‘SHAWA SHAWA’ is the exciting and thought-provoking new single from afropop Queen and global music icon YEMI ALADE as the renowned Nigerian musician begins to tease towards her 2026 album and accompanying world tour. Releasing on November 13 via Effyzzie Music, ‘Shawa Shawa’ caps off an eventful 2025 for Yemi Alade, which began with her first solo GRAMMY Award nomination, two cover stories with Forbes Africa and OkayAfrica, birthed a series of chart-topping and fan-favourite hit singles including ‘Worry’ featuring Fave’, ‘My Padi’, and ‘Mbali’, and culminated in the launch of her bold cosmetics brand Yem Beauty. It also sets the stage for her highly anticipated seventh studio album arriving in 2026, accompanied by her second world tour in less than three years.
Written and composed by Yemi Alade, and produced by longtime collaborator and Grammy-nominated musician and audio engineer DeeYasso (Oxlade, Dave, Kizz Daniel), ‘Shawa Shaw’ is a bright and colourful slice of afropop, with the timeless tilt of calypso and highlife music, wrapped in Yemi’s signature vocal prowess and captivating performance. At its core, ‘Shawa Shawa’ is a joyful anthem that moves bodies and mind in equal measure, with Yemi threading humour and heart through lyrics that speak to morality, social perception, and cultural norms around the oldest profession in the world. Born from laughter-filled studio sessions, the track is a witty cut that entertains without being explicit, celebrating African musical foundations while feeling immediate and brand new.
Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Shawa Shawa’, and how the track came about, Yemi Alade says, “Life happens all around us every day and this song merely just touches on the oldest profession in the world and ‘Shawa Shawa’ takes you back to the basics of celebrating the roots of African culture. Many stories have been told through this medium and that was exactly my goal when I wrote this song”. With its radiant soundscape, unforgettable chorus, and relatable perspectives, ‘Shawa Shaw’ reaffirms Yemi Alade’s evolution as a prolific storyteller and a standard-bearer for African pop music. The groove is warm and percussive, the hooks instant, and the storytelling candid, inviting listeners to dance while reflecting on the everyday truths that shape community life across the continent and far beyond.
STREAM + DOWNLOAD ‘SHAWA SHAWA’ HERE
MORE ABOUT YEMI ALADE
With an award-winning discography that already includes six critically acclaimed albums, four stellar EPs, and a plethora of essential hit singles such as ‘Johnny’, ‘Baddie’, ‘Africa’, ‘Oh My Gosh’, ‘Ferrari’, and ‘Tomorrow’, renowned Nigerian musician YEMI ALADE is revered as the biggest female afropop artist on the African continent. Fondly known as ‘Mama Africa’, Yemi Alade’s deep-rooted love for her African heritage adds a unique charm to her artistry. Her incredible music and electrifying live performances have captivated audiences all over the globe, from sold-out world tours to surpassing one billion streams, to exclusive performances for the British Royal Family and the United Nations.
The recognition and accolades bestowed upon Yemi Alade illustrate her immense impact on African music and global music at large. She is a GRAMMY Award winner, solo GRAMMY nominee, two-time Latin GRAMMY Award nominee, two-time BET Award nominee, two-time MOBO Award nominee, and the first African artist to be nominated for an MTV Europe Music Award. She also comes with two consecutive ‘Best Female Artist’ wins at the MTV Africa Music Awards, and two HEADIES Awards under her belt. Beyond her musical achievements, Yemi Alade’s commitment to making a positive impact is evident through her ambassadorial roles for UNDP and the ONE Campaign, as well as her dedication to philanthropy through her own charity, the James and Helen PathWay Foundation.
While she is often lauded for her live performances, Yemi Alade’s massive popularity extends far beyond the stage, with over one billion global streams of her music, while her hit single ‘Johnny’ remains one of the most viewed videos from an African female artist ever, a testament to her worldwide appeal. Yemi Alade’s 2019 collaboration with Beyoncé on the compilation album The Lion King: The Gift marks one of afrobeats’ global breakout moments, while her collaboration with Angélique Kidjo on the 2022 album Mother Nature earned Yemi her first GRAMMY Award. Her multifaceted talents and dedication to her craft make Yemi Alade a powerhouse in the global music industry, captivating audiences worldwide and leaving a lasting impression as the #1 female afropop artist on the continent.
