- Full Name: Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko
- Stage Name: Adekunle Gold (AG Baby)
- Date of Birth: January 28, 1987
- Place of Birth: Lagos, Nigeria
- Genre: Afrobeats, Highlife, Afro-fusion
- Breakthrough Song: Sade (2015)
- Spouse: Simi (Nigerian singer-songwriter)
- Major Award: Best New Act, Nigeria Entertainment Awards (2015)
- Active Years: 2010 – Present
1. Full Name and Stage Name
Adekunle Gold was born Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko (also styled as Omoba Adekunle Kosoko), signifying his membership in the royal Kosoko family of Lagos State. Professionally, he is known as Adekunle Gold and sometimes adopts the alias AG Baby.
2. Early Life and Background
Adekunle hails from Lagos State, Nigeria, specifically the areas of Ifako-Agege and Ikotun. He was raised in a royal lineage as part of the Kosoko family and is the nephew of Nollywood veteran Prince Jide Kosoko.
During his upbringing, he was musically influenced by legends like King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey, whose songs he listened to often. As a teenager, he joined his church’s junior choir, and wrote his first song at age 15.
3. Education
Adekunle completed his primary and secondary education in Lagos through public schools. He later studied at Lagos State Polytechnic, earning a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Arts and Design, sometimes noted as Arts & Industrial Design. He excelled in his studies and reportedly graduated as best in his class.
4. Career Beginnings
Adekunle’s early foray into music began with his participation in a church choir and songwriting as a teenager. While in school, he formed a music group called “The Bridge”, which released a few songs before disbanding. Parallel to his musical interests, he built a reputation in graphic design, earning the nickname “King of Photoshop” after creating an edited image of himself with Tiwa Savage that caught public attention. He also designed the logo for Olamide’s YBNL Nation label, as well as visuals for Lil Kesh and Viktoh, prior to signing to the label himself.
5. Rise to Fame / Breakthrough Moment
Adekunle’s breakthrough came in December 2014, with the release of “Sade”, a highlife cover of One Direction’s “Story of My Life”. The song garnered massive airplay and was re-released by YBNL in March 2015. Subsequently, he signed with YBNL Nation in March 2015 and released follow-up singles like “Orente” and “Pick Up”, which helped him build momentum.
His debut studio album, Gold, was officially released in July 2016 under YBNL, featuring production from top Nigerian producers and the hit singles that preceded it. The project debuted at #7 on the Billboard World Albums Chart, cementing his status as a rising star in Nigerian music.
6. Major Achievements and Awards
Over the years, Adekunle Gold has received numerous accolades recognizing his musical talent and artistic versatility. Early in his career, he won Best New Act at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and followed that with awards for Best Song (“Pick Up”) and Best New Act to Watch in 2016.
That same year, he also won Best Alternative Song at The Headies for his breakthrough track “Sade”. In 2017, he was honored with Album of the Year and Collabo of the Year at the City People Entertainment Awards, and also received recognition as the Best African Music Artist from IARA. In 2023, he claimed Songwriter of the Year at The Headies for his work on Simi’s “Loyal”.
In 2024, he received the Outstanding Achievement in Music in Film award at the TurnTable Music Awards for his contributions to the films Book of Clarence and Christmas in Lagos.
7. Style and Personality
Adekunle Gold’s artistic identity is defined by the fusion of Afrobeats, soul, folk, and highlife, while his creative expression continues to evolve with each project. He emphasizes authenticity in his songwriting, making music that aligns with his energy and current feelings rather than conforming to expectations.
His creative process is organic and unforced—he refuses to rush his work and ensures that he is genuinely satisfied before releasing anything. Visually, Adekunle projects a refined sense of fashion, often blending traditional Nigerian attire with contemporary style.
He is known for his Adiré outfits, beaded jewelry, and ever-evolving fashion choices that mirror his musical growth. He embraces the pressures of fame with grace, recognizing the loss of privacy but choosing to express himself primarily through his music rather than on social media.
8. Personal Life
Adekunle Gold married fellow singer-songwriter and producer Simi in January 2019, after dating for several years. They had been in a relationship for about five years prior to their marriage. Together they welcomed their daughter, Adejare (Deja), in May 2020.
In July 2022, Adekunle Gold publicly revealed that he has lived with sickle cell disease since childhood—a personal battle that inspired his song “5 Star” and spurred his growing advocacy around the condition. He is also a passionate supporter of Manchester United Football Club.
9. Philanthropy and Social Impact
Demonstrating his commitment to giving back, Adekunle Gold has made tangible contributions to education and health advocacy. In July 2025, he awarded ₦250,000 each to five university graduates who earned First Class or strong Second Class Upper degrees—an initiative that resonated widely for encouraging academic excellence among youth.
Additionally, through the Adekunle Gold Foundation, he has championed awareness and support for sickle cell disease, drawing from his own experience to inspire and educate others.
10. Controversies and Public Criticism
While Adekunle Gold generally maintains a positive public image, he was implicated in a controversy in March 2021 when a blogger alleged infidelity involving a popular videographer named Teminikan—claiming that his wife Simi was aware of the situation. However, beyond this incident, there appear to be no major ongoing public disputes or continued scandals associated with him.
11. Net Worth and Lifestyle
There are no reliable, publicly sourced figures available regarding Adekunle Gold’s net worth or a detailed breakdown of his assets, such as real estate or vehicles. While some speculative content exists online, these figures are not verifiable and therefore excluded to ensure accuracy.
What is consistently evident, however, is that Adekunle Gold enjoys a lifestyle marked by artistic freedom and carefully curated personal style, rather than ostentatious displays of wealth.
12. Recent Activities / Current Projects
Adekunle Gold continues to be creatively active. In mid-2025, he teased the release of new music with the caption “COCO MONEY IS YOURS NOW!” signaling that a track titled “Coco Money” is out or imminent. He also shared behind-the-scenes footage from a production called Big Fish, writing: “The calm before I cause the chaos”—hinting at an upcoming visual or concert project.
Additionally, he recently delivered a motivational gesture, awarding ₦250,000 each to five university graduates with top honors, encouraging academic excellence and drawing widespread praise.
13. Influence and Legacy
Adekunle Gold’s legacy is rooted in his fusion of Afrobeats, highlife, soul, and Afro-pop, along with his transformative journey from graphic designer to global musician. His deeply authentic storytelling and expressive music have broadened Afrobeats’ emotional and lyrical depth.
By sharing his personal journey with sickle cell disease and using his platform to raise awareness, he has redefined the role of African artists as changemakers.
14. Social Media and Online Presence
Adekunle Gold maintains a strong digital presence. He actively posts on Instagram, where he promotes new music, shares glimpses of his creative process, and appears in stylized shots reflecting cultural and pop-culture influences.
One recent post showcased a fashionable photo that made waves in African pop-culture spaces. He also engages with fans—addressing them humorously or supportively—and maintains a friendly presence on Facebook, reflecting an engaged and responsive online persona.
15. Quotes and Personal Statements
From a 2021 interview, Adekunle Gold shared:
“The world is yours.”
He encouraged listeners to pursue joy, opportunity, and growth—urging people to go where you are happy; go where you grow; go where you thrive. This reflects his ethos of intentional living and authentic artistry. He also acknowledged his wife’s influence on his creativity, saying she’s the first person he bounces ideas off, and described his daughter as a “stabilizing force.”
16. Interesting Facts
- Adekunle Gold is not only a musician but initially gained recognition for his graphic design work; he even designed the logo for YBNL Nation before signing with the label.
- He challenged his own songwriting discipline during the making of his fifth album, composing 50 songs and narrowing them down to around 18–19 tracks.
- His track “Party No Dey Stop”, released in March 2023 featuring Zinoleesky, debuted at #1 on Nigeria’s Top 100 chart, broke streaming and airplay records, and was ranked among the best Afropop songs of 2023 by major global outlets.
17. Conclusion
Adekunle Gold remains one of Nigeria’s most compelling and multidimensional artists. From his roots as a gifted designer to his now globally recognized music career, he consistently blends creativity with authenticity.
His recent activities—new music teasers, philanthropy, and sustained social engagement—demonstrate a committed artist who values substance over show. As he pushes Afrobeats into new territories, he does so with heart and intention, leaving a legacy that extends beyond melodies.
