Adekunle Gold

Few artists, in Afrobeats or otherwise, write with as much irresistible charm as Adekunle Gold. On Tequila Ever After, his upcoming debut album for Def Jam, the Nigerian singer-songwriter infuses his signature Afropop sound with Afrobeats, R&B, and Amapiano to concoct a unique blend of real-world experiences that reflect his current state of mind. It’s like opening up a bottle of tequila and chatting with an old friend. The teenage Adekunle discovered his love for music when he became the lead singer in his church choir. In 2016, Adekunle put out his debut single, “Sade,” a highlife love song. Just two weeks after its release, the viral hit caught the attention of one of Africa’s most influential artists, rapper and record executive Olamide, who signed him to his music imprint, YBNL Nation. Since then, Adekunle has released four albums: Gold (2016), which debuted at #7 on the Billboard World Albums Chart; About 30 (2018), shortlisted for a Best World Album Grammy; Afro Pop Vol. 1 (2020), which has amassed a staggering 680 million-plus streams and spawned the global hits “Okay” and “Something Different”); and Catch Me If You Can (2022). Adekunle sees this new album as a chance to get what he deserves, while still staying fully in his own unique lane. “I want my music to be your companion, which is what I’ve done since 2016,” he says. “I want to uplift people and show that nothing can hold them back. Anything is possible, and my story is a sweet one to tell.”