King of Queens (album)

King of Queens is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Yemi Alade. It was released by Effyzzie Music Group on 2 October 2014. Yemi Alade collaborated with producers such as Selebobo, Sizzle Pro, Shady Bizniz, Philkeyz, Young D, GospelOnDeBeatz, DIL, OJB Jezreel, Mr Chidoo, Fliptyce, EL Mcee and Beat Nation. The album was preceded by three singles—"Johnny", "Tangerine" and "Kissing". It features guest appearances and skits from Bovi, R2Bees, Phyno, Chidinma, DIL, Selebobo and Diamond Platnumz. Yemi Alade promoted the album by touring several African countries, including Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. The album's deluxe edition was released in November 2014, and contains French versions of songs originally performed in English. Its cover art was unveiled on 21 October 2014. According to the music platform A Nation of Billions, King of Queens sold over 100,000 copies.

King of Queens
Standard edition cover artwork; deluxe edition cover artwork features a different image of Yemi Alade
Studio album by Yemi Alade
Released	2 October 2014
Recorded	2013–2014
Genre	Afropop reggae R&B
Length	70:00
Label	Effyzzie Music Group
Producer	Various Koribo Harrison (exec.) Taiye Aliyu (exec.) Selebobo Sizzle Pro Shady Bizniz Philkeyz Young D GospelOnDeBeatz DIL OJB Jezreel Mr Chidoo Fliptyce EL Mcee Beat Nation
Yemi Alade chronology
King of Queens (2014) Mama Africa (2016)
Singles from King of Queens
"Johnny" Released: 14 October 2013 "Tangerine" Released: 14 April 2014 "Kissing" Released: 10 September 2014 "Taking Over Me" Released: 21 January 2015 "Temperature" Released: 13 March 2015 "Duro Timi" Released: 30 July 2015

Background and composition

Yemi Alade recorded the album between 2013 and 2014. In May 2014, Effyzzie Music Group revealed the album's title and told Nigeria Entertainment Today it would be released in July 2014.[1] The Daily Times of Nigeria later reported the album would be released in September 2014.[2] Yemi Alade collaborated with producers such as Selebobo, Sizzle Pro, Shady Bizniz, Philkeyz, Young D, GospelOnDeBeatz, DIL, OJB Jezreel, Mr Chidoo, Fliptyce, EL Mcee and Beat Nation. King of Queens was preceded by three singles—"Johnny", "Tangerine" and "Kissing". It features guest appearances and skits from Bovi, R2Bees, Phyno, Chidinma, DIL, Selebobo and Diamond Platnumz.[3] Yemi Alade promoted the album by touring several African countries, including Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.[4][5] The album's deluxe edition was released in November 2014 and contains French versions of songs originally performed in English. Its cover art was unveiled on 21 October 2014.[6] According to the music platform A Nation of Billions, King of Queens sold over 100,000 copies.[7]

King of Queens is a mixture of Afropop, reggae and R&B. In the slow-tempo reggae track "Why", Yemi Alade explores her versatility. She infuses her personality in "Pose". "Duro Timi" is an R&B song with a pop undertone. In the slow cuddle song "Catch You", Yemi Alade creates sexual rhythm and raps towards the end. "Money" is a reincarnation of "Johnny". Hausa vibes are included on "I Like". "Sugar" is an electro pop song while "Fall in Love" is a ballad that pays tribute to R&B of the 80s.[8][9]

Singles

The Selebobo-produced track "Johnny" was released on 14 October 2013 as the album's lead single.[10] The music video for "Johnny" was uploaded to Yemi Alade's Vevo channel on 3 March 2014. It was directed in Ogun State by Clarence Peters and features cameo appearances from Bovi, Alexx Ekubo and Beverly Osu.[11] The French version of "Johnny" was released on 20 May 2014 and was included as a bonus on the album. By releasing the song, Yemi Alade became the first Nigerian musician to release a song entirely performed in French.[12]

The album's second single "Tangerine" was released on 14 April 2014.[13] The song was also produced by Selebobo. The accompanying music video for "Tangerine" was also directed by Clarence Peters; it was uploaded to Vevo on 8 July 2014.[14] Prior to releasing the video, Effyzzie Music Group unveiled footage and shots from the video shoot.[5] The album's third single "Kissing" was released on 10 September 2014. It was produced by Fliptyce and is considered a groovy mid-tempo love song.[9] On 16 October 2014, Effyzzie Music Group released the music video for "Kissing", which was directed by Sesan in London.[15]

"Taking Over Me" was released as the album's fourth single. Its music video was directed by Justin Campos and Taiye Aliyu.[16] On 13 March 2015 Yemi Alade released the album's fifth single "Temperature"; the song features vocals by British-Nigerian singer DIL. The accompanying music video for "Temperature" was directed by Ovié Étseyatsé.[17] "Duro Timi" was released as the album's sixth single. Its music video was shot and directed in London by Ova.[18]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Pulse Nigeria
TooXclusive

King of Queens received generally mixed reviews from music critics. Ayomide Tayo of Pulse Nigeria awarded the album 3.5 stars out of 5, praising Yemi Alade for "stamping her authority on so many genres" and commending her for "crafting local pop tracks and delivering slow love songs with a regal glow."[8] Al Yhusuff and Jim Donnett granted the album 3 stars out of 5, calling it "decent" and saying "pressures and some careless choices might have swayed a couple of decisions" on it.[19]

Accolades

King of Queens was nominated for Best R&B/Pop Album and Album of the Year at The Headies 2015.[20] The album was also nominated for Album of the Year at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[21]

Year	Awards ceremony	Award description(s)	Results
2015	The Headies	Best R&B/Pop Album	Nominated
		Album of the Year	Nominated
	Nigeria Entertainment Awards	Album of the Year	Nominated

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Intro" (featuring Bovi)	Bovi Ugboma	—	0:36
2.	"Johnny"	Yemi Eberechi Alade	Selebobo	3:56
3.	"Why"	Alade	OJB Jezreel	3:52
4.	"Pose" (featuring R2Bees)	Alade Rashid Mugeez Faisal Hakeem	Young D	3:21
5.	"Duro Timi"	Alade	Sizzle Pro	3:44
6.	"Catch You"	Alade	Shady Bizniz	4:00
7.	"King (Koq) [Interlude]"	Alade	Fliptyce	2:13
8.	"Money"	Alade	GospelOnDeBeatz	3:25
9.	"I Like"	Alade	EL Mcee Beat Nation OJB Jezreel	3:56
10.	"Taking Over Me" (featuring Phyno)	Alade Azubuike Nelson	GospelOnDeBeatz	3:29
11.	"Sugar"	Alade	Philkeyz	3:18
12.	"Selense" (featuring Chidinma)	Alade Chidinma Ekile	Mr Chidoo	3:13
13.	"Fall in Love"	Alade	GospelOnDeBeatz	3:54
14.	"Temperature" (featuring DIL)	Alade Dil Anthony Ajufo	DIL	4:00
15.	"Kissing"	Alade	Fliptyce	3:45
16.	"Tangerine" (featuring Selebobo)	Alade Udoka Chigozie Oku	Selebobo	3:46
17.	"Daddy Oyoyo"	Alade	Fliptyce	3:41

Deluxe edition

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
18.	"Johnny (French Version)"	Alade	Selebobo	3:59
19.	"Kissing (Remix)" (featuring Diamond Platnumz)	Alade Nasibu Juma	Fliptyce	3:45
20.	"Looking at Me"	Alade	Young D	3:43

Notes

• "—" denotes a skit

Personnel

Credits adapted from the back cover of King of Queens.

• Yemi Alade – primary artist, writer, performer
• Koribo Harrison – executive producer
• Taiye Aliyu – executive producer
• Tpiano – mixing, mastering
• Clu Briz – mixing, mastering
• Selebobo – featured artist, writer, production, mixing, mastering
• Sizzle Pro – production, mixing, mastering
• Shady Bizniz – production, mixing, mastering
• Philkeyz – production, mixing, mastering
• Young D – production, mixing, mastering
• GospelOnDeBeatz – production, mixing, mastering
• DIL – featured artist, writer, production, mixing, mastering
• OJB Jezreel – production
• Mr Chidoo – production
• Fliptyce – production
• EL Mcee – production
• Beat Nation – production
• Bovi Ugboma – skit
• R2Bees – featured artist, writer
• Azubuike Nelson – featured artist, writer
• Chidinma Ekile – featured artist, writer
• Nasibu Juma – featured artist, writer
• August Udoh – photography
• UnravelGfx – album art

Release history

Region	Date	Version	Format	Label	Ref
Various	2 October 2014	Standard	CD digital download	Effyzzie Music Group	[22]

References

1. Alonge, Osagie (25 May 2014). "Yemi Alade names debut album 'King of Queens'..." Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 25 September 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
2. Opeoluwani, Akintayo (9 September 2014). "Yemi Alde's 'King of Queens' Coming Up!". Daily Times of Nigeria. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
3. "YEMI ALADE UNVEIL THE COVER OF HER DEBUT ALBUM "KING OF QUEENS"". TMZ Africa. 8 October 2014. Archived from the original on 21 November 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
4. Anozie, Egole (11 July 2014). "Yemi Alade tours Kenya". Vanguard. Archived from the original on 7 September 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
5. Akande, Victor (6 July 2014). "Yemi Alade shoots Tangerine video". The Nation. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
6. Ayomide, Tayo (21 October 2014). "Singer To Release 'King Of Queens' Deluxe Version". Pulse. Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
7. Akua Ofei (10 May 2017). "HOW YEMI ALADE RUN THE WORLD". A Nation of Billions. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
8. Tayo, Ayomide (23 October 2014). "Yemi Alade - King Of Queens". Pulse. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
9. "New Music: Yemi Alade – Kissing". Bellanaija. 10 September 2014. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
10. "Yemi Alade – Johnny (Prod. By Selebobo)". NotjustOk. 14 October 2013. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
11. Donnett, Jim (4 March 2014). "Teen Y! Music Video: Johnny by Yemi Alade". YNaija. Archived from the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
12. "Yemi Alade – Johnny (French Version)". NotjustOk. 20 May 2014. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
13. "Yemi Alade – Tangerine (Prod. Selebobo)". NotjustOk. 14 April 2014. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
14. Babatunde, Omololu (9 July 2014). "Yemi Alade 'Tangerine'". Okay Africa. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
15. Ade-Unuigbe, Desola (16 October 2014). "New Video: Yemi Alade – Kissing". Bellanaija. Archived from the original on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
16. "VIDEO: Yemi Alade – Taking Over Me ft. Phyno". NotjustOk. 3 February 2015. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
17. Sanusi, Hassan (13 March 2015). "VIDEO: Yemi Alade feat. Dil – 'Temperature'". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
18. "Yemi Alade shoots video for 'Duro Timi'". Pulse. January 13, 2015. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
19. Donnett Jim (14 October 2014). "ALBUM REVIEW: Yemi Alade – King of Queens #KOQ". Tooxclusive. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
20. Adeleke, Shayo (30 September 2015). "The Headies Awards 2015– Full Nominees List". 36NG. Archived from the original on 21 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
21. "The Nigeria Entertainment Awards Announce 2015 Nominees". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 3 June 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
22. "King of Queens by Yemi Alade". itunes.apple.com. iTunes. 2 October 2014. Archived from the original on 6 December 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.