The sweetest bit of news to land on Christmas Eve is that the Kosokos are growing their family. And if you’re wondering which Kosokos, we mean Adekunle Gold and Simi, one of music’s most loved couples.

The announcement came quietly and beautifully through the music video for Adekunle Gold’s song “My Love Is the Same,” a track from his latest album “Fuji.” Released today, the video features Simi making a gentle appearance, her baby bump clearly visible, confirming that the couple are expecting another child.

As fans already know, “My Love Is the Same” is a reassurance song addressed to Adekunle Gold’s daughter, Adejare. It centres on staying emotionally present even when life feels heavy. The song speaks to long days, work pressures, and financial strain, while holding on to the promise that love remains steady. Lines like “I dey with you don’t you worry” and “Baby my love is the same” underline that sense of constancy, even in uncertain moments.

Adejare features prominently in the video alongside her dad. We see them laughing, singing, heading out on little adventures and sharing ice cream. Then, towards the end, she runs into her mum’s arms. Simi appears in a white cropped tee and jeans, her bump on full display, as Adejare hugs her tightly. It’s a simple moment that says everything.

Yes, you guessed right. Adejare is about to become a big sister.

Sharing his thoughts on Instagram, Adekunle Gold wrote, “No matter where I go, my home is the same… my love is the same. I’m grateful for my blessings and I’m grateful to be able to capture these moments with my favourite people in the world.”

A lovely surprise, and a Christmas gift wrapped in music, family and love.

The post Adekunle Gold & Simi Are Expecting Another Baby! appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Kunmie’s “Arike” remix already had the emotional range of a romantic drama, thanks to Simi and Mabel’s guest verses. But now, there’s a music video, and it’s a heartbreaker in under four minutes.

The premise: Kunmie and his girl, stretched out on a basketball court, making big promises before he moves overseas for school. They say they’ll make it work. And for a while, they do.

But distance is greedy. Suddenly, classes, deadlines, and the blur of a new life start eating up his attention. Texts take longer to send. Calls keep getting postponed. By the time they both notice, the relationship they swore to protect is already slipping away.

It’s relatable, it’s tender, and it’s a reminder: sometimes love needs more than good intentions to last.

Watch the video below

The post Kunmie, Simi & Mabel Tell a Bittersweet Love Story in the “Arike” Remix Video appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

When Adekunle Gold released his debut album Gold on July 28, 2016, it was more than just another project from an emerging artist, it was a cultural statement.

At a time when Nigerian pop music leaned heavily into club hits and dancefloor bangers, Gold introduced something different: a warm, nostalgic blend of Highlife, Afro-soul, and Folk, wrapped in soothing vocals and honest storytelling.

Today, Adekunle Gold is a global Afrobeats powerhouse, known for his boundary-pushing sound, bold fashion choices, and his suave alter ego AG Baby. But before all the glitz and global features, there was Gold, a deeply personal, sonically rich album that laid the foundation for everything that followed.

As Adekunle Gold debut album, Gold clocks nine years, here are 9 things you might have forgotten about this iconic project.

1. Before the music, he was the “King of Photoshop”

9 YEARS AGO TODAY@adekunleGOLD dropped his amazing debut album

The project featured amazing songs & hits like "Orente", "No Forget Ft Simi", "Pick Up", "Ready", "Sade" and more

What's your favourite song? pic.twitter.com/3ZuSnsQ2km

— NOTJUSTOK (@NOTJUSTOK) July 28, 2025

Long before he became a household name in music, Adekunle Gold was an internet sensation for an entirely different reason, graphic design. He earned the nickname “King of Photoshop” after his hilarious, well-edited pictures of himself alongside celebrities like Tiwa Savage went viral.

But this wasn’t just random internet fun. Adekunle Gold studied Graphics at Lagos State Polytechnic and used his skills in visual storytelling to build an audience before his musical breakthrough. That background in creativity and aesthetics would later influence his album artwork, branding, and visuals, all of which became central to his identity as an artist.

2. Sade was actually a One Direction cover

Yes, you read that right. The song that put Adekunle Gold on the map, Sade, was a Highlife cover of One Direction’s Story of My Life. But what made it special was the way he localized the song’s emotion and lyrics, transforming it into a tale of unrequited love that resonated deeply with Nigerian audiences.

Released independently before he joined YBNL Nation, Sade quickly went viral, showcasing his ability to fuse Western melodies with indigenous storytelling, a trademark that would carry through to Gold.

3. Gold dropped earlier than planned

10 years ago today, I released the greatest cover of all time; Sade. pic.twitter.com/I5F1rM92Yz

— BIG FISH (@adekunleGOLD) December 19, 2024

While the official release date for Gold was July 28, 2016, the album actually dropped three days earlier, on July 25. The early release was a pleasant surprise for fans who had been eagerly anticipating Adekunle Gold’s first full-length body of work, and it sparked a wave of online excitement.

In an era when surprise drops weren’t as common as they are today, this unexpected move gave Gold a boost in visibility and fan engagement right out of the gate.

4. Simi’s quiet but powerful contribution

While fans were still speculating about the nature of Adekunle Gold and Simi’s relationship in 2016, few knew just how involved she was in the Gold project. Not only did Simi master several tracks on the album, but she was also the only featured artist on the project.

Her duet with Adekunle on No Forget was a standout moment, an emotionally stirring ballad that many interpreted as autobiographical. The chemistry between the two was undeniable, and looking back now, it feels like an early chapter in a love story that eventually became public and permanent.

5. A Billboard debut

In a remarkable feat for a debut album, Gold peaked at #7 on the Billboard World Albums Chart in August 2016, a huge accomplishment for a Nigerian artist at the time, especially one working with such a non-commercial sound. The achievement validated not just Adekunle Gold’s talent, but the potential global reach of Nigerian folk-inspired music. It was a signal that “urban highlife,” as he called it, had international appeal.

6. The dream team behind the sound

Though Gold sounded refreshingly different, its magic came from a carefully curated production team. The album featured the work of top Nigerian producers like Pheelz, Masterkraft, B Banks, Oscar Heman-Ackah, Seyi Keyz, and Sleekamo.

Each producer brought something unique to the table, helping Adekunle blend traditional instruments with contemporary sounds. This tight-knit group was key in developing the album’s sonic identity, an identity that would define his early years and distinguish him from the crowd.

7. The 79th Element - A band born from Gold

What are your fave tracks? Share stories if you have any. I’m reading everything. pic.twitter.com/7ZbZDGEAeG

— BIG FISH (@adekunleGOLD) July 25, 2024

Following the expiration of his deal with YBNL Nation, Adekunle Gold announced a new musical chapter with the formation of his live band, The 79th Element. For fans of the periodic table, that name held symbolic weight, gold is the 79th element.

This wasn’t just a clever name. It was a declaration of independence and a commitment to live performance and musical authenticity. Gold wasn’t just a debut album; it was the birth of an identity that Adekunle would continue to evolve and refine with every release.

8. Gold was a darling among critics and award shows

Upon release, Gold received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and fans alike. Reviewers praised its honesty, consistency, and Adekunle’s ability to tell relatable stories through simple but powerful lyrics.

The album earned a nomination for Album of the Year at the 2017 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and was also nominated at The Headies 2018 for Best R&B/Pop Album and Album of the Year. For a debut project, these nods were a reflection of its staying power.

9. At its core, Gold was about life’s simple struggles and triumphs

What made Gold truly special was its ability to connect with everyday Nigerians. The album was full of universal themes; love (Orente, No Forget), hustle (Pick Up, Work), hope (Fight for You), and cultural pride (Temptation).

In Pick Up, for example, Adekunle sings a prayer disguised as a pop song asking God to bless his hustle and answer his calls (literally and metaphorically). In Work, he reminds listeners that wishes don’t come true without effort. These messages, wrapped in soft guitar strings and rhythmic percussion, made Gold feel personal, even spiritual.

Nine years later, Gold still holds a special place in the hearts of fans. It wasn’t flashy or overly polished, it was honest, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in Nigerian culture. It announced Adekunle Gold not just as a talented musician, but as an artist with vision, heart, and staying power.

In a music industry often driven by trends, Gold was timeless. And in many ways, it still is.

Get Fresh updates from NotJustOk as they drop via X and Facebook

The post 9 Things you probably forgot about Adekunle Gold’s debut album, 'Gold' appeared first on NotjustOk.

Every week, OkayAfrica highlights the top Afrobeats and African music releases through our best music column, Songs You Need to Hear This Week.

Read ahead for our round-up of the best new African music tracks and music videos that came across our desks this week.

SPINALL – “Want You” feat. DESTIN CONRAD & JayO

With his first release of the year, veteran tastemaker SPINALL goes the sensual, mid-tempo route. The production swirls with a drum and guitar base that sets the body moving, resembling the lush soundscapes of Wizkid but with even more urgency. On singing duties, the duo of DESTIN CONRAD and JayO deliver in tune with the innuendo-leaning direction of the song, painting imagery that shows how badly they want the girl. It’s a song that sounds ready-made for intimate settings, but its progression could also lend itself to more open events. – Emmanuel Esomnofu

DJ Lag, Sir Trill, Sykes - “Woza”

Sir Trill is on a roll. He kicked off the year deep in his amapiano bag with “ iMpumelelo,” then took it up a notch by returning to his rap roots on “iBele” alongside 25K and Maglera Doe Boy. Now, he’s launched a daring incursion into Gqom with DJ Lag’s thunderous “Woza.” Joining him is Sykes – the voice behind hits with Dlala Thukzin (“iPlan,” “Imoto”) and Kelvin Momo (“Bala”), a perfect partner-in-vibe. It’s a match forged on gqom dance floors, streaming platform playlists, public taxi speakers, and everywhere else, the sgubhu lands the hardest. In a press release, the producer shared that he started making the 3-Step-inspired beat while playing back-to-back sets with Thakzin, a mainstay in the 3-Step scene. “I wanted to capture my take on 3-Step while channeling Afro-Tech influences I’ve been spinning during live sets. When Sir Trill and Sykes added their magic, I knew I had something that merged my Gqom roots with a new sonic direction; it just felt right,” he said. – Tseliso Monaheng

BNXN & FOLA – “Very Soon”

When they first linked up, it was clear that BNXN’s saccharine vocals beautifully complemented the brooding tones of FOLA. On “Very Soon,” they capitalize on that artistic similarity to craft another song of remarkable emotional power, as they sing about the aftermath of a breakup, promising to be better soon despite the lingering pain. With a melancholic soundboard, it’s a detailed view into the world of a character that’s going through the rubble with nothing but the resolute hope they’ll get on the other side. – EE

Kwesta - “Nyakanyaka”

Kwesta’s becoming, from a young gun ready to tear up any stage, collaborating across genres, to a grootman (elder) of the game, is the stuff of legends. Despite his longevity, he’s kept a youthful curiosity and a pen as sharp as the needles he steps on when the raps emerge. “Nyakanyaka,” off his latest album, The Big Bro Theory, is a masterclass in lyrical control. The way he bends words, forces them to obey him, and crafts rhyme schemes out of thin air is pure wizardry. His content is deeply local yet resonates globally. “I’m on my Tito, I’m in my bag,” he raps on the chorus, a slick (perhaps unintentional) nod to the late Tito Mboweni, South Africa’s former finance minister and first Black governor of the Reserve Bank. But he doesn’t stop at clever punchlines; he breaks syllables down, invents cadences, and feeds the ear pure gold. Rhyming “as we raise” with “temperature”? Just unfair. Kwesta remains an unmatched emcee. A superior artist. – TM

Simi – “Day By Day” feat. Kizz Daniel

It makes perfect sense that Simi and Kizz Daniel would do a song together. They both create music from the mundane elements of life, and the latter is in his most collaborative phase ever, stretching his distinct style to accommodate the musings of his talented peers. On “Day By Day,” the warm, percussive-driven production gives both artists the space to reflect on their blessings, even referencing Fido’s classic, which shares some sonic semblance with the newer record. It’s quite the feel-good affair we have here. – EE

Mashbeatz - “Nobody” (feat. Nasty C and Usimamane)

Earlier this week, a mix by Mashbeatz and DJ Sliqe was released online, featuring exclusives and unreleased heat that quickly went viral. One standout was “Nobody,” a lethal link-up between two of Durban’s finest in Nasty C and Usimamane. The former needs no introduction and, in the past decade that he has been active, has become somewhat of a figurehead for the new wave of South African hip-hop. The latter is a student of the game who’s carved his own lane with tracks like “Cheque” and “Uvalo” and delivered scene-stealing verses, most notably on Mashbeatz and Wordz’s 2024 epic, Only The Brave. On “Nobody,” we get two sentient emcees, high off their own brilliance, swaggering on a beat like it owes them money. “Can’t even jump in no mosh pit / PTSD, I’m from the kasi,” spits Nasty C, a reminder that his pen remains elite, and his run is far from over. – TM

Kehinde Alabi, better known as Louddaaa, interned as a sound engineer in Port Harcourt before moving to Lagos about five years ago. He started seeking employment as a sound engineer since it seemed production didn't make sense — he hadn't produced in over a year as production jobs weren't readily available. He submitted his CVs to studios, companies, and radio stations, but "they all rejected me," Louddaaa recalls in a recent Zoom conversation with OkayAfrica.

A friend would send him a vacancy post that turned out to be Mavin Records. "Are these people trying to scam me or something?" he remembers thinking, but he sent his credentials and got the job after a series of interviews. "It was a miracle," he says, "and I told myself I would be the best recording engineer ever because it felt like a second chance for me. I had hope again."

The journey to becoming a producer was even more interesting, relates Louddaaa. He selected beats and recorded the Mavin Records artists, but stayed back after every session to arrange beats. Due to his residence being on the Mainland, going to the other side of Lagos was stressful each evening. While making beats one night, Don Jazzy entered the studio and heard something he was making. "Can we try Ayra [Starr] on this?" the don asked, and soon enough, Louddaaa got locked in with the newly minted star, whose debut EP and album he would significantly influence.

Still, Louddaaa was unconvinced he was a producer. Sometimes, he flunked the producer sessions he was booked for since he didn't think he could replicate the genius of Ayra Starr's songs. "Working with her was different; we had a deep connection," he would explain. "It was easy; there was no tension. We simply exchanged ideas. They were ideas that took us six months to create; now you want me to create a beat on the spot?"

"It took a while for me to start playing that role of a producer," he says, "because I kept telling myself: 'I don't know why they love this thing that I'm doing. What do they like? This is not really making sense to me.' I wasn't sure about myself. It took me a while to say, 'Bro, it's happening already. They like this."

Since those days of uncertainty, Louddaaa has imprinted his sound more visibly on the colorful skies of contemporary Afrobeats. Shining with a deeply personal energy, the mellow and measured quality of Louddaaa's sound has shaped the early careers of new-age Mavin artists, from Magixx to Bayanni and Boy Spyce. This isn't a mere coincidence, he tells OkayAfrica. "Whenever I want to work with an artist, the first thing I do is try to engage them," he says. "I have a conversation with them and understand where they are. Then I try to create a sound based on all the information I have that I think is unique to your story."

He applied the same approach with Davido, collaborating on two tracks for his recent album, 5IVE. Louddaaa had tried connecting with the star in 2021 and subsequent years, but nothing came out of those efforts. Then, in February of last year, he was inspired by the Holy Spirit — Louddaaa is a firm believer — to create music for Davido, which he collaborated on with his friend, Dayo Grey.

"I was very intentional," he says. "I listen to David a lot, and I have an idea of where he is based on all the songs and features he has done in the past. I also have an idea of where he should be in terms of music, and I just put all those things together."

They made 'Anything,' which stands out as an exceptional high point even among an album characterized by its triumphant moments. Davido had committed to recording the track, and Louddaaa still had many ideas to explore. He wanted something vintage for Davido, a beat with the rustic qualities of the classic "Aye," whose chorus he enthusiastically sings. "I told him, let's go back to that old David," he explains. "Let's create a 2024 record that has an element of the old David but still feels good for this age that we're in. That's how we made '10 Kilo,' I sent it to my songwriter friend, and he came up with some ideas, the melodies, and everything."

Louddaaa orchestrated the record. "I remember when I first sent the beat for 'Anything' to my songwriter, the first thing they wrote, I was like 'nah, this is not it,' because I had an idea what I wanted him to sound like: a Davido and Louddaaa song," he attests. "Everything that you guys hear now, to the glory of God, was something that I envisioned. In terms of the writing, production, and everything, we tried different ideas."

It's clear that Louddaaa isn't just another producer — he's a designer of entire soundscapes. "I call myself an 'A&R' in quotes," he says, "not an official A&R, but I have this ear to design a sound that is unique for an artist." More artists now want the sauce; between last year and now, his roster includes the likes of Lojay, Chike, Black Sherif, and Simi, whose latest album featured nine tracks from Louddaaa. Most of these artists share a soulful core; Louddaaa says the inspiration pulls both ways.

"It's from my end, first of all," he says. "My sound is born from my life experiences. I've gone through so many dark things in my life that I can't even go into details right now. My life is a rollercoaster. Growing up, music was like a coping mechanism for me. It was what I used to bury most of the things I was dealing with as a child and as a teenager. Every time I make music, I connect it to one of those things. I'm saying something, but it's with music. One of my biggest testimonies is when people listen to my music, they tell me they love it, it's so soulful, it's so emotional. And I'm like, 'Thank you, Jesus.' Because that was my goal — I want you to feel something."