Mama Africa (Yemi Alade album)

Mama Africa (also known as Mama Africa: The Diary of an African Woman) is the second studio album by Nigerian singer Yemi Alade. It was released on March 25, 2016, by Effyzzie Music Group. The album is the follow-up to her debut studio album King of Queens (2014). It features guest appearances from P-Square, Sarkodie, Sauti Sol, Flavour N'abania, Rotimi Keys, DJ Arafat and Selebobo. The album was produced by GospelOnDeBeatz, DJ Coublon, Selebobo, Philkeyz, BeatsByEmzo, Masterkraft, Rotimi Keys and Mr. Chidoo. It was supported by six singles: "Na Gode", "Do As I Do", "Ferrari", "Kom Kom", "Africa" and "Tumbum". The album's deluxe edition features collaborations with South African musicians Bucie and AKA. Mama Africa won World Beat at the 2017 Independent Music Awards.

Mama Africa
Standard edition cover artwork; deluxe edition cover artwork features a different image of Yemi Alade
Studio album by
Yemi Alade
ReleasedMarch 25, 2016 (2016-03-25)
Genre
Length54:00
LabelEffyzzie Music Group
Producer
Yemi Alade chronology
King of Queens
(2014)		 Mama Africa
(2016)		 Mama Afrique
(2017)
Singles from Mama Africa
  1. "Na Gode"
    Released: July 10, 2015
  2. "Do as I Do"
    Released: December 8, 2015
  3. "Ferrari"
    Released: March 9, 2016
  4. "Kom Kom"
    Released: May 18, 2016
  5. "Africa"
    Released: July 5, 2016
  6. "Tumbum"
    Released: November 9, 2016

Background

Yemi Alade announced that the album would be released in March 2016.[1] She disclosed its title was Mama Africa and said it would focus on the strengths and weaknesses of an African woman.[1] The album combines elements of Afropop, highlife, R&B, coupé-décalé, hip-hop and pop.[2][3] Yemi Alade said recording the album was a struggle because she was constantly traveling to different countries everyday.[3] She also said she recorded the album to "capture all of Africa on one CD".[3] Yemi Alade told The Fader magazine she collaborated with artists from West Africa, East Africa and South Africa.[3] She enlisted GospelOnDeBeatz, DJ Coublon, Selebobo, Philkeyz, BeatsByEmzo, Masterkraft, Rotimi Keys and Mr. Chidoo to produce the album.[4] Mama Africa features guest appearances from P-Square, Sarkodie, Sauti Sol, Flavour N'abania, Rotimi Keys, DJ Arafat and Selebobo.[4]

It was made available for pre-order on iTunes a week before its official release.[5] Yemi Alade announced that proceeds from the sale of the album will go to the Feed a Child charity initiative.[4] The album's deluxe edition was released on April 6, 2016, and features collaborations with South African musicians Bucie and AKA.[6] Mama Africa charted in Germany, Malaysia and France.[7]

Composition

The album opens with "Na Gode", an energetic song that adulates God.[8] In "Tumbum", Yemi Alade laments about an undependable lover who likes Nkechi's Jollof but prefers her delicious beans.[8] The house-influenced record "Tonight" features vocals by P-Square.[9] "Kom Kom" borrows from Onyeka Onwenu's "Iyogogo". The Latin-inspired track "Marry Me" is a blend of Nigerian pidgin, Igbo and salsa.[9] The highlife song "Ferrari" has been described as "blatantly materialistic" because of lyrics like "Oga I don tire to stay Mainland/ E no go bad if you buy me mansion for Banana Island/ Open supermarket for me for Netherlands."[8] In "Kelele", Yemi Alade channels King Sunny Adé. In "Ego", she grapples with her need for happiness and the good life. "Nakupenda" contains backup vocals and drumbeat sounds.[9]

Singles

The album's lead single "Na Gode" was released on July 10, 2015.[10] It translates to Thank You in Hausa and preaches the message of gratitude and giving.[10] The song was produced by Yemi Alade's frequent collaborator Selebobo.[10] The music video for "Na Gode" was directed by Paul Gambit and released on November 4, 2015.[11] It features cameo appearances from Skales and Baci.[11] A Swahili version of "Na Gode" was released on January 8, 2016.[12] In an interview on the Homeboyz Radio Morning Show, Yemi Alade said Bien-Aimé of Sauti Sol convinced her to record the song in Swahili.[13]

The DJ Arafat-assisted track "Do As I Do" was released on December 8, 2015, as the album's second single.[14] The song was described as a fusion of Afropop and Coupé-Décalé.[15] "Ferrari" was released as the album's third single on March 9, 2016.[16] It was produced by DJ Coublon and features strings by Nigerian guitarist Fiokee.[16] Yemi Alade debuted the song at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.[16] TooXclusive described the song as a highlife song that "talks about love as an action word."[16] The Clarence Peters-directed music video for "Ferrari" was released on March 25, 2016.[17] Nigerian actor Kunle Remi plays Yemi Alade's love interest in the video.[17] Prior to releasing the video, Yemi Alade released a teaser clip of it on March 14.[18]

The Flavour N'abania-assisted track "Kom Kom" was released on May 18, 2016, as the album's fourth single.[19] Its music video was shot and directed by Clarence Peters.[19] The album's fifth single "Africa" was released on July 5, 2016.[20] It features vocals by Kenyan band Sauti Sol and was produced by BeatsByEmzo.[20] The music video for "Africa" was directed by Ovie Etseyatse and contains clips of different streets and iconic towers in African cities, as well as pictures of renowned leaders fighting for independence.[21]

The Selebobo-produced track "Tumbum" was released on November 9, 2016, as the album's sixth single.[22] The music video for the song was directed by Paul Gambit and features appearances from Ime Bishop Umoh and Beverly Osu.[22] In the video, Yemi Alade plays a restaurant cook who serves up tasty jollof and fufu in a rural Nigerian community.[23] In a chat with The Fader magazine in November 2016, Yemi Alade said the video was filmed after several weeks of dance rehearsals.[23] "Tumbum" was featured in Just Dance 2018, an interactive dance rhythm game developed by Ubisoft.[24]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Pulse Nigeria[9]
TooXclusive[25]

Mama Africa received mixed reviews from music critics. A writer for Pulse Nigeria awarded the album 3.5 stars out of 5, commending Yemi Alade for improving "significantly from her last solo album with mundane love expressions and stories seemingly turned up a notch."[9] Ade Tayo of Simply Africa Music said with the album's release, Alade "has ample material to use for performance purposes on any platform, across Africa."[26] Adaobi Nezianya of Circulation magazine praised Alade for "curating the right sounds from diverse places to craft an excellent album."[2]

In a less enthusiastic review, Music in Africa's Oris Aigbokhaevbolo said the album has "zero replay value" and further stated that numerous songs on it "carry the specifically vapid materialism of the stereotypical Lagos girl."[27] Wilfred Okiche of 360nobs described the album as "one big dance party" and said its title is "only a ruse to thread her influences and copy catting into a cohesive effort."[8] Okichie also wrote that the album is "as Nigerian pop as they come".[8] Temitope Delano of TooXclusive granted it 2.5 stars out of 5, calling it "boring" and saying it is a "far cry from what was expected from this brilliant artiste."[25]

Accolades
Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Results
2017 Independent Music Awards[28] World Beat Won

Track listing

Credits adapted from the back cover of Mama Africa.[29]

Mama Africa – Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Tumbum"Yemi Eberechi AladeSelebobo3:03
2."Tonight" (featuring P-Square)
  • Alade
  • Paul Okoye
  • Peter Okoye
GospelOnDeBeatz3:53
3."Kom Kom" (featuring Flavour N'abania)
  • Alade
  • Chinedu Okoli
Masterkraft3:55
4."Baby's Back"AladeDJ Coublon3:22
5."Marry Me"AladeSelebobo3:28
6."Africa" (featuring Sauti Sol)
  • Alade
  • Bien-Aimé Baraza
  • Willis Chimano
  • Savara Mudigi
  • Polycarp Otieno
BeatsByEmzo3:56
7."Ferrari"AladeDJ Coublon3:26
8."Do As I Do" (featuring DJ Arafat)
  • Alade
  • Arafat Muana
Selebobo3:16
9."Kelele" (featuring Rotimi Keys)
  • Alade
  • Rotimi Akinfenwa
Rotimi Keys3:21
10."Ego" (featuring Sarkodie)
  • Alade
  • Michael Owusu Addo
Masterkraft3:56
11."Mama"AladeMr. Chidoo3:22
12."Dorcas"AladeSelebobo3:51
13."Nakupenda"AladeRotimikeys3:30
Mama Africa – Bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
14."Na Gode" (featuring Selebobo)
  • Alade
  • Udoka Chigozie Oku
Selebobo3:26
15."Koffi Anan (Freestyle)"AladePhilkeyz3:25
Total length:54:00
Mama Africa – Deluxe edition[30]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."Mama Africa"AladeGospelOnDeBeatz3:50
17."Mama Africa (Remix)" (featuring AKA)
  • Alade
  • Kiernan Jarryd Forbes
GospelOnDeBeatz3:50
18."Waka Waka" (featuring Bucie)
  • Alade
  • Busisiwe Nolubabalo Nqwiliso
Kamera3:08
19."Sugar n Spice"AladeGospelOnDeBeatz3:43
20."All Day"AladeEl Emcee3:44
21."Na Gode (Swahili Version)"AladeSelebobo3:26

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's back cover and AllMusic.[31]

  • Yemi Alade – primary artist
  • Koribo Harrison – executive producer
  • Taiye Aliyu – executive producer
  • Udoka Oku – producer, featured artist
  • Rotimi Keys – producer, featured artist
  • Philkeyz – producer, featured artist
  • GospelOnDeBeatz – producer
  • Sunday Nweke – producer
  • Akwuba Ugochukwu – producer
  • BeatsByEmzo – producer
  • Chidozie Ekeh - producer
  • Kamera - producer
  • El Emcee - producer
  • P-Square – featured artist
  • Flavour N'abania – featured artist
  • Sauti Sol – featured artist
  • DJ Arafat – featured artist
  • Sarkodie – featured artist
  • AKA – featured artist
  • Bucie – featured artist
  • Mix Monster – mixing, mastering
  • Suka Sounds – mixing, mastering
  • Tee Piano – mixing, mastering
  • Olaitan Dada – mixing, mastering
  • Fiokee – strings
  • Onazi Ogaba (Unravel GFX) – art design
  • Emmanuel Oyeleke – photography

Release history
Region Date Version Format Label Ref
Various March 25, 2016 Standard
Effyzzie Music Group [32]

References
  1. "Singer to release 2nd album "Mama Africa", March 2016". Pulse Nigeria. October 28, 2015. Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  2. Adaobi Nezianya (6 August 2016). "Mama Africa by Yemi Alade". Circulation Magazine. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  3. Alex Macpherson (November 9, 2016). "How Yemi Alade Hustled Her Way To Become The Queen Of Afrobeats". The Fader. Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  4. Sakoh, Makale (25 March 2016). "Yemi Alade Releases Her Sophomore Album "Mama Africa"". Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  5. Solanke, Abiola (12 April 2016). "Mama Africa album available for pre-order". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  6. Solanke, Abiola (4 April 2016). "Singer set to release deluxe edition of her "Mama Africa" album". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  7. Akua Ofei (May 10, 2017). "How Yemi Alade Run the World". A Nation of Billions. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  8. Wilfred Okiche (29 April 2016). "Yemi Alade's Mama Africa: Diary Of An African Woman Is A Capable Dance Record". 360 Nobs. Archived from the original on 30 April 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  9. "Yemi Alade provides continental dancing on "Mama Africa"". Pulse Nigeria. 25 March 2016. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  10. Deji S (10 July 2015). "New Music: Yemi Alade feat. Selebobo – Na Gode". Bella Naija. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  11. "Singer shoots 'Na gode' video with Selebobo, Skales, others [Photos]". Pulse Nigeria. 3 November 2015. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  12. "Na Gode (Swahili Version) - Single by Yemi Alade". Apple Music. 8 January 2016. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  13. "Yemi Alade: Sauti Sol's Bien made me sing in Swahili". SDE. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  14. Segun Oleniju (December 8, 2015). "Yemi Alade – Do As I Do ft. DJ Arafat". 36 NG. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  15. "Yemi Alade ft. DJ Arafat – Do As I Do (Prod. By Selebobo)". NotJustOk. December 8, 2015. Archived from the original on February 22, 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  16. "Yemi Alade – "Ferrari" (Prod by DJ Coublon, Strings by Fiokee)". TooXclusive. 9 March 2016. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  17. "New Video Alert: Yemi Alade – Ferrari". Guardian Nigeria. 25 March 2016. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  18. "Singer teases video for her newest single 'Ferrari'". Pulse Nigeria. 14 March 2016. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  19. "'Kom kom' ft Flavour [Video]". Pulse Nigeria. 18 May 2016. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  20. "'Africa' ft Sauti Sol [Video]". Pulse Nigeria. 5 July 2016. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  21. Amina Wako (7 July 2016). "Yemi Alade features Sauti Sol in new hit". Nairobi News. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  22. Idoko Salihu (8 November 2016). "Yemi Alade shares photos of expected music video "Tumbum"". Premium Times. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  23. Owens Myers (9 November 2016). "Watch Yemi Alade's Witty "Tumbum" Video". The Fader. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  24. Fisayo Okare (21 September 2017). "Yemi Alade scored a Video Game Feature with Creators of Assassin's Creed". The Native Magazine. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  25. Temitope Delano (9 May 2016). "Album Review: Yemi Alade – "Mama Africa"". TooXclusive. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  26. Ade Tayo (April 16, 2016). "Album Review!! Yemi Alade's Mama Africa is Good for Pop Music with Ethnic Leanings". Simply African Music. Archived from the original on February 22, 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  27. Oris Aigbokhaevbolo (11 October 2016). "Yemi Alade — Mama Africa". Music In Africa. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  28. "The 15th Independent Music Awards Winners". The Independent Music Awards. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  29. Damolat (1 March 2016). "Yemi Alade drops official TrackListing for Mama Africa Album". My Music Africa. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  30. "Yemi Alade Features AKA & Bucie on "Mama Africa" [Deluxe Edition], View Fierce Artwork". TooXclusive. 4 April 2016. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  31. "Mama Africa: The Diary of an African Woman by Yemi Alade". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  32. "Mama Africa (The Diary of an African Woman)". Apple Music. 25 March 2016. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
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