Nigerian Afrobeats singer Yemi Alade has candidly shared her experiences of sexual harassment during the early stages of her career. As a young, aspiring artist, she revealed that older men and music executives often subjected her to inappropriate behavior, creating a challenging environment for a teenager determined to succeed.
Starting Out With Talent and Determination
Alade explained that she began her career relying solely on her talent and perseverance. Without financial backing or industry connections, she depended entirely on her skills and inner drive. “All I thought I needed was just my talent because that’s what I had. I didn’t have money to sponsor myself. I just had talent, zeal, and a promise I made to myself,” she recalled. Despite her dedication, she quickly realized that talent alone was insufficient to navigate the industry safely.
Facing Exploitation in the Industry
Alade described incidents where executives appeared more interested in exploiting her than supporting her abilities. The harassment often occurred during professional engagements such as studio sessions, business meetings, and award events. She recounted being touched inappropriately by men in positions of power while still a teenager, leaving her shocked and unsure of how to respond.
These experiences left her questioning her career path, as repeated harassment created confusion and stress. Yet, she developed a survival strategy: pursue opportunities that were genuine and walk away from those that were unsafe or exploitative.
Turning Challenges Into Motivation
Alade credited her perseverance to a strong inner drive to succeed, recognizing that relying solely on others’ decisions would not suffice. She chose to take control of her own career path, breaking down barriers instead of waiting for opportunities to be handed to her. Through resilience and determination, she transformed early struggles into motivation, ultimately achieving a successful and respected career in music.
Raising Awareness and Inspiring Others
By sharing her story openly, Yemi Alade raises awareness about the sexual harassment challenges young women face in creative industries. Her journey encourages aspiring artists to navigate their careers with both caution and courage, demonstrating that resilience and self-advocacy can lead to meaningful success despite early obstacles.
