Nigerian singer-songwriter Yemi Alade has released a new single, “Don’t Be Shy”, featuring Kenyan artist Bien-Aimé, according to a statement issued by her label, Effyzzie Music, and distributed by Anyiko PR. The release marks the first single from Alade’s upcoming self-titled album, “IT’S YEMI ALADE”, which is scheduled to drop later this year.

The track was produced by Nigerian producer De Yaso alongside Kenyan producer Kobby Worldwide, the statement said, positioning the song as a cross-border collaboration between Nigerian and Kenyan music talent. The release also adds to a growing list of joint projects between West and East African artists, as streaming platforms and touring circuits continue to reward regional partnerships that can scale beyond home markets.

For Kenya’s music business, Bien’s appearance on a high-profile West African release reflects the continued export push by Kenyan acts seeking wider African and global audiences. Bien has built a solo catalogue following his career with Kenyan band Sauti Sol, and has increasingly featured on collaborations that target multi-market listenership across Africa and the diaspora.

In remarks included in the press release, Alade said the collaboration came together easily. “I have always loved the soulfulness of Bien’s music and working with him on this record was so easy,” Yemi Alade said. She added that the track focuses on “emotion and connection” and that in the song “we are both being playful, confident and honest, in expressing feelings when you’re into someone.”

Bien said the session benefited from creative alignment from the outset. “Working with Yemi was an incredible experience because the energy felt natural from the beginning,” Bien-Aimé said in the statement. He described the song as “about confidence, chemistry and enjoying the moment,” adding: “We want you to just feel good and loosen up when this song comes on.”

The release builds on earlier creative links between Alade and the Sauti Sol camp. The press release cited their past work, including Alade and Sauti Sol’s collaboration “Africa”, as well as subsequent cross-interpretations, including a Swahili version of Alade’s “Nagode” and Alade’s take on Bien’s “All My Enemies Are Suffering,” which her team said was included on the song’s Remix EP.

While the statement did not disclose commercial terms, marketing budgets, or projected streaming targets, such collaborations can influence revenue flows across publishing, master recordings, and performance rights, particularly as African music consumption increasingly shifts to digital platforms. For Kenyan stakeholders—artists, producers, managers and labels—high-visibility features can also translate into higher booking fees, brand interest, and additional licensing opportunities, although outcomes depend on sustained audience conversion beyond a single release.

Alade’s team also linked the single to her next major milestones, saying the forthcoming album will arrive “ahead of a major showcase in Paris, France.” No specific date for the Paris event was provided in the statement.

Next steps for the project are expected to include additional singles and promotional appearances tied to the album rollout later this year. Effyzzie Music and Anyiko PR did not provide further details on the album’s tracklist, release date, or distribution strategy in the press release.