Yemi Alade Reveals Her Former Battle With Cigarette Addiction in Candid Video
In a candid interview with Chude, Afrobeat sensation Yemi Alade opened up about her brief struggle with smoking during her university days, admitting it nearly spiraled into addiction before she walked away.

Yemi Alade

Chart-topping Nigerian vocalist Yemi Alade has shared a personal revelation about her past experimentation with cigarettes, detailing how a fleeting curiosity evolved into a concerning nightly habit during her college years.

During her conversation with Chude, the “Oh My Gosh” hitmaker explained that what began as casual peer pressure swiftly transformed into a dependency she had to consciously resist. “University was my first taste of independence—and unfortunately, tobacco,” she confessed. “I didn’t realize how quickly those experimental puffs would turn into a compulsory bedtime ritual.”

The multi-award-winning artist described reaching a turning point when secrecy became part of the routine. “Hiding cigarette packs in my bag made me confront the truth—this wasn’t freedom, it was a cage. I’ve always believed our choices should stand in the light,” Yemi reflected, emphasizing how this principle guided her decision to quit.

Health concerns ultimately cemented her resolve. “As a vocalist, every inhale felt like betraying my instrument,” she said, noting that her smoking phase lasted less than twelve months. “The moment I understood the damage—not just to my voice but my lungs—I became my own enforcer. Some temptations linger, but discipline outlasts them all.”