Adekunle Gold built a career out of turning old-school highlife into something entirely his own. He started out designing YBNL’s logo, long before the label ever signed him as an artist. Today he is a Def Jam recording artist, married to fellow singer Simi. He is also one of Nigeria’s more honest public figures about his own life.
| Date of Birth | January 28, 1987 |
|---|---|
| Age | 39 years |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Occupation | Singer, Songwriter |
| Real Name | Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko |
| Birthplace | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Alma Mater | University of Lagos |
| Genre | Urban Highlife, Afropop |
| Record Label | Def Jam Recordings (formerly YBNL Nation) |
| Spouse | Simi (m. 2019) |
| Children | Deja (2020), Adeifemi (2026) |
| Years Active | 2014-present |
| Known For | "Sade," "Orente," "Pick Up," Tequila Ever After |
| Notable Awards | AFRIMA Revelation of the Year (2016); Headies Alternative Song of the Year (2016) |
| Brand Deals | The Macallan (brand ambassador, 2026) |
Alan Alda
Creflo Augustus Dollar Jr.Biography
Adekunle Gold was born Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko on January 28, 1987, in Lagos, Nigeria. He grew up in Ajegunle, in a mixed-faith household. His father was Muslim, but he let his children attend church too. Adekunle Gold found his love for music there, watching the choir every Sunday.
His family traces back to the Kosoko royal house of Lagos Island. In an interview with One54 Africa, he said his uncle currently holds the Kosoko throne, and that the family palace still stands on Lagos Island. He has also lived with sickle cell disease since childhood, something he has spoken about publicly for years.
He studied art and industrial design at the University of Lagos, majoring in graphics. That skill became his way into the music industry. Before any label signed him, he used to design artwork for other artists, including Lil Kesh and Viktoh. He also designed YBNL Nation’s own logo.
He picked his stage name in 2008. He has said that he was praying for one when he heard a preacher at a youth conference say, three times in a row, “you can’t substitute brass for gold.” He took it as a sign and made it his name.
Career
His big break came in 2015. His highlife cover of One Direction’s “Story of My Life,” titled “Sade,” became a viral hit and caught Olamide’s attention. He signed to Olamide’s YBNL Nation label that year. His debut album, “Gold,” followed soon after and reached number 7 on the Billboard World Albums chart.
He calls his sound “urban highlife.” It blends old-school highlife guitar with pop, electronic, folk, and R&B. He built on that formula across five more albums: “About 30” in 2018, “Afro Pop, Vol. 1” in 2020, “Catch Me If You Can” in 2022, “Tequila Ever After” in 2023, and “Fuji” in October 2025.
“Fuji” was a 15-track album featuring Davido, Lojay, 6lack, and the Soweto Gospel Choir, among others. He followed it with a deluxe edition, “Fuji Xtra,” in May 2026, adding new tracks with Olamide and with Simi.
“Tequila Ever After” marked a new chapter. It was his first album released under Def Jam Recordings, after he signed with the label in 2023. He called the deal a “full circle moment.” A Def Jam executive had tried to sign him years earlier, before that executive even joined the label.
His work has earned real recognition. He won Revelation of the Year at the 2016 AFRIMA Awards. He also won Alternative Song of the Year at the 2016 Headies for “Sade.” In April 2026, luxury whisky brand The Macallan named him its brand ambassador in Nigeria, tied to the launch of its Timeless Collection.
He has also written for other major artists. In an interview with One54 Africa, he said Beyoncé’s team reached out to him to write for her Lion King project. He wrote a song called “Smile” around the same time his father died in Lagos. He said the song felt too personal to give away, so he submitted it late on purpose. Beyoncé’s team passed on it, and he kept the song for himself.
Personal Life
Adekunle Gold married fellow Nigerian singer Simi in a private ceremony on January 9, 2019. The two are one of Nigerian music’s most visible couples, and they have built much of their public life together since.
They welcomed their first child, a daughter named Adejare, known as Deja, on May 30, 2020. In January 2026, Adekunle Gold posted about “Double Trouble,” a message several outlets read as a twins announcement. Simi later confirmed on Instagram that their second child, a son, was born on March 10, 2026. In May 2026, Adekunle Gold directly addressed the twins rumor and said it was false. The couple held their son’s dedication ceremony in August 2026, naming him Adeifemi Oba Ajani Kosoko.
In September 2026, Adekunle Gold said genotype compatibility shaped his decision to marry Simi. He has sickle cell disease himself, and he said he checked Simi’s genotype early on, before things got serious. He said he would not have gone ahead with the marriage if she had been AS or SS, since that pairing raises the risk of sickle cell disease in their children.
He runs the Adekunle Gold Foundation to support other sickle cell patients. The foundation holds regular medical outreach events in Lagos, reaching several hundred people at a time with free healthcare and drugs. In 2025, it launched a program that gave 1,000 people with sickle cell free health insurance, done in partnership with the Lagos State government.
That same month, he gave his account of a case tied to his family. Someone had spread fake news online about his daughter’s death. He reported it to the authorities, and a court sentenced the person to two years in prison or a fine. He said he stood by that outcome, and that he chose to report it rather than confront the person himself.
He has also been open about a scare from his time living in the United States. He said telecoms provider AT&T sent him a warning, by both email and a physical letter. AT&T said it had detected him watching a show through an unauthorized streaming site. The company treated it as a first offense and warned him not to repeat it. He said the letter changed how he used such sites right away, since it showed him his online activity was being tracked.
Net Worth
Adekunle Gold’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $2 million. That figure is built from his Def Jam recording deal, six studio albums’ worth of streaming and touring income, and his brand ambassador deal with The Macallan.
His YBNL years already gave him a strong catalog, since “Sade” and his debut album “Gold” both charted internationally. Add in more than a decade of live shows and his growing brand-partnership income, and that range holds up as a realistic picture of his finances today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Adekunle Gold’s real name?
His real name is Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko. He was born on January 28, 1987, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Who is Adekunle Gold’s wife?
He is married to fellow singer Simi. The two wed in a private ceremony on January 9, 2019.
How many children does Adekunle Gold have?
Two. His daughter Deja was born in May 2020, and his son Adeifemi was born on March 10, 2026.
What record label is Adekunle Gold signed to?
He has been signed to Def Jam Recordings since 2023. He was previously signed to Olamide’s YBNL Nation label from 2015.
Is Adekunle Gold really a prince?
He is a descendant of the Kosoko royal family of Lagos, and he has spoken about that lineage as part of his identity, though he does not hold an active royal title.
Does Adekunle Gold have sickle cell disease?
Yes. He has had sickle cell disease since childhood. He runs the Adekunle Gold Foundation, which gives free medical care to sickle cell patients in Lagos.
What is Adekunle Gold’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated between $1 million and $2 million, built from his Def Jam deal, his back catalogue, touring income, and his brand ambassador deal with The Macallan.
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