Nigerian Afropop star Adekunle Gold has released his highly anticipated sixth studio album, Fuji, a project he describes as a heartfelt tribute to the ancestral rhythms and cultural heritage of his homeland.
“That sound is the soundtrack of Lagos. It’s everywhere. That sound gave birth to Afrobeats and all the things that we hear right now,” Gold told AFP during a recent interview in Paris.
A descendant of the Kosoko royal family, the 38-year-old artist draws inspiration from the Yoruba community, one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. He describes Fuji as “one of the oldest sounds of Nigeria,” noting its roots in Yoruba Muslim culture.
Fuji music, which gained popularity in Nigeria in the 1960s after independence, is defined by its fast-paced beats, large percussion ensembles, and socially conscious lyrics. The late music pioneer Ayinde Barrister, often credited as its founder, named the genre after Japan’s famous Mount Fuji.
Gold’s latest album fuses these traditional elements with the smooth melodies of contemporary R&B, a blend that reflects his mission to connect Nigeria’s musical past with its global present.
“You listen to it, and it makes your body move. It’s magical,” he said.
The singer has become part of a new wave of Nigerian artists—including Burna Boy and Davido—who have taken African sounds to international audiences. His vibrant music video for Party No Dey Stop, a collaboration with fellow Nigerian Zinoleesky, has amassed over 29 million YouTube views and marked his first major breakthrough in the United States.
Since then, Gold has signed with Def Jam Recordings and collaborated with global icons like Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers on the track Falling Up.
A Personal Journey
Beyond its cultural richness, Fuji is also deeply personal. Gold says the album reflects moments of joy, grief, and growth in his life.
“I talk about my grief when I lost my father. I talk about my love life, my daughter, about being a family man,” he shared.
Although he now resides in the U.S., Gold insists his “heart is in Lagos.”
“I’m spreading the culture, talking about my heritage, talking about tradition,” he said.
Giving Back
The singer is also committed to social impact. Having lived with sickle cell disease all his life, Gold launched a foundation this year to fund treatment and support local charities.
He acknowledged Nigeria’s ongoing challenges, where nearly 60% of the population lives below the poverty line, but expressed optimism about the country’s future.
“There have been steps in the right direction,” he said. “It is not enough for the government to do everything. We must do what we can as citizens.”
With Fuji, Adekunle Gold not only celebrates Nigeria’s rich musical legacy but also uses his platform to amplify culture, tradition, and social change.