In a candid moment on Martell’s Swift Conversations, Yemi Alade opened up about the women who quietly but powerfully shaped the foundation of her artistry.
For the Afropop superstar, three names stood out: Beyoncé, Omawumi, and Waje. Each of them, she said, poured something different into the artist she eventually became.
Beyoncé represented the possibility of greatness without borders. Yemi recalled how watching Queen Bey’s precision, discipline, and electrifying stagecraft taught her that an African woman could hold any stage in the world, not just confidently, but dominantly. Beyoncé became a reminder that excellence is a decision, not an accident.
Omawumi, on the other hand, embodied pure Nigerian strength. Her boldness, vocal power, and fearless authenticity resonated deeply with Yemi Alade.
She admired how Omawumi carried herself with full-chested confidence, unfiltered emotion, and zero apologies, qualities Yemi would later weave into her own larger-than-life performances.
Then there was Waje, the voice that could melt even the toughest hearts. Yemi spoke of how Waje’s emotional depth and vocal richness taught her the beauty of vulnerability in music.
Through Waje, she learned that powerful music isn’t only about loudness or range but about truth, soul, and the courage to feel.
For Yemi Alade, these women were more than inspirations; they were templates. Blueprints. Proof that female artists could stand tall in a male-dominated industry and still shine on their own terms.
Their influence helped shape her confidence, widen her ambition, and fuel her belief that she could build a global footprint of her own, and she has.
Watch her speak below:
Yemi Alade speaks about looking up to the likes of Beyonce, Omawumi & Waje in the early stages of her career
— (Via Martell’s Swift Conversations) pic.twitter.com/Qm8Btj8t1i
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) November 20, 2025