortable.

“One of the names I experimented with early on was Electra, but I changed my mind because I felt that the moment you hear Electra, you expect me to be electrifying, and I didn’t want people to have preconceived notions about me. I wanted them to be surprised and not anticipate what was coming. I also tried another name, Ginger, but in Nigeria, saying ginger implies energy, which meant I was revealing too much of myself before they even met me.”

Instead of adopting a stage persona, Alade sought divine guidance and ultimately decided that her birth name most accurately represented her purpose and journey.

“I took some time to reflect and reached out to God, asking for direction. The realization I had was that I should stick with my birth name, which has significant meaning. Opeyemi means ‘thanks be to God,’ and Alade means ‘the one who holds the crown.’ I believe this embodies who I am, so I chose to keep it.”

The singer also shared how her interactions with fans across Africa motivated her to make her music more accessible by recording songs in various languages. She noted that the idea originated from observing the passion of audiences who sang along to her music, even if they did not understand English or her native languages.

“The first language I translated my music into was French, which stemmed from curiosity. I felt a strong connection with many French-speaking African fans when I saw them at my concerts, singing my songs even though they didn’t speak English or my native languages. I thought, why not do something meaningful for them and show them my appreciation? That’s what motivated me to start translating my music. Later, I also translated my music into Swahili and Portuguese.”

Reflecting on the changes in the music industry, Alade noted that women are currently experiencing greater acceptance than in previous years. However, she emphasized that there is still much work to be done to enhance female representation within the industry.

She asserted that the journey for women is not necessarily easier but that opportunities are gradually increasing. She encouraged more women to come forward and continue breaking barriers, highlighting that greater participation is essential for creating a more balanced and inclusive music industry.

Yemi Alade has established herself as one of Africa’s most internationally recognized performers, and her multilingual approach has enabled her to connect with audiences across the continent and beyond. Her insights illustrate the deliberate decisions that have contributed to her identity and sustained success in the global music arena.