Nigerian Afrobeats star Adekunle Gold has taken time to reflect on his artistic journey, five years after the release of his groundbreaking album, Afro Pop Vol. 1.
In a heartfelt post shared on his X with fans, the singer described the project as a “leap of faith” that transformed his career and marked a bold departure from the limitations he once faced in the industry.
“This album was my leap of faith. Five years ago, I chose freedom because I knew I was bigger than the labels around me. That decision changed everything. Fear became courage, and doors I never imagined started to open,” Adekunle Gold wrote.
Released in August 2020, Afro Pop Vol. 1 was more than just another project. It signaled a reinvention for the artist, who had initially risen to fame with a highlife-inspired sound under Olamide’s YBNL Nation. While his earlier work earned him recognition for soulful, folk-inspired hits like Sade and Orente, the 2020 album marked a shift into bolder, more mainstream Afropop territory.
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The 10-track album showcased Adekunle Gold’s willingness to experiment. Songs like Something Different and Okay revealed a more modern, global sound, blending Afropop with R&B, dancehall, and Caribbean influences. Collaborations with Tekno, Nailah Blackman, Patoranking, and Olayinka Ehi further pushed the album’s versatility and gave it a wide appeal.
For many fans and critics, the project was a turning point. It allowed Adekunle Gold to reach a broader international audience while cementing his reputation at home as one of Nigeria’s most adaptable voices.
In his reflection, the singer expressed deep appreciation for the listeners who embraced his reinvention and supported him as he expanded his sound.
“I’m forever grateful for what this album did for me and for everyone who embraced it. Nothing has been the same since then,” he added.
The message struck a chord with many of his fans, who recall Afro Pop Vol. 1 as the project that introduced a new, edgier version of the artist they had come to love.
Adekunle Gold’s journey since 2020 has only reinforced the importance of that “leap of faith.” He has gone on to release two critically acclaimed projects, Catch Me If You Can in 2022 and Tequila Ever After in 2023.
Both albums showcased his signature genre-blending style, balancing Afrobeats with R&B, pop, and global influences. Songs like High with Davido and Party No Dey Stop with Zinoleesky further expanded his fanbase and underscored his ability to remain relevant in a fast-changing industry.
His constant reinvention has also earned him recognition on the global stage, placing him among the vanguard of Nigerian artists shaping the future of Afrobeats.
Adekunle Gold’s reflection goes beyond nostalgia. It is a reminder of the power of self-belief and artistic freedom in shaping a musician’s path. By breaking away from restrictive industry molds, he opened himself to new sounds, bigger stages, and a more diverse audience.
His career trajectory mirrors the evolution of Nigerian music itself. Just as Afrobeats has expanded beyond local borders to become a global movement, Adekunle Gold has evolved from a highlife singer to a versatile star with international acclaim.
As he continues to grow musically, Adekunle Gold has hinted that his journey is far from over. His recent projects suggest an artist still pushing boundaries, still unafraid to take risks, and still guided by the freedom he embraced five years ago.
For fans, his reflection on Afro Pop Vol. 1 is both a celebration and a promise, that Adekunle Gold will keep reinventing himself while staying true to the values that first defined his artistry.
Five years later, the album remains a milestone, not just in his personal journey, but in the wider story of Afrobeats: a genre powered by courage, innovation, and the refusal to be boxed in.
