Nigerian music star Adekunle Kosoko, professionally known as Adekunle Gold, is set to join the ranks of Nigerian artists breaking ground internationally. The “High” crooner has officially signed with the popular American label Def Jam Recordings, Billboard reported on Tuesday. The announcement came in a statement from the company’s CEO and Chairman, Tunji Balogun, who praised Kosoko’s songwriting, artistry, vocals and showmanship.
Balogun said, “I’ve been following Adekunle Gold since I first heard his record ‘Sade’ in 2016. Over the years, everything in AG’s world has elevated—his songwriting has refined, the scope of his artistry has widened, his vocals have strengthened, his approach to fashion is more distinct, and his showmanship and performance ability have grown exponentially. He’s stepped into stardom on his own terms and is completely comfortable being his true self.” He added that he had planned to bring Def Jam into the Afrobeats space since joining the label in 2022, and felt Adekunle was the perfect fit: “He’d already built a solid base on his own, but I knew we could scale his audience even further by combining our energies.”
Adekunle Gold expressed excitement about the partnership, emphasizing their shared Nigerian roots. “He understands it, so signing with Tunji makes sense. He’s like my studio buddy who’s always there; when he’s not, I know he’s just insanely busy. The track record is there, the history is there. They break artists, and they have niche, unique artists like me, so it’s the right move. All the things I’ve done for myself already, they already know, and that’s why they’re on board.”
Def Jam Recordings, owned by Universal Music Group, boasts superstar alumni such as Jay Z, Rihanna and Kanye West. Adekunle Gold, also known as AG Baby, broke into the Nigerian music scene with his debut hit “Sade” in 2015. He signed his first record deal with YBNL Nation that same year and released his debut studio album “Gold” in 2017. After his contract expired, he founded his own label, Afro Urban Records, and released two albums: “About 30” in 2018 and “Catch Me If You Can” in 2022. He is slated to release a new album under Def Jam in June 2023.
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