Benson Chukwu
Yemi Alade, the celebrated Afrobeat star, recently shared the struggles she endured while trying to establish herself in the competitive music scene early in her career.
The award-winning artist disclosed that s*xual harassment was a recurring issue she faced, recounting inappropriate advances from industry executives during professional engagements when she was just a teenager.
During an interview on the Swift Conversations podcast, she revealed, “Back then, I believed my talent alone would open doors for me. I didn’t have financial backing—just pure passion and a dream I was determined to chase.”
“I put in extra effort because I was told I had to work harder, but even that wasn’t enough. Many times, when I approached opportunities, my skills weren’t the focus—instead, there were ulterior motives.
“From studio sessions to award events, I encountered situations where male figures crossed the line. Imagine sitting in a meeting, and suddenly, someone is touching your thigh under the table. I was young and shaken, unable to react.
“It made me question if I even belonged in this industry. But deep down, I knew my music mattered, so I persisted. If a door opened, I entered; if it slammed shut, I moved on.”
Alade credits her eventual success to shifting her mindset—realizing she had to “stop waiting for open doors and start knocking them down herself.”
Terngu Iorfa
