Adekunle Gold
Background information
Birth nameAdekunle Almoruf Kosoko
Also known asAdekunle Gold, AG Baby
Born (1987-01-28) 28 January 1987
Lagos State, Nigeria
OriginLagos State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • Songwriter
Years active2010–present
LabelsAfro Urban Inc, YBNL Nation (former), Def Jam Recordings
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 2019)​
Websiteadekunlegold.com

Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko (born 28 January 1987), known professionally as Adekunle Gold and AG Baby, is a Nigerian Afrobeats singer and songwriter currently signed to Def Jam Recordings.[1][2] He gained widespread attention after releasing the 2015 hit single "Sade", a highlife cover of One Direction's "Story of My Life".[3] He signed a record deal with YBNL Nation and released his 2015 debut studio album Gold, which debuted at number 7 on the Billboard World Albums chart. Gold was preceded by the release of three singles: "Sade", "Orente" and "Pick Up". Adekunle Gold revealed to Nigerian Entertainment Today that prior to signing with YBNL, he designed the label's official logo and completed other designs for Lil Kesh, Viktoh and Olamide.[4] In 2023, he released "Tequila Ever After", his fifth studio album and first under Def Jam.[5]

Education

He holds a Higher National Diploma in Arts and Design from Lagos State Polytechnic.[6]

Career

2010–2014: Career beginnings

While growing up, Adekunle developed interest in music while listening to songs by King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey. He became a member of his church's junior choir during his teenage years, and went on to write his first song at the age of 15.[7] In 2014, Adekunle went solo after disbanding from a music group he formed with a friend while in school. He was dubbed the "King of Photoshop" after posting an edited photoshop image of him hugging Tiwa Savage on social media platforms.[8] On 19 December 2014, he released "Sade", a cover of One Direction's "Story of My Life". The song rose to critical acclaim and was nominated for Best Alternative Song at The Headies 2015.[9][10]

2015–present: Gold

Adekunle Gold Performing at Felabration in 2017, UzomediaTV

After the release of "Sade", Adekunle released his first official single titled "Orente" through YBNL Nation after signing a music contract with the record label on 5 March 2015.[11][12] He was nominated in the Most Promising Act of the Year category at the 2015 City People Entertainment Awards.[13] On 18 July 2016, Adekunle Gold revealed the cover and track list of his debut studio album titled Gold. The album is a 16-track project, with musical production from Pheelz, Masterkraft, B Banks, Sleekamo, Oscar and Seyikeyz.[14] It was released on 25 July, three days before the original scheduled date of release.[15] Upon its release, it peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard World Album Chart for the week of 13 August 2016. Moreover, it was critically reviewed by contemporary music critics.[16][17] Following his departure from YBNL Nation due to the expiry of his contract, Adekunle Gold unveiled his band "The 79th Element" in reference to the atomic number of gold.[18] On 15 January 2018, Unity Bank unveiled Adekunle Gold as their brand ambassador.[19] Adekunle Gold Releases His Highly Anticipated Album 'Afro Pop Vol. 1' on 21 August 2020.[20]

On 4 February 2022, Adekunle Gold unleashed his long-awaited fourth studio album titled "Catch Me If You Can" containing 14 tracks, with guest appearances from Davido, Fatoumata Diawara, Lucky Daye, Stefflon Don, Foushee, and TY Dolla $ign.[21]

Furthermore, "Catch Me If You Can" album is nothing less than the best and music production credits includes: Seyifunmi, Davayo, Rymez, Lekka, TMXO, Tay Iwar, Blaise Beatz, Kali, Que Beats, and Spax.[22]

In March 2023, Adekunle Gold was signed to Def Jam Recordings. In a statement with Billboard, the CEO of Def Jam Recordings, Tunji Balogun announced that Adekunle Gold signed to Def Jam.[1][23][24][25]

Personal life

Adekunle married Simi in January 2019.[26] They had been dating for five years.[27] They had a daughter in May 2020.[28]

The singer was linked to accusations of infidelity with a popular video vixen, Teminikan. This was first mentioned on 21 March 2021 by a blogger known as GistLover, who posted the photo of the video vixen on the blog's Instagram page warning her to stay away from him. Screenshots also posted on the blogger's Instagram page on the same day both confirmed the blogger's accusation and implied that his wife Simi was aware of her husband's infidelities.[29]

On 15 July 2022, Gold revealed his lifelong battle with sickle cell disease, that inspired his song titled "5 Star".[30]

Discography

Albums

  • Gold (2016)
  • About 30 (2018)
  • Afro Pop Vol. 1 (2020)
  • Catch Me If You Can (2022)
  • Tequila Ever After (2023)

Selected singles

  • "Sade" (2014)
  • "Temptation" (2014)
  • "Orente" (2015)
  • "Pick Up" (2015)
  • "No Forget" feat Simi (2016)
  • "Ariwo Ko" (2016)
  • "Friend Zone" (2016)
  • "Nurse Alabere" (2016)
  • "Ready" (2016)
  • "My Life" (2016)
  • "Nurse Alabere" (2016)
  • "Friend Zone" (2016)
  • "Work" (2016)
  • "Beautiful Night" (2016)
  • "Fight For You" (2016)
  • "Sweet Me" (2016)
  • "Paradise" (2016)
  • "Call on me" (2017)
  • "Only Girl" feat Moelogo (2017)
  • "Money" (2017)
  • "Ire" (2018)
  • "Damn Delilah" (2018)
  • "Before You Wake Up" (2019)
  • "Young love" (2019)
  • "Kelegbe Megbe"
  • "Jore" feat Kizz Daniel (2020)
  • "Something Different" (2020)
  • "AG Baby" feat Nailah Blackman (2020)[31]
  • "It Is What It Is" (2021)
  • "Sinner" (2021)
  • "High" feat Davido (2021)[32]
  • "Mercy" (2022)
  • "5 Star" (2022)
  • "Party No Dey Stop" feat Zinoleesky (2023)[33]

Awards and nominations

Year Award ceremony Prize Recipient/Nominated work Result Ref
2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best New Act "Himself" Won
2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Song Pick Up Won
Best New Act to Watch Himself Won
The Headies Best Alternative Song "Sade" Won
2017 City People Entertainment Awards Album of the Year "Himself" Won
City People Entertainment Awards Collabo of the Year "Himself and Simi" Won
IARA Best African Music Artist "Himself" Won
2021 Net Honours Most Popular Musician Nominated [34]
Most Played RnB Song "Pami"

(DJ Tunez featuring Wizkid Adekunle Gold & Omah Lay)

 Nominated
2023 The Headies Songwriter of the Year Himself for (Simi – "Loyal") Won [35]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Mamo, Heran (14 March 2023). "Nigerian Afropop Singer Adekunle Gold Signs With Def Jam". Billboard. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  2. ↑ "I didn't lobby to be signed by Olamide – Adekunle Gold". Vanguard Newspaper. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  3. ↑ Tobi Akingbade (20 July 2018). "How Adekunle Gold went from being the 'King of Photoshop' to Africa's newest pop star". Metro. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  4. ↑ Kayode Badmus (21 August 2015). "I was involved with YBNL before Olamide signed me – Adekunle Gold". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 21 August 2015.
  5. ↑ https://guardian.ng/life/adekunle-gold-set-to-release-5th-album-tequila-ever-after/
  6. ↑ Alli, online (25 September 2015). "Adekunle Gold: From Royalty To Music". Daily Times of Nigeria. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  7. ↑ "Adekunle Gold Biography and Songs (Must Read)". Naija Quest. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  8. ↑ Mayowa, George (4 June 2015). "King Of Photoshop:Designer Adekunle Gold Plays Some Tricks With Toolz, Tonto Dikeh & Tiwa Savage! (Photos)". 360Nobs. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  9. ↑ Akan, Joey (30 September 2015). "Check out the complete nomination list". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  10. ↑ "Olamide Leads Headies 2015 Nominees". ThisDay Live Newspaper. 11 October 2015. Archived from the original on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  11. ↑ Channels Television (2 July 2015). "YBNL Act, Adekunle Gold Sings 'Orente'". Channels TV. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  12. ↑ Tayo, Ayomide O. (5 March 2015). "Rapper signs 5th artiste Adekunle Gold to YBNL imprint". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  13. ↑ George Kaydee (11 July 2015). "AWARDS: Full Nominee List Of City People Awards". Jaguda. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  14. ↑ "Are You Ready for Adekunle Gold's Album? See the Album Cover, Tracklist & Pre-Order it". BellaNaija. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  15. ↑ Adedayo Showemimo (25 July 2016). "Breaking! Adekunle Gold pulls a Beyonce, drops new album ahead of time". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  16. ↑ "Adekunle Gold's album debuts on Billboard music chart". The Cable. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  17. ↑ Tayo Sarumi (8 August 2016). "Album Review: Adekunle Gold – Gold". notJustOk. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  18. ↑ bellanaija.com (17 May 2017). "Adekunle Gold & The 79th Element! Singer unveils New Band | See Photos". BellaNiaja. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  19. ↑ Oluwatobi Ibironke (15 January 2018). "Adekunle Gold Signs Deal With Unity Bank". Tooxclusive. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  20. ↑ "Adekunle Gold Releases His Highly Anticipated Album 'Afro Pop Vol.'". 21 August 2020.
  21. ↑ Mayomikun (4 February 2022). "FULL ALBUM: Adekunle Gold – Catch Me If You Can". DripNaija.com.
  22. ↑ Topfella (4 February 2022). "Adekunle Gold – Catch Me If You Can Album Download". NaijaMusic.com.
  23. ↑ "Adekunle Gold signs with American label, Def Jam". Vanguard Newspaper. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  24. ↑ "Adekunle Gold signs with Def Jam, releases album in June". Punch Newspapers. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  25. ↑ "Nigerian Star Adekunle Gold Joins Def Jam Recordings". African Folder. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  26. ↑ Ademola Olonilua; Timileyin Akinkahunsi (12 January 2019). "Adekunle Gold, Simi's white wedding date yet to be fixed –Manager". Punch. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  27. ↑ Olowolagba, Fikayo (17 January 2019). "We dated for 5 years – Adekunle Gold confirms getting married to Simi". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  28. ↑ "Adekunle Gold, Simi welcome first child | Premium Times Nigeria". 7 June 2020.
  29. ↑ Ajanma, Soomto (21 March 2021). "Adekunle Gold accused of cheating". koko.ng. Soomtee. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  30. ↑ Punch, Newspaper (15 July 2022). "Inspiration behind 5 Star". Punch Newspaper. Archived from the original on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  31. ↑ "DOWNLOAD Adekunle Gold Ft. Nailah Blackman – AG Baby". lokcitymusic.com. Archived from the original on 18 July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  32. ↑ "Davido features on Adekunle Gold's new single, 'High'". Pulse ng. 3 September 2021. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  33. ↑ Adeayo, Adebiyi (15 March 2023). "Adekunle Gold kicks off 2023 with 'Party No Dey Stop' featuring Zinoleesky". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  34. ↑ "Net Honours – The Class of 2021". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  35. ↑ Arogbonlo, Israel (4 September 2023). "Full list: See 2023 Headies Award winners". Tribune Online. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
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