The 38-year-old Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko, professionally known as Adekunle, is our spotlight for today, popularly known as AG Baby. The gold in Adekunle Gold’s name isn’t merely for art’s sake; he is golden. Right from his introduction to our screens in 2015 with his hit single – “Sade,” he hasn’t given us anything less than the best.
Perhaps the reason he instantly earned a spot in our hearts is that he doesn’t make us dig for gold; instead, he gives it to us on a platter. From emotional highlife ballads and love songs to energetic Afropop hits, he has given us different versions that we deeply love.
Top 7 Best of Adekunle Gold
1. Sade
2. Up
3. Something Different
4. Okay
5. 5 Star
6. Party No Dey Stop ft Zinoleesky
7. High ft Davido
Best of Adekunle Gold
Adekunle Gold is the king of eras. He effortlessly brings us into eras. This list is an insight into his eras from Adekunle Gold to AG Baby. Let’s visit eras from his foundation with “Sade,” to his evolution from hustle to soft life in “Pick Up” and “5 Star,” emergence into Afropop with “Something Different,” and the present AG Baby era with “Party No Dey Stop” and “High.”
1. Sade
An honorary first mention. This was the song that broke him out. It was his highlife rendition of One Direction’s “Story of My Life.” He graciously combined traditional African rhythms and melodies with Western instruments and harmonies. “Sade” is a female Yoruba given name that he calls on to in this song to agree to marry him, so that he can take her home to his mummy. Basically, it’s a romantic plea for a potential lover.
It was sung in English and Yoruba, a norm when it comes to Adekunle Gold. Originally released in 2014 and re-released in 2015 to match his signing to Olamide’s record label, YBNL. It was the lead single in his first studio album, Gold. With Sade, he won the Headies Award in 2016 for “Best Alternative Song.”
2. Pick Up
Pick Up was a hustler’s heartfelt prayer to God for a change of levels. After its release in 2015, it became a song on our lips and hearts. This is a track that would make you grateful for a hit track like “5 Star.” These were the days he was building the bricks of everything he has now.
Another fusion of English and Yoruba, but the language wasn’t a barrier. Hustle is hustle across every tongue. He sang the story in a lot of hearts – at the end of the day, the hustler, after so much struggle, wants to end up in the league of influential people like Otedola and Dangote.
From “single and searching” to married with a beautiful child, from hustling to living the 5-Star life, we are happy to see how far Adekunle Gold has come.
3. Something Different
He gave us something different in 2020 on this track. This was the single that paved the way for his evolution from highlife to Afropop. It gave him a redefinition and a global name.
AG never gives us just beats. His lyrics are always worth listening to. He said, “Enough of breakup songs that make you cry” on this track. This was a lyrical monologue to an ex-lover who broke his heart. He questioned her for leaving him when they could have been exploring the world and having a romantic time.
4. Okay
It was a part of his 2020 album, Afro Pop, Vol. 1. This was the track where he registered it in heads that “AG Baby is your daddy.” Known for his lyrical game, he gained mastery over this single with soft sounds and deep lyrics.
It was a message to people in his business; he literally tells them to stop throwing tantrums at him in his penthouse for their bungalows. In essence, they’re not in the same league. He bows to no one and doesn’t want problems. But, for every ounce of crazy that comes his way, he’ll send it back in double folds.
Really, this track is timeless. We all need to remind those people, they’ll always be there – that we just want to enjoy life without their problems.
5. 5 Star
Our 2022 soft life anthem. But more than that, it was a statement of advocacy for a cause. He didn’t just sing a song we could dance to; he solidified it with stories, making it more impactful.
First off, this wasn’t AG bragging. If you were at the very beginning of his career, you’d celebrate the breakthrough alongside him. If he says VIP, no regular, it’s definitely because he has tried for himself, as he rightly proclaimed.
He begins with how far he has come from a sickle cell crisis to who he is now. It’s a story of gratitude to God for how far he has come. He would later feature Rick Ross on the track, giving him more global recognition.
Don’t we all desire the 5-Star life? It doesn’t have to be millions, you can start with the mentality of how big you are. You’re VIP, not regular.
6. Party No Dey Stop ft Zinoleesky
It’s possible that even Adekunle Gold himself didn’t see himself giving us banging party bops in the future. From parties to the streets and home stereos, AG Baby gave us a banger alongside the street crooner, Zino. That is a combination Nigeria didn’t see coming, but definitely love.
With AG now, party no dey stop, they never stop. But, haven’t we come a long way? Baba God has picked up our call, let’s party!
This was his first ever number one single on Nigeria’s top 100 charts. It was one of Rolling Stone’s best Afropop songs of 2023.
7. High ft Davido
Again, we didn’t see AG coming bringing us a collaboration with Davido, but he did just that to all of our amazement. It was released in 2021, and it quickly became a chart topper. From radios to rooms and streaming platforms, AG and Davido gave us a reason to feel good.
The blend of Amapiano and Afrobeats was impossible not to dance to. It was as rich as the dynamic duo themselves. AG showed us a side of himself that wasn’t mellow and gave us a new normal that we’re grateful for. From 2021 to date, we still want to be high! It’s our perfect song for escape.
Notable Mention
Promise ft Simi
This wasn’t just another duet. It melted the hearts of Adekunle Gold and his wife, Simi’s fans. It was their first track together as a married couple, released not so long after their intimate wedding. They brought us into their intimacy in a way that was so captivating that it brought tears to some eyes. There were clips of their real wedding in the video.
It was a wedding vow that we were privileged to be a part of, not just another musical performance. They both promised to be each other’s “ride or die,” that is, always be there for each other in every season of their lives. That is every Fan’s heartfelt wish for them to date.
2019 to date, they remain a favorite musical couple that we wish nothing but the absolute best.
Conclusion
From the traditional style in “Orente” to Afropop with sparkles in “High,” we certainly love every version of Adekunle Gold, our favorite Golden Boy. One thing we have to say to him is AG Baby, don’t stop giving us that bop.
Were you present in the early AG days? If not, now is a beautiful time to visit those golden albums. To die-hard fans from day one, from “Gold” to “Tequila Ever After,” what are your favorite tracks? What’s your favourite AG era?
