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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What influences your style?
I love prints and vintage wear. I wear what looks
good on me and I am not addicted to brands.

I really like that song and I know people who understand Yoruba likes it.