Why I’m constantly overlooked at award ceremonies in Nigeria

Singer, Yemi Alade, affectionately referred to as Mama Africa, has shed light on the reasons behind her infrequent wins at award ceremonies.

She said that when she first started on the musical scene, all the men had wanted to sleep with her, but her refusal to comply with such advances may have adversely affected her chances of receiving awards in Nigeria.

Yemi expressed that a lot of times she is not nominated in award categories and that it largely has a lot to do with men.

Alade also stated her confusion that even though she is one of the most viewed and most subscribed Nigerian female artistes on YouTube, she still constantly feels overlooked by the award shows.

“There was a time in the industry when everyone wanted to sleep with me and it was like, ‘Yemi, if you do not do this, you won’t have that.’ Today men are the reason I do not win awards in Nigeria.

“Going down with men was like a bridge I had to cross to get on some platforms, get deals and even awards. When I made the decision never to engage in sexual activities for gains, lots of opportunities were automatically be blocked against me.

“Ask yourself why Yemi Alade who is the most viewed and most subscribed Nigerian female artist on Youtube gets almost no recognition from award shows year after year. Even during debates, no one mentions Yemi Alade as one of the biggest female artists in Nigeria.
“They really blocked everything for me. But I am glad because I have my dignity, I have my life, I am making cool cash and above all, I have fans who love me so much.”