Mama Africa (Yemi Alade) and legendary Beninese Grammy award winner Angelique Kidjo collaborate to celebrate Africa in a music video "Shekere," after Yemi Alade featured the Legend on her latest album, Woman of Steel.
The string-filled song was said to be a personal request by Kidjo for Yemi Alade to revamp her classic “Wombo Lombo”.
The shekere is a tambourine-like instrument played in various regions of the continent. Both Alade and Kidjo deliver feel-good lyrics in English and Yoruba. The upbeat song also includes interpolations of Kidjo's 1996 classic "Wombo Lombo," as noted in Pulse Nigeria.
The music video is a colourful celebration of the continent that opens with a shot of Maasai warriors. The Ovie Etseyatse-directed song sees the artists highlighting various African cultures through dance and dress. Alade can be seen in various beaded looks and Ankara prints, while Kidjo dons an eye-catching Zulu headdress.
Kidjo won her fourth Grammy last month, during which she gave an acceptance speech about the importance of supporting the new generation of artists emerging from the continent. "The new generation of artists coming from Africa is going to take you by storm and the time has come," said the artist.
Alade's previous video for "Remind You" featured star Beninese actor Djimon Hounsou. She dropped Woman of Steel in August of last year, and hailed Kidjo as one of her biggest musical inspirations in an interview with OkayAfrica, also adding that "Shekere" had been two years in the making. "It's my favourite because I finally got to work with someone that inspired me while growing up and still inspires me, and is still achieving heights that I want to achieve as an African woman," said Alade.
