Among the deep wells of Nigerian music traditions he draws from, Fuji stands tall. Emerging in the 1960s from Yoruba Muslim communities, Fuji is celebrated for its feverish percussion, socially conscious lyrics, and electrifying stage presence. Pioneer Ayinde Barrister, who gave the genre its name after Japan’s Mount Fuji, laid the groundwork for what would become a dominant force in Nigerian popular music. For Gold, these rhythms are not just background—they are the pulse of Lagos itself.
“It’s one of the oldest sounds of Nigeria,” the 38-year-old singer said, reflecting on how genres like Fuji and Highlife have shaped Afrobeats and inspired the country’s new generation of global stars. “You listen to it, and it makes your body move. It’s magical.”
This connection to heritage is evident in Gold’s career trajectory. After first breaking out in 2014 with a viral cover of a One Direction song, he has grown into one of Nigeria’s most recognized artists. His viral single Party No Dey Stop, featuring Zinoleesky, burst onto the international stage, racking up nearly 30 million YouTube views and becoming his first major U.S. hit. His global momentum continued when he signed with Def Jam Recordings and collaborated with funk legend Nile Rodgers and superstar Pharrell Williams on Falling Up.
But beyond chart success, Gold sees his music as a cultural export. “I’m spreading the culture, talking about my heritage, talking about tradition,” he said, emphasizing that his Lagos roots remain central even as he resides in the United States. His latest album offers a deeply personal journey, touching on themes of grief after losing his father, the joys and challenges of family life, and his role as both husband and father.
Offstage, Gold has also taken on advocacy, particularly for sickle cell disease—a condition he has lived with since childhood. In 2025, he launched a foundation to provide treatment support and strengthen local charities focused on the illness. His activism underscores a broader belief in personal responsibility alongside national progress. “It is not enough for the government to do everything,” he noted, urging citizens to play their part in shaping Nigeria’s future.
In balancing his Yoruba heritage, Afropop stardom, and a growing role as a cultural ambassador, Adekunle Gold represents a new wave of Nigerian artistry—rooted in history, yet reaching boldly across borders.