Intro

Welcome to 154 with Royalty Adekunle Gold

Suya Tasting and Cultural Exchange

The Origins of Adekunle Gold's Name

Growing Up Royal in Lagos

Musical Beginnings and Breakthrough

Graphic Design and Musical Journey

Nigerian Music Genres and Cultural Influences

The Power of Music and Language

Enjoying Lagos with a Family

Writing for International Artists

Losing a Father and Finding Inspiration

The Challenges of Ramadan Fasting

Connecting with Pharrell Williams

The Art of Melody Creation

Adekunle Gold, also known as AG Baby, joins One54 Africa for conversation about his Nigerian roots, music career, creativity, family, and the global rise of Afrobeats. The award-winning Afrobeat superstar, singer, songwriter, designer, painter, sculptor, philanthropist, and performer opens up about his Kosoko family’s royal history in Lagos.   

Adekunle Gold reflects on growing up in Lagos, his communal childhood, his family’s religious background, and how singing in church sparked his passion for music. He shares his experience auditioning for MTN Project Fame, and the breakthrough that came after releasing his cover of One Direction’s “Story of My Life,” “Sade.” He also discusses his early work as a graphic designer, being known as the “King of Photoshop.”

AG Baby takes viewers through his evolution as an artist, including his experiences working alongside Nigerian stars such as Skales and Wizkid. He explains how he developed his sound through Nigerian genres including Highlife, Fuji, Juju, Sakara, and Afrobeat. He also discusses the power of melodies and lyrics in Yoruba, and why African artists should not feel pressured to translate their music for Western audiences.

Adekunle Gold opens up about his relationship with Pharrell Williams, including how a Pharrell tweet changed the way he viewed himself as an artist. He explains his unique songwriting process, describing how he spends hours finding melodies before choosing the right one.

The conversation then explores his time signed to Def Jam, creative control, owning masters, artist development, and why young artists need to build themselves beyond having one viral hit. Adekunle Gold reveals how watching Beyoncé perform at Coachella inspired him to completely rethink his own live shows.

AG Baby also discusses writing for Beyoncé and the emotional story behind a song he originally wrote for the Lion King project after losing his father. He talks about Rihanna, Beyoncé, Bill Withers, and the complicated process of clearing interpolations for his album Fuji. He also reflects on family, marriage, fatherhood, misinformation surrounding his children, and his commitment to giving back through his sickle cell foundation. To close, Adekunle Gold discusses the explosive worldwide growth of Afrobeats and what it means to see African music embraced globally. 

Adekunle Gold, also known as AG Baby, joins One54 Africa for conversation about his Nigerian roots, music career, creativity, family, and the global rise of Afrobeats. The award-winning Afrobeat superstar, singer, songwriter, designer, painter, sculptor, philanthropist, and performer opens up about his Kosoko family&rsquo;s royal history in Lagos.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Adekunle Gold reflects on growing up in Lagos, his communal childhood, his family&rsquo;s religious background, and how singing in church sparked his passion for music. He shares his experience auditioning for MTN Project Fame, and the breakthrough that came after releasing his cover of One Direction&rsquo;s &ldquo;Story of My Life,&rdquo; &ldquo;Sade.&rdquo; He also discusses his early work as a graphic designer, being known as the &ldquo;King of Photoshop.&rdquo;
AG Baby takes viewers through his evolution as an artist, including his experiences working alongside Nigerian stars such as Skales and Wizkid. He explains how he developed his sound through Nigerian genres including Highlife, Fuji, Juju, Sakara, and Afrobeat. He also discusses the power of melodies and lyrics in Yoruba, and why African artists should not feel pressured to translate their music for Western audiences.
Adekunle Gold opens up about his relationship with Pharrell Williams, including how a Pharrell tweet changed the way he viewed himself as an artist. He explains his unique songwriting process, describing how he spends hours finding melodies before choosing the right one.
The conversation then explores his time signed to Def Jam, creative control, owning masters, artist development, and why young artists need to build themselves beyond having one viral hit. Adekunle Gold reveals how watching Beyonc&eacute; perform at Coachella inspired him to completely rethink his own live shows.
AG Baby also discusses writing for Beyonc&eacute; and the emotional story behind a song he originally wrote for the Lion King project after losing his father. He talks about Rihanna, Beyonc&eacute;, Bill Withers, and the complicated process of clearing interpolations for his album Fuji. He also reflects on family, marriage, fatherhood, misinformation surrounding his children, and his commitment to giving back through his sickle cell foundation. To close, Adekunle Gold discusses the explosive worldwide growth of Afrobeats and what it means to see African music embraced globally.&nbsp;

One54, hosted by Akbar and Godfrey, is a first of its kind podcast spotlighting the untold stories of African entertainers, athletes and business leaders. Through unfiltered conversations, this podcast reveals the challenges and culture clashes of growing up African in America.

Akbar Gbajabiamila is a former NFL player, sports analyst, and television host best known for co-hosting American Ninja Warrior and CBS' The Talk. Proud of his Nigerian heritage, he brings a dynamic presence to media, blending his athletic background with insightful commentary and a deep connection to his roots.

Godfrey Daneschmah is a comedian and actor who's resume spans over 30 years and known for his sharp wit, spot-on impressions, and energetic stand-up performances. Drawing from his Nigerian heritage, he infuses cultural insight into his comedy, making him a standout voice in the entertainment industry.

One54 - Celebrating Africa’s 54 Countries, One Story At A Time

One54, hosted by Akbar and Godfrey, is a first of its kind podcast spotlighting the untold stories of African entertainers, athletes and business leaders. Through unfiltered conversations, this podcast reveals the challenges and culture clashes of growing up African in America. Akbar Gbajabiamila is a former NFL player, sports analyst, and television host best known for co-hosting American Ninja Warrior and CBS' The Talk. Proud of his Nigerian heritage, he brings a dynamic presence to media, blending his athletic background with insightful commentary and a deep connection to his roots. Godfrey Daneschmah is a comedian and actor who's resume spans over 30 years and known for his sharp wit, spot-on impressions, and energetic stand-up performances. Drawing from his Nigerian heritage, he infuses cultural insight into his comedy, making him a standout voice in the entertainment industry. One54 - Celebrating Africa’s 54 Countries, One Story At A Time

One54, hosted by Akbar and Godfrey, is a first of its kind podcast spotlighting the untold stories of African entertainers, athletes and business leaders. Through unfiltered conversations, this podcast reveals the challenges and culture clashes of...

One 54 Podcast

One54, hosted by Akbar and Godfrey, is a first of its kind podcast spotlighting the untold stories of African entertainers, athletes and business leaders. Through unfiltered conversations, this podcast reveals the challenges and culture clashes of growing up African in America.

Akbar Gbajabiamila is a former NFL player, sports analyst, and television host best known for co-hosting American Ninja Warrior and CBS' The Talk. Proud of his Nigerian heritage, he brings a dynamic presence to media, blending his athletic background with insightful commentary and a deep connection to his roots.

Godfrey Danchimah is a comedian and actor who's resume spans over 30 years and known for his sharp wit, spot-on impressions, and energetic stand-up performances. Drawing from his Nigerian heritage, he infuses cultural insight into his comedy, making him a standout voice in the entertainment industry.

One54 - Celebrating Africa’s 54 Countries, One Story At A Time 

One54, hosted by Akbar and Godfrey, is a first of its kind podcast spotlighting the untold stories of African entertainers, athletes and business leaders. Through unfiltered conversations, this podcast reveals the challenges and culture clashes of growing up African in America. Akbar Gbajabiamila is a former NFL player, sports analyst, and television host best known for co-hosting American Ninja Warrior and CBS' The Talk. Proud of his Nigerian heritage, he brings a dynamic presence to media, blending his athletic background with insightful commentary and a deep connection to his roots. Godfrey Danchimah is a comedian and actor who's resume spans over 30 years and known for his sharp wit, spot-on impressions, and energetic stand-up performances. Drawing from his Nigerian heritage, he infuses cultural insight into his comedy, making him a standout voice in the entertainment industry. One54 - Celebrating Africa&rsquo;s 54 Countries, One Story At A Time&nbsp;

Adekunle Gold, also known as AG Baby, joins One54 Africa for conversation about his Nigerian roots, music career, creativity, family, and the global rise of Afrobeats. The award-winning Afrobeat superstar, singer, songwriter, designer, painter, sculptor, philanthropist, and performer opens up about his Kosoko family’s royal history in Lagos.     Adekunle Gold reflects on growing up in Lagos, his communal childhood, his family’s religious background, and how singing in church sparked his passion for music. He shares his experience auditioning for MTN Project Fame, and the breakthrough that came after releasing his cover of One Direction’s “Story of My Life,” “Sade.” He also discusses his early work as a graphic designer, being known as the “King of Photoshop.”  AG Baby takes viewers through his evolution as an artist, including his experiences working alongside Nigerian stars such as Skales and Wizkid. He explains how he developed his sound through Nigerian genres including Highlife, Fuji, Juju, Sakara, and Afrobeat. He also discusses the power of melodies and lyrics in Yoruba, and why African artists should not feel pressured to translate their music for Western audiences.  Adekunle Gold opens up about his relationship with Pharrell Williams, including how a Pharrell tweet changed the way he viewed himself as an artist. He explains his unique songwriting process, describing how he spends hours finding melodies before choosing the right one.  The conversation then explores his time signed to Def Jam, creative control, owning masters, artist development, and why young artists need to build themselves beyond having one viral hit. Adekunle Gold reveals how watching Beyoncé perform at Coachella inspired him to completely rethink his own live shows.  AG Baby also discusses writing for Beyoncé and the emotional story behind a song he originally wrote for the Lion King project after losing his father. He talks about Rihanna, Beyoncé, Bill Withers, and the complicated process of clearing interpolations for his album Fuji. He also reflects on family, marriage, fatherhood, misinformation surrounding his children, and his commitment to giving back through his sickle cell foundation. To close, Adekunle Gold discusses the explosive worldwide growth of Afrobeats and what it means to see African music embraced globally. 

Adekunle Gold Part 1: Nigerian Roots, Sade, Skales, Wizkid, Fela Kuti, Pharrell & Beyoncé - One54 Africa

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/01c66e4f-dc5f-4041-abe0-b4b70142455f/transcript