Yemi Alade Signs on for Iyanu Theme Song

Nigerian Afropop star Yemi Alade has signed on to record and perform the theme song for Lion Forge Entertainment’s upcoming animated series Iyanu.

The main title theme song is a collaboration between Alade, Lion Forge Entertainment, Alcon Sleeping Giant and Femi Agunbiade, the lead composer of the series. Alade is known as “Mama Africa” for her passionate celebration of African heritage.

Alade won a Grammy Award in 2022 for her collaboration with Beninese musician Angelique Kids on the album Mother Nature, which took home the prize for best global music album. Alade is also the first African female Afropop star to hit over 100 million views on YouTube and VEVO with her hit single “Johnny.” In 2019, Alade was featured on “Don’t Jealous Me,” a track from Beyoncé’s compilation album The Lion King: The Gift.

Iyanu is an adaptation of Dark Horse Comics (The Umbrella Academy, Hellboy) and YouNeek Studios’ graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder by Nigerian creator and filmmaker Roye Okupe. In the series, an orphan must uncover the mystery behind her newfound power in order to save her people from an ancient curse. It takes place in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland.

Lion Forge Entertainment is producing Iyanu, which is expected to launch in the U.S. and across Africa in 2025. U.S. viewers will be able to watch the series on Cartoon Network and Max. In Africa, the show will be available in 44 countries via Showmax.

Okupe serves as an executive producer, as well as writer and director on multiple episodes. Story editor Brandon Easton (Transformers: War for Cybertron: Siege, Marvel’s Agent Carter) heads the writers’ room, which also includes Emmy Award-winning writer Kerri Grant (Doc McStuffins; Ada Twist, Scientist).

“I’ve been a big fan of Yemi Alade for over a decade, so I nearly fell out of my chair when I heard she would be a part of Iyanu,” Okupe said. “I’ve gone from blasting her hit single ‘Johnny’ in my car in 2014 to listening to her stunning lyrics on the Iyanu theme song. This is an absolute dream come true!”