Nigerian singer Yemi Alade has opened up about the severe challenges she confronted during her formative years as a young, aspiring female artiste, revealing that sexual harassment was the most significant hurdle she was forced to navigate. The “Johnny” crooner recalled numerous instances where music executives and industry figures harassed her during pivotal meetings and studio sessions while she was still a teenager.
The devastating reality behind industry doors
Speaking candidly in a recent episode of the Swift Conversations podcast, Alade painted a grim picture of the Nigerian music industry’s underbelly for young women seeking a breakthrough. She explained that in her early days, she relied solely on her talent and zeal, lacking the financial backing necessary to sponsor her career.
“In those beginning days, all I thought I needed was just my talent because that’s what I have,” Alade stated. “I didn’t have a bank account full of money I could use to sponsor myself. I just had a talent and a zeal.”
Despite her dedication and being advised to work harder, the singer realized that her efforts were insufficient. She encountered systemic barriers where her professional skills were secondary to personal demands.
Harassment at meetings and studio sessions
Alade detailed the shocking environment she often found herself in, describing instances of harassment that occurred across various professional settings.
“There were doors I needed to walk up to and when I walked up to the doors, they didn’t want my talent, they wanted something else,” she revealed.
The harassment was not subtle; she spoke of executives attempting to violate her boundaries during formal interactions: “Many times from business meetings to studio sessions to even winning certain awards and you meet maybe the managing director or any other executive and they are trying to rub your thighs under the table.”
Recalling her shock as a teen witnessing this unprofessional and predatory behaviour, Alade stated the internal conflict it caused: “I had to speak to myself and decided if music was what I wanted to do because the sexual harassment was becoming too rampant.”
Breaking down the walls for success
Despite the pervasive nature of the abuse, Yemi Alade persevered. She credited an inner conviction that told her to keep pushing her talent, leading to a crucial shift in her career strategy.
The singer found success only after realizing that the conventional path of seeking opportunities was flawed. She decided to change her approach to navigating the industry’s barriers: “I needed to stop walking through the doors and start breaking down the walls.”
This powerful revelation underscores the often-untold struggles and ethical compromises young female artistes face in the pursuit of their careers, highlighting the courage required to succeed on talent alone against predatory industry structures.
