Yemi Alade to Record Theme Song for Upcoming Animated Series “Iyanu” Premiering in 2025

Afropop sensation Yemi Alade is set to record and perform the theme song for the highly anticipated animated superhero series Iyanu, set to premiere in 2025.

The series, a Lion Forge Entertainment production, is being developed in collaboration with Cartoon Network and Max. It is based on the acclaimed graphic novel Iyanu: Child of Wonder by award-winning Nigerian creator and filmmaker Roye Okupe and published by Dark Horse Comics, known for titles like “The Umbrella Academy” and “Hellboy.”

Renowned for her powerful celebration of African heritage, Yemi Alade, often called “Mama Africa,” boasts an impressive career with four albums, one EP, and numerous hit singles. Her latest album, Rebel Queen, was released on July 26. Alade’s collaboration with Beninese icon Angelique Kidjo on the Grammy-winning album Mother Nature further solidified her status as one of Africa’s top Afropop female artists.

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. 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, said Roye Okupe, the author, who is also an executive producer of the series.

Iyanu will be accessible to U.S. audiences via Cartoon Network and Max, while viewers in 44 African countries can tune in through Showmax. The series narrates the adventures of an orphan determined to save her people from an ancient curse.

The series will feature an all-African voice cast, led by Serah Johnson as Iyanu, alongside Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Stella Damasus, Blossom Chukwujekwu, and Shaffy Bello.

With its roots deeply embedded in Nigerian culture and mythology, Iyanu is poised to captivate audiences across the globe, enriched further by Yemi Alade’s musical contribution.

Read: Content Creator Kingsley Adegwu, Arrested During Peaceful Protest in Lagos

About The Author

Chinalurumogu Eze

author

See author's posts