Adekunle Gold

Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko, professionally known as Adekunle Gold, was born on January 28, 1987, in Lagos State, Nigeria. His early interest in music developed through listening to artists like King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey. He honed his craft by joining his church’s junior choir and writing his first song at 15. Prior to his music career taking off, he earned a Higher National Diploma in Arts and Design from Lagos State Polytechnic and worked as a graphic designer. Adekunle Gold initially gained public attention as the “King of Photoshop” for his manipulated celebrity images on social media in 2014.

His music career began to formalize in 2014 when he went solo after leaving a music group he had formed in school. On December 19, 2014, he released “Sade,” a highlife cover of One Direction’s “Story of My Life.” This single quickly achieved critical acclaim, leading to a record deal with YBNL Nation in March 2015. His debut studio album, “Gold,” released in 2016, debuted at number 7 on the Billboard World Albums chart. The album featured production from Pheelz, Masterkraft, B Banks, Sleekamo, Oscar, and Seyikeyz, and included hit singles like “Sade,” “Orente,” and “Pick Up.” In 2023, he signed with Def Jam Recordings, releasing his fifth studio album, “Tequila Ever After,” under the label.

Throughout his career, Adekunle Gold has consistently evolved his sound, releasing subsequent albums such as “About 30” (2018), “Afro Pop Vol. 1” (2020), and “Catch Me If You Can” (2022). He launched his own band, “The 79th Element,” after his departure from YBNL Nation. Beyond music, Adekunle Gold has become an advocate for sickle cell disease awareness, revealing his lifelong battle with the condition in 2022, which inspired his song “5 Star.” He has also engaged in collaborations and partnerships with various brands and institutions, including a collaboration with New York University in 2025 focusing on sickle cell awareness.