Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold is going back to his roots with the release of his sixth album, Fuji, on Friday — a project he calls a tribute to the traditional sounds of his homeland.
“Fuji is the soundtrack of Lagos. It’s everywhere. That sound gave birth to Afrobeats and everything we hear today,” he told AFP in Paris.
Born into the Kosoko royal family, the 38-year-old Afropop star draws from the deep Yoruba heritage. Fuji music, which came out of Yoruba Muslim culture in the 1960s, is known for its energetic percussion, fast rhythms, and lyrics often tied to politics and society. The style was pioneered by the late Ayinde Barrister, who famously named it after Japan’s Mount Fuji.
Gold has blended those traditional rhythms with the smooth melodies of R&B, creating a sound that feels both fresh and deeply Nigerian. Like Burna Boy and Davido, he’s one of the new generation of artists building bridges between Nigeria’s past and the global music scene.
“You listen to it, and it makes your body move. It’s magical,” Gold said. “Fuji, Highlife — every Nigerian sound makes you feel alive.”
His colorful, dance-filled video for Party No Dey Stop with Zinoleesky has already pulled in over 29 million views on YouTube, and the song became his first major U.S. hit.
Gold, also known as AG Baby, first broke out in 2014 after covering a One Direction song. Since then, he has signed to Def Jam Recordings and collaborated with icons like Nile Rodgers and Pharrell Williams.
The new album also carries personal stories: his grief over losing his father, his experiences as a husband and father, and his journey through family life.
Though he lives in the U.S., Gold says his heart is still in Lagos. “I’m spreading the culture, talking about my heritage, talking about tradition,” he said.
He also spoke about Nigeria’s challenges, with nearly 60% of the population living in poverty. While hopeful for change, he urged Nigerians to take responsibility too: “It is not enough for the government to do everything. We must do what we can as citizens.”
Beyond music, Gold has launched a foundation this year to support treatment for sickle cell disease — a condition he has battled all his life.
