Adekunle Gold

Adekunle Gold, born Adekunle Kosoko on January 28, 1987, in Lagos, Nigeria, is one of the leading voices in modern Afropop. He initially worked as a graphic designer before gaining attention through cover songs posted online, which led to his signing with Olamide's YBNL Nation. His breakout single «Sade» in 2015, built around a folk-influenced highlife sound, established him as a distinctive songwriter blending indigenous Yoruba melodies with contemporary pop sensibilities.

His debut album Gold (2016) cemented his reputation, and after leaving YBNL to found his own imprint, he released About 30 (2018), broadening his sound with more Afrobeats and R&B textures. Over subsequent albums he continued evolving, incorporating elements of pop, R&B, and hip-hop while retaining his melodic, story-driven approach to songwriting, with songs like «Something Different», «Okay», and «It Is What It Is» showing his range.

Adekunle Gold is regarded as a key figure in the generation of Nigerian artists who pushed Afrobeats and Afropop toward global recognition, known for thoughtful lyricism, genre-blending production, and collaborations with major names across the African music scene.