King of Queens is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Yemi Alade. It was released by Effyzzie Music Group on 2 October 2014. The album was produced by Selebobo, Sizzle Pro, Shady Bizniz, and OJB Jezreel, among others. King of Queens was supported by the singles "Johnny", "Tangerine", "Kissing", "Taking Over Me", "Temperature" and "Duro Timi". The album features guest appearances and skits from Bovi, R2Bees, Phyno, Chidinma, DIL, Selebobo and Diamond Platnumz.
| King of Queens | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Standard edition cover artwork; deluxe edition cover artwork features a different image of Yemi Alade | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 2 October 2014 | |||
| Recorded | 2013–2014 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 70:00 | |||
| Label | Effyzzie Music Group | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Yemi Alade chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from King of Queens | ||||
| ||||
Alade promoted King of Queens by touring several African countries, including Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. The album's deluxe edition, which was released in November 2014, includes French renditions of songs previously performed in English. The cover art for the deluxe edition was unveiled on 21 October 2014. According to the music platform A Nation of Billions, King of Queens sold over 100,000 copies.
Background and composition
editAlade recorded King of Queens between 2013 and 2014. In May 2014, Effyzzie Music Group revealed the album's title and told Nigeria Entertainment Today that it would be released in July 2014.[1] The Daily Times of Nigeria later reported that the album would be released in September 2014.[2] 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 features guest appearances and skits from Bovi, R2Bees, Phyno, Chidinma, DIL, Selebobo and Diamond Platnumz.[3] 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 renditions 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", Alade explores her versatility and infuses her personality on the record "Pose". "Duro Timi" is an R&B song with a pop undertone. In the slow cuddle song "Catch You", 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 1980s.[8][9]
Singles
editThe Selebobo-produced track "Johnny", which was released on 14 October 2013, serves as the album's lead single.[10] The music video for the song was uploaded to Alade's Vevo channel on 3 March 2014. It was filmed in Ogun State by Clarence Peters and features cameo appearances from Bovi, Alexx Ekubo and Beverly Osu.[11] The French translation of "Johnny" debuted on May 20, 2014 and appeared as a bonus track on the album. At the time of the song's release, Alade became the first Nigerian artist to release a song performed enitrely in French.[12]
On 14 April 2014, Alade released the album's second single "Tangerine", which was also produced by Selebobo.[13] The song's music video was also filmed by Peters and uploaded to Vevo on 8 July 2014.[14] Prior to releasing the video, Effyzzie Music Group unveiled footage 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, Alade released the album's fifth single "Temperature", which features vocals by British-Nigerian singer DIL. The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Ovié Étseyatsé.[17] "Duro Timi" was released as the album's sixth single, and its music video was recorded in London by Ova.[18]
Critical reception
edit| 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 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
editKing 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]
Track listing
edit| 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) |
| 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 |
| 3:56 |
| 10. | "Taking Over Me" (featuring Phyno) |
| GospelOnDeBeatz | 3:29 |
| 11. | "Sugar" | Alade | Philkeyz | 3:18 |
| 12. | "Selense" (featuring Chidinma) |
| Mr Chidoo | 3:13 |
| 13. | "Fall in Love" | Alade | GospelOnDeBeatz | 3:54 |
| 14. | "Temperature" (featuring DIL) |
| DIL | 4:00 |
| 15. | "Kissing" | Alade | Fliptyce | 3:45 |
| 16. | "Tangerine" (featuring Selebobo) |
| Selebobo | 3:46 |
| 17. | "Daddy Oyoyo" | Alade | Fliptyce | 3:41 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18. | "Johnny (French Version)" | Alade | Selebobo | 3:59 |
| 19. | "Kissing (Remix)" (featuring Diamond Platnumz) |
| Fliptyce | 3:45 |
| 20. | "Looking at Me" | Alade | Young D | 3:43 |
- Notes
- "—" denotes a skit
Personnel
editCredits 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
edit| Region | Date | Version | Format | Label | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 2 October 2014 | Standard | Effyzzie Music Group | [22] |
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Anozie, Egole (11 July 2014). "Yemi Alade tours Kenya". Vanguard. Archived from the original on 7 September 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
- ^ a b Akande, Victor (6 July 2014). "Yemi Alade shoots Tangerine video". The Nation. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Tayo, Ayomide (23 October 2014). "Yemi Alade - King Of Queens". Pulse. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ a b "New Music: Yemi Alade – Kissing". Bellanaija. 10 September 2014. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
- ^ "Yemi Alade – Johnny (Prod. By Selebobo)". NotjustOk. 14 October 2013. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Yemi Alade – Johnny (French Version)". NotjustOk. 20 May 2014. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
- ^ "Yemi Alade – Tangerine (Prod. Selebobo)". NotjustOk. 14 April 2014. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
- ^ Babatunde, Omololu (9 July 2014). "Yemi Alade 'Tangerine'". Okay Africa. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
- ^ Ade-Unuigbe, Desola (16 October 2014). "New Video: Yemi Alade – Kissing". Bellanaija. Archived from the original on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
- ^ "VIDEO: Yemi Alade – Taking Over Me ft. Phyno". NotjustOk. 3 February 2015. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Yemi Alade shoots video for 'Duro Timi'". Pulse. January 13, 2015. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "The Nigeria Entertainment Awards Announce 2015 Nominees". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 3 June 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^ "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.