Gold (Adekunle Gold album)
| Gold | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 28, 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2014–2016 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 55:00 | |||
| Label | YBNL | |||
| Producer |
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| Adekunle Gold chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Gold | ||||
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Gold is the debut studio album of Nigerian recording artist Adekunle Gold, released on 28 July 2016, by YBNL Nation. It features one guest appearance from Simi and production from B Banks, Masterkraft, Oscar Heman-Ackah, Pheelz, SeyiKeyz, and Sleekamo. Prior to its release, six singles were released off the album to positive reviews, with "Sade" and "Orente" being his breakthrough singles.
Singles
[edit]The album's lead single "Sade" was released on 19 December 2014. It was produced by Olaitan Dada.[1] Its re-release was released on 5 March 2015 and produced by Pheelz alongside its music video directed by Adasa Cookey.[2] The second single, "Orente", was released on 1 July 2015. It was produced by Oscar Heman-Ackah and features strings by Fiokee.[3] The third single off the album was released on 1 December 2015, entitled "Pick Up". It was produced by Pheelz.[4] Gold’s fourth single "Ready" was released on 4 April 2016. It was produced by Pheelz, mastered by Simi, and features guitars from Fiokee.[5] The fifth single, "My Life", was released on 14 November 2016.[6] The sixth and final single off the album, "Work" was officially released on 1 May 2017. The song was produced by B.Banks and its release coincided with the single's accompanying music video directed by Mr. Moe Musa.[7]
Commercial performance
[edit]The album peaked at #7 on Billboard's World Album Charts for the week of 13 August 2016.[8]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| NotJustOk | 7.5/10[9] |
| Pulse Nigeria |   [10] |
| Filter Free Nigeria | 94%[11] |
| tooXclusive | [12] |
The album received positive reviews from music critics. Joey Akan of Pulse Nigeria praised the album as "a fantastic album" that showcased his ability to craft a unique path in mainstream Nigerian music, blending local highlife with relatable stories and purist melodies. The album was commended for its conceptual strength, standout tracks like “No Forget” with Simi, and its consistent delivery, despite slight monotony. He rated it 4/5, calling it "Smoking Hot."[10] Temitope Delano of tooXclusive found Gold to be a mixed effort, describing it as "a tad bit claustrophobic" with some shallow moments but also recognizing its "few brilliant tracks" and "amazing production." Despite falling short of expectations in depth and delivery, the album showcased Gold's ability to connect emotionally through relatable themes and innovative sounds, earning a rating of 3/5.[12]
Tola Sarumi of NotJustOk described Gold as "mature pop" that combines storytelling, vulnerability, and nuanced production, showcasing his artistry and everyman charm. Despite some melody recycling and a few underwhelming tracks, the album delivered standout songs like "Work," "No Forget," and "Ariwo Ko" and proved that "Adekunle Gold, on this evidence, should be around for a while." It was rated 7.5/10.[9] Online magazine Filter Free scored Gold 94%, explaining that "this album comes from a deep place of artistic excellence... it deserves applause."[11] Wilfred Okiche of 360nobs described the album as a "safe pop album" that showcases his influences, including jùjú, highlife, and Afro jùjú, but lacks a clear artistic identity. The album balances themes of faith and love with tracks like "Pick Up" aggressively pushing a divine intervention narrative, while songs like "Work" and "Paradise" stand out for their adventurous sound and fine songwriting. Okiche concluded that while Gold is "sugary sweet" and appealing, Adekunle Gold has yet to prove himself as "the real deal."[13]
Accolades
[edit]Gold was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2017 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[14] It was also nominated for Album of the Year and Best R&B/Pop Album at The Headies 2018.[15]
| Year | Awards ceremony | Award description(s) | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Album of the Year | Nominated |
| 2018 | The Headies | Best R&B/Pop Album | |
| Album of the Year |
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Gold (Intro)" | Adekunle Kosoko | SeyiKeyz | 1:17 |
| 2. | "My Life" | Kosoko | SeyiKeyz | 3:07 |
| 3. | "Beautiful Night" | Kosoko | Oscar Heman-Ackah | 3:57 |
| 4. | "Orente" | Kosoko | Oscar Heman-Ackah | 3:36 |
| 5. | "Nurse Alabere" | Kosoko | SeyiKeyz | 3:40 |
| 6. | "Friend Zone" | Kosoko | Pheelz | 3:27 |
| 7. | "Paradise" | Kosoko | Pheelz | 3:10 |
| 8. | "No Forget" (featuring Simi) |
| Oscar Heman-Ackah | 4:00 |
| 9. | "Pick Up" | Kosoko | Pheelz | 3:22 |
| 10. | "Work" | Kosoko | B.Banks | 3:23 |
| 11. | "Temptation" | Kosoko | Sleekamo | 3:30 |
| 12. | "Ariwo Ko" | Kosoko | Pheelz | 3:04 |
| 13. | "Fight for You" | Kosoko | Oscar Heman-Ackah | 4:15 |
| 14. | "Ready" | Kosoko | Pheelz | 3:36 |
| 15. | "Sweet Me" | Kosoko | Masterkraft | 3:15 |
| Total length: | 54:29 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16. | "Sade" | Kosoko | Pheelz | 3:46 |
References
[edit]- ^ "adekunleGOLD - Sade". NotJustOk. 19 December 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- ^ Jimmy King (5 March 2015). "Video: YBNL Presents Adekunle Gold – Sade". tooXclusive. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- ^ Mayowa (2 July 2015). "YBNL Act, Adekunle Gold Sings 'Orente'". Channels TV. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- ^ Olumide Adesida (1 December 2015). "Adekunle Gold drops new tune 'Pick Up'". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- ^ Tomi Idowu (4 April 2016). "Music: Ready- Adekunle Gold". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- ^ Oluseyi AK (14 November 2016). "Premiere: Adekunle Gold – My Life". NotJustOk. Archived from the original on 22 November 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- ^ {{cite web|url=https://soundcity.tv/new-video-adekunle-gold-work/%7Ctitle=New Video: Adekunle Gold – Work|website=[[Soundcity TV]|date=1 May 2017|access-date=22 December 2024}}
- ^ "Adekunle Gold's album debuts on Billboard music chart". TheCable. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
- ^ a b Tola Sarumi (8 August 2016). "Adekunle Gold: Gold Album Review". NotJustOk. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- ^ a b Joey Akan (28 July 2016). "Adekunle Gold creates a new way in "Gold" album". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Adekunle Gold - Gold [Album Review] - FilterFree". Filterfree.ng. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
- ^ a b Temitope Delano (3 August 2016). "Adekunle Gold – Gold Album Review". tooXclusive. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
- ^ Wilfred Okiche (9 August 2016). "Album Review: Adekunle Gold – Gold". 360nobs. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ Durosomo, Damola (11 July 2017). "Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Jidenna and More Nominated For 2017 Nigeria Entertainment Awards". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
- ^ Praise, Billy (5 May 2018). "The HEADIES 2018: Full List Of Winners". Guardian Life. Retrieved 17 March 2019.