| Afro Pop Vol. 1 | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 21 August 2020 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 29:00 | |||
| Label | EMI | |||
| Adekunle Gold chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Afro Pop, Vol. 1 | ||||
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Afro Pop Vol. 1 is the third studio album by Nigerian singer and songwriter Adekunle Gold and was released on 21 August 2020 by EMI.
After the release of his sophomore album, About 30 (2018), Adekunle Gold felt the need for a sound-shift. In an interview with Pulse Nigeria, he clarified that the change isn't a deliberate rebrand but a natural progression of his artistry. [1]
The lead single "Something Different" was released on 1 May 2020, and was produced by Blaisebeatz and co-written by Reekado Banks. [2] The second single "AG Baby" features Trinidadian singer, Nailah Blackman and was released on 17 July 2020. [3]
In a review of Afro Pop Vol. 1 for Pulse Nigeria, Motolani Alake described the album as a "slow burn that will age like fine wine", praising the singer's ability to fuse Afro-pop with Western and electronic elements while maintaining African roots. Alake gave it a 7.6/10 rating, classifying it as a "Victory." [4]
Adewojumi Aderemi of The Native praised the album's genre-blending sound, noting its "unexpected display of musical dexterity" and Gold's ability to appeal to both African and Western audiences without "sounding like a sell-out". [5] The Lagos Review called the album "a jog rather than a sprint" and "easily the artist's finest album". [6]
In Ifeoluwa Adeyemo's review for the Nigerian Entertainment Today , Gold was praised for his evolution into the "AG Baby" persona, fully embracing the pop star life in the album. Adeyemo appreciated that the album felt natural and unforced, referencing Adekunle's philosophy that "Ariwo Ko Ni Music" ("Noise isn't music"). [7]
Afro Pop, Vol. 1 was nominated for Album of the Year at The Headies 2020. [8]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "AG Baby" (with Nailah Blackman) | 2:38 |
| 2. | "Sabina" | 3:08 |
| 3. | "Pretty Girl" (with Patoranking) | 3:07 |
| 4. | "Okay" | 3:06 |
| 5. | "Here for Ya" | 2:57 |
| 6. | "Exclusive" (with Yinka) | 2:55 |
| 7. | "Firewood" (with Tekno) | 3:05 |
| 8. | "Something Different" | 2:56 |
| 9. | "Water Carry Me" | 2:57 |
| 10. | "My Ex" | 2:56 |
| Total length: | 29:00 | |
Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko, known professionally as Adekunle Gold and AG Baby, is a Nigerian Afrobeats singer and songwriter currently signed to Def Jam Recordings. He gained widespread attention after releasing the 2015 hit single "Sade", a highlife cover of One Direction's "Story of My Life". He signed a record deal with YBNL Nation and released his 2015 debut studio album Gold, which debuted at number 7 on the Billboard World Albums chart. Gold was preceded by the release of three singles: "Sade", "Orente" and "Pick Up". Adekunle Gold revealed to Nigerian Entertainment Today that prior to signing with YBNL, he designed the label's official logo and completed other designs for Lil Kesh, Viktoh and Olamide. In 2023, he released "Tequila Ever After", his fifth studio album and first under Def Jam.
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The following is a list of events and releases that have happened or are expected to happen in 2019 in African music.
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The following is a list of events and releases that happened in 2020 in African music.
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