Adekunle Gold

Adekunle Kosoko (born 28 January 1987), known professionally as Adekunle Gold, is a Nigerian highlife singer, songwriter and graphic designer.[1] He gained widespread attention after releasing the 2015 hit single "Sade", a highlife cover of One Direction’s "Story of My Life".[2] In 2015, he signed a record deal with YBNL Nation and released his 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.[3]

Adekunle Gold
Background information
Birth nameAdekunle Kosoko
Born (1987-01-28) 28 January 1987
Lagos State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instruments
Years active2010present
Associated acts
Websitewww.adekunlegold.com

Early life and education

Adekunle Kosoko was born into the Kosoko royal family of Lagos State, Nigeria on the 28th of January, 1987. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Arts and Design from Lagos State Polytechnic.[4]

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.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7][8]

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 March 5, 2015.[9][10] He was nominated in the Most Promising Act of the Year category at the 2015 City People Entertainment Awards.[11] 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.[12] It was released on 25 July, three days before the original scheduled date of release.[13] Upon its release, it peaked at #7 on the Billboard World Album Chart for the week of 13 August 2016. Moreover, it was critically reviewed by contemporary music critics.[14][15] 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.[16] On the 15th of January, 2018, Unity Bank unveiled Adekunle Gold as their brand ambassador.[17] Adekunle Gold Releases His Highly Anticipated Album ‘Afro Pop Vol. 1’on the 21 August 2020.[18]

Personal life

Adekunle married Simi in a close-knit ceremony in January 2019.[19] It was later revealed that they had been dating for five years.[20] They welcomed a daughter Adejare Kosoko Deja in May 2020.[21]

Discography

Albums

  • Gold (2016)
  • About 30 (2018)
  • Afro Pop Vol. 1 (2020)

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)[22]

Awards and nominations

Year Award ceremony Prize Recipient/Nominated work Result
2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Song Pick Up Won
Best New Act to Watch Himself Won
2016 The Headies Best Alternative Song "Sade" Won
2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best New Act "Himself" Won
2017 City People Entertainment Awards Album of the Year "Himself" Won
2017 City People Entertainment Awards Collabo of the Year "Himself and Simi" Won
2017 IARA Best African Music Artist "Himself" Won

See also

References

  1. "I didn't lobby to be signed by Olamide – Adekunle Gold". Vanguard Newspaper. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Alli, online (25 September 2015). "Adekunle Gold: From Royalty To Music". Daily Times of Nigeria. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  5. "Adekunle Gold Biography and Songs (Must Read)". Naija Quest. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  6. 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.
  7. Akan, Joey (30 September 2015). "Check out the complete nomination list". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  8. "Olamide Leads Headies 2015 Nominees". ThisDay Live Newspaper. 11 October 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-10-15. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  9. Channels Television (2 July 2015). "YBNL Act, Adekunle Gold Sings 'Orente'". Channels TV. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  10. Tayo, Ayomide O. (5 March 2015). "Rapper signs 5th artiste Adekunle Gold to YBNL imprint". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  11. George Kaydee (11 July 2015). "AWARDS: Full Nominee List Of City People Awards". Jaguda. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  12. "Are You Ready for Adekunle Gold's Album? See the Album Cover, Tracklist & Pre-Order it". BellaNaija. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  13. Adedayo Showemimo (25 July 2016). "Breaking! Adekunle Gold pulls a Beyonce, drops new album ahead of time". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  14. "Adekunle Gold's album debuts on Billboard music chart". The Cable. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  15. Tayo Sarumi (8 August 2016). "Album Review: Adekunle Gold – Gold". notJustOk. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  16. bellanaija.com (17 May 2017). "Adekunle Gold & The 79th Element! Singer unveils New Band | See Photos". BellaNiaja. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  17. Oluwatobi Ibironke (15 January 2018). "Adekunle Gold Signs Deal With Unity Bank". Tooxclusive. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  18. https://m.guardian.ng/life/adekunle-gold-releases-his-highly-anticipated-album-afro-pop-vol-1/
  19. Ademola Olonilua; Timileyin Akinkahunsi (12 January 2019). "Adekunle Gold, Simi's white wedding date yet to be fixed –Manager". Punch. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  20. Olowolagba, Fikayo (2019-01-17). "We dated for 5 years - Adekunle Gold confirms getting married to Simi". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
  21. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/music/396615-adekunle-gold-simi-welcome-first-child.html
  22. "DOWNLOAD Adekunle Gold Ft. Nailah Blackman – AG Baby". lokcitymusic.com. Retrieved 2020-07-18.
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