Yemi Alade Calls Out Cool FM and Clout Africa for Blacklisting Her Music

Nigerian music sensation Yemi Alade has recently gone viral on social media after accusing two major media organisations, Cool FM and Clout Africa, of blacklisting her music. In a series of passionate tweets on her official X account, the Grammy-nominated artist revealed her frustration, claiming that her entire catalogue had been removed from their stations for over a year.

Yemi Alade’s public outcry stems from an incident in December 2023, when she reportedly missed an event organised by Cool FM and Clout Africa. Despite her efforts to apologise and reach out to the leadership of both organisations, including a personal phone call to the bosses, her music was still withheld. According to her, the organisations refused to forgive her, even though the event in question was free. She described the situation as one of “fake people feeling like small gods” and expressed her belief that the issue had gone unresolved due to their personal grievances.

In her tweet, she wrote:
“Take down my whole catalog from your stations @CoolFMNigeria and @cloutafrica…. God go still give me food. You’re beefing an artist for 1 full year, over your event. I didn’t go, too. I apologised and even called your oga, him dey form oga no even reply my text.”

She continued, “My team and I have traveled round the world, met with Presidents and many important people… if there is a problem, we resolve, but @CoolFMNigeria and @cloutafrica dey form say dem no dey forgive for free show?”

Yemi Alade further stated that her attempts to resolve the issue were met with silence, and that the refusal to play her music was unjust. “Since December 2023… I personally reached out in January… still, you are refusing to play my music and give my team a hard time. YOU’RE NOT GATEKEEPERS, and YOU ARE NOT GOD.”

Social media users quickly reacted to Yemi’s explosive posts, with opinions divided. Some fans rallied behind her, praising her for standing her ground, while others questioned her decision to skip the event in the first place. One fan tweeted, “Yemi Alade is a very hardworking artist, and if you see how she’s loved all over Africa, you go know say she no small at all.” Another said, “The music world is really dark, imagine what the younger ones are going through if this can also happen to Yemi.”

Others questioned the appropriateness of Yemi’s response, with one user commenting, “So you didn’t go for an event but went to some other event and now come to drag them for taking down your song from their catalogue? Them forgive you but no forget.”

Despite the mixed reactions, many fans expressed their loyalty to Yemi, declaring that her talent and hard work would continue to shine, regardless of the actions of the media outlets. One fan said, “God has got her, and she has been doing well herself. Thank God say man no be God.”

This public spat between Yemi Alade and two major Nigerian media organisations has sparked a broader conversation about the power dynamics in the music industry, the importance of forgiveness, and the role of media outlets in shaping an artist’s career.

As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that Yemi Alade’s determination and passion for her music will not be silenced by the actions of a few individuals. The singer, known for her empowering anthems and successful international career, remains a powerful voice in African music.