Yemi Alade won the Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series, or Documentary at the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) for her soundtrack “You Are”, featured in the acclaimed animated series Iyanu. The award was announced during the star-studded ceremony in Lagos on Sunday night.
The song triumphed over a competitive lineup of nominees, including Ghana’s Oscar Heman-Ackah for “Igho’le Trap Mix Version” (To Kill a Monkey), Egypt’s Tamer Hosny and Reda Elbahrawy for “El Ma2as” (The Start), Senegal’s Ismaël Lo for “Timpi Tampa”, Nigeria’s Tolu Obanro for “Tori Ife” (Seven Doors), and Tunisia’s Kafon for “Saatte Ragouj” (The Last of the Mohicans).
Iyanu, the series behind the award-winning track, has been praised for bringing African folklore and mythology to life. Produced by Lion Forge Entertainment, the show follows a courageous young girl, Iyanu, who discovers extraordinary powers and embarks on a journey to confront ancient threats while embracing her destiny. Its rich storytelling and stunning animation have captured audiences across Africa and beyond, with premieres on platforms such as Showmax.
Yemi Alade’s “You Are” perfectly complements the series, blending contemporary Afrobeats with traditional African rhythms to create a soundtrack that is both empowering and memorable. The song has helped elevate Iyanu’s profile globally, showing that African stories paired with world-class music can resonate far and wide.
