Popular Nigerian singer Yemi Alade has accused two Lagos-based radio stations, Cool FM Nigeria and CloutAfrica FM, of blacklisting her music for nearly a year after she failed to attend their event.
The 35-year-old artist made the allegations in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), where she named the stations’ managers and criticized their actions.
Missed Event Sparks Feud
According to Yemi Alade, the fallout began in December 2023 when she was invited to perform at an event organized by Cool FM.
She was unable to attend but said she personally reached out to apologize in January 2024.
Despite her efforts, she claims the stations ignored her and decided to blacklist her music as punishment.
“Since December 2023, I personally reached out in January. You are still refusing to play my music and giving my team a hard time,” she wrote.
The singer alleged that her entire music catalogue was removed from the stations’ playlists, preventing DJs and presenters from playing her songs, both old and new.
“You Are Not Gatekeepers, and You Are Not God”
In her posts, Yemi Alade directly called out the stations’ managers, Mr. Serge Noujaim and Mr. Joseph Adamu, accusing them of acting as self-proclaimed “gatekeepers” in the Nigerian music industry.
“Mr Serge and Mr Joseph, this life is not hard like that. WE SEE YOU… I SEE YOU @cloutafrica @CoolFMNigeria. This world is a small village. My God will fight for me,” she wrote.
She expressed her disbelief at what she described as an unjustified embargo on her music and accused the managers of trying to intimidate her.
“You’re not gatekeepers, and you are not God, Mr. Serge Noujaim and Mr. Joseph Adamu,” she stated emphatically.
“Playing God”
Yemi Alade went on to criticize the lack of communication and professionalism from the stations.
She described their actions as an attempt to “play God” in her career and said they failed to show the common decency to address any misunderstandings.
“The common decency to reach out and clear up any misunderstanding caused by sheer carelessness on your part for a whole year, and your next move is to place an embargo on my songs? Remove my whole catalogue,” she said in another tweet.
Public Reaction
Fans and industry insiders have taken to social media to discuss the allegations, with many expressing support for Yemi Alade.
Some condemned the alleged actions of the radio stations, accusing them of abusing their influence in the music industry.
“This is why the music industry needs more transparency. No artist deserves this treatment,” one fan tweeted.
Others called for an official response from the radio stations to address the accusations.
A Recurring Issue in the Industry
Yemi Alade’s accusations have reignited conversations about the power dynamics between Nigerian artists and media platforms.
The music industry in Nigeria has often faced criticism for alleged favoritism and gatekeeping by media houses and promoters.
This is not the first time a high-profile artist has spoken out about such practices, but Yemi Alade’s case highlights the impact these disputes can have on an artist’s career and public perception.
A Call for Change
In her posts, Yemi Alade called for accountability and fairness in the music industry.
She urged those in positions of influence to act with integrity and respect for artists’ work.
“This world is a small village. My God will fight for me,” she declared, signaling her determination to stand her ground.
