Up-and-coming music artiste, Adekunle
Kosoko aka Adekunle Gold, is behind the hit single, Sade. Recently
signed on with YBNL records, he talks about his love for music. See excerpts from his punch newspaper interview below:
Kosoko aka Adekunle Gold, is behind the hit single, Sade. Recently
signed on with YBNL records, he talks about his love for music. See excerpts from his punch newspaper interview below:
Your recent song, Sade, is a romantic ballad. What was the inspiration behind the song?
The song is my story. I asked a girl
named Sade, out on a date three years ago but she didn’t accede to my
request. She said she was not ready even though I really liked her. The
song is about her and everything I narrated in the song is true, aside
from the part where I said my parents were disturbing me. That did not
happen.
named Sade, out on a date three years ago but she didn’t accede to my
request. She said she was not ready even though I really liked her. The
song is about her and everything I narrated in the song is true, aside
from the part where I said my parents were disturbing me. That did not
happen.
How would you rate the success of the song since its release?
It’s been amazing how people accepted the song. Sade
is everywhere on the streets and in homes. I’m really excited about it.
It is one song I never knew would be a hit. People say the lifespan of a
hit song in Nigeria is three months; I released it in December 2014 and
it is more than three months old already. I feel loved and God has
proven to me that He will always be with me. I have always wanted to be
heard.
is everywhere on the streets and in homes. I’m really excited about it.
It is one song I never knew would be a hit. People say the lifespan of a
hit song in Nigeria is three months; I released it in December 2014 and
it is more than three months old already. I feel loved and God has
proven to me that He will always be with me. I have always wanted to be
heard.
Did you write the song yourself or you engaged the services of a songwriter?
I wrote the song myself. It’s my story and I wanted to be the one to tell it. I write all my songs.
You are known for your Photoshop skills on social media; how lucrative is it?
Photoshop is fun; I love the way it makes
people laugh and the attention I get. I do not like to be the ordinary
guy; I like to be known for something. I made a picture of me hugging
Tiwa Savage from behind and when I posted it on Instagram; I was
overwhelmed by people’s response. I decided to continue with it and as
time went on, bloggers started writing about me, people started talking
about it and that increased my fan base. It has helped me meet people
that have assisted me with my music career.
people laugh and the attention I get. I do not like to be the ordinary
guy; I like to be known for something. I made a picture of me hugging
Tiwa Savage from behind and when I posted it on Instagram; I was
overwhelmed by people’s response. I decided to continue with it and as
time went on, bloggers started writing about me, people started talking
about it and that increased my fan base. It has helped me meet people
that have assisted me with my music career.
Which came first between music and your Photoshop skills?
Music started a long time ago and I used
to be in the teens choir in my church. My dad used to play classic songs
by King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey while he drove us to school every
day. I developed interest in music from listening to those men. Later I
joined a band called The Bridge. We released a lot of songs including Norm Breaker featuring Skales, Make It Happen featuring GtTheGuitarman, and All of Me
which is a cover. The band didn’t work out as we hoped it would; it is
usually not easy to get signed on with a label as a solo artiste, let
alone a band. We each decided to go solo and see how things would turn
out. I launched out on my own in 2013.
to be in the teens choir in my church. My dad used to play classic songs
by King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey while he drove us to school every
day. I developed interest in music from listening to those men. Later I
joined a band called The Bridge. We released a lot of songs including Norm Breaker featuring Skales, Make It Happen featuring GtTheGuitarman, and All of Me
which is a cover. The band didn’t work out as we hoped it would; it is
usually not easy to get signed on with a label as a solo artiste, let
alone a band. We each decided to go solo and see how things would turn
out. I launched out on my own in 2013.
Did you feel awkward about going solo?
I am happy I took the decision to go
solo. It has paid off and is still paying off. I thank God for it. It
turned out that I made the best decision.
solo. It has paid off and is still paying off. I thank God for it. It
turned out that I made the best decision.
Are you still in touch with your partner?
I am still friends with him, we make music together but I am a bit more visible now.
Do you have other songs in the pipeline?
I have new singles that I intend to
release soon. I am not in a hurry because I want to get it right. I am
also not under any pressure, except that I am confused about which of my
songs to release next.
release soon. I am not in a hurry because I want to get it right. I am
also not under any pressure, except that I am confused about which of my
songs to release next.
You have been rumoured to be romantically involved with up-and-coming musician, Simi. Are you in a relationship with her?
I’d rather not talk about that.
What qualities should your ideal woman have?
She must be hard-working, adventurous and a lover of God.
Do you plan to get married before long?
I plan to get married, but I don’t know when.
How do you intend to cope with competition in the industry?
I believe in being distinct and I think
everybody’s hustle is different. Everybody’s music genre differs and I
do not see any competition for me. I intend to thrive with my new sound.
Not many people will do the kind of music I do and I am not scared of
doing what I do. I will continue that way.
everybody’s hustle is different. Everybody’s music genre differs and I
do not see any competition for me. I intend to thrive with my new sound.
Not many people will do the kind of music I do and I am not scared of
doing what I do. I will continue that way.
What genre would you classify your music?
I had delved into other genres before now
and I needed to do something different. I call my sound Urban-Highlife
and it is a fusion of Pop, Folk and Highlife. Apart from the content, Sade is not the typical Nigerian sound. It is a fusion of international sound and our local sound.
and I needed to do something different. I call my sound Urban-Highlife
and it is a fusion of Pop, Folk and Highlife. Apart from the content, Sade is not the typical Nigerian sound. It is a fusion of international sound and our local sound.
The industry is saturated, do you see yourself becoming very successful?
Following Sade’s success, the sky is the starting point for me. Sade
is only a cover to Story of My Life by One Direction and the least of
my songs. If it got me signed on with a label, that means I have a lot
of exploits. I am not perturbed, I only pray for God’s grace to do well.
is only a cover to Story of My Life by One Direction and the least of
my songs. If it got me signed on with a label, that means I have a lot
of exploits. I am not perturbed, I only pray for God’s grace to do well.
What measure would you take to remain relevant on the music scene?
I’ll keep making good music, keep doing my Photoshop images and keep making people laugh. I will keep getting creative.
Which takes more of your time between Photoshop and music?
Music does. Photoshop has always been easy for me and I make sure I pay attention to details.
How lucrative is it for you?
I do not really make much money from it.
It brings me jobs sometimes because I am also a graphic artist and brand
developer, but I am not into it for the money. Some people approach me
to fix their images in other people’s international passports. I know I
can do it but I don’t.
It brings me jobs sometimes because I am also a graphic artist and brand
developer, but I am not into it for the money. Some people approach me
to fix their images in other people’s international passports. I know I
can do it but I don’t.
How did you get signed on with YBNL?
When I released Sade, Fuse and
the rest of the YBNL crew listened to and fell in love with it. Fuse
insisted Olamide signed me with the group. He thought about it and
because of the good relationship they have, he called me and we
discussed the terms. I wanted to feign reluctance when I was told the
terms of the contract but I could not help my excitement because it was a
good offer.
the rest of the YBNL crew listened to and fell in love with it. Fuse
insisted Olamide signed me with the group. He thought about it and
because of the good relationship they have, he called me and we
discussed the terms. I wanted to feign reluctance when I was told the
terms of the contract but I could not help my excitement because it was a
good offer.
Which musician would you like to work with?
That would be Asa, because I love her sound. I’d definitely work with her.
What course did you study in school?
I studied Art and Industrial Design at
the Lagos State Polytechnic. I majored in Graphics and I was the best
graduating student in my class. I graduated in 2009.
the Lagos State Polytechnic. I majored in Graphics and I was the best
graduating student in my class. I graduated in 2009.
What influences your style?
I love prints and vintage wear. I wear what looks good on me and I am not addicted to brands