Nigerian music star, Adekunle Gold has acknowledged music producer, Pheelz for helping him to get signed to YNBL.
The highlife singer also praised the YBNL boss, Olamide for bringing him to the limelight through his record label.
Adekunle God who headlined a show on Sunday, at the 4921-capacity O2 Brixton Academy in London, took time out to appreciate persons who helped him on his musical journey.
During his appreciation speech, the 35-year-old singer said: “Pheelz, thank you very much. Pheelz got me signed to YBNL. Pheelz, Mr Finesse, thank you very much. And I want to give a big shout out to Baddo, Olamide. I mean without Olamide, all of you won’t know me today. One more time for Baddo, please,”
Nigerian Singers, Olamide, Wizkid, and Adekunle Gold, Arya Starr, Burna Boy and others emerged winners and went home with awards at the 2022 Headies in Atlanta, United States of America.
The YBNL boss (Olamide) won the Best Rap Album category at this year’s Headies. He won with his album, Carpe Diem.
Also, Wizkid’s hit song ‘Essence’ featuring Tems, won the Best Collaboration and Best R ‘n’ B single at the 15th Headies holding in Atlanta.
Born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, Wizkid also won Album of the year with his ‘Made in Lagos (Deluxe Edition).
Adekunle Gold, on his part, won the Songwriter of the Year with ‘Sinner’.
Nigerian Singers, Olamide, Wizkid, and Adekunle Gold have won individual awards at the ongoing 2022 Headies in Atlanta, United States of America.
Nigerian songwriter, Buju BNXN, won the 2022 Headies Next Rated award.
See the full list of winners below
Best Rap Album – Olamide (Carpe Diem)
Best Collaboration – Wizkid feat. Tems (Essence)
Best R ‘n’ B Single – Wizkid feat. Tems (Essence)
Album of the Year – Wizkid (Made in Lagos (Deluxe Edition)
Best Afrobeat Album – Wizkid (Made in Lagos)
Songwriter of the Year – Adekunle Gold (Sinner).
Best Music Video – TG Omori (Champion – Fireboy DML feat. D Smoke)
Artiste of the Year – Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Best Male Artiste – Burna Boy
Digital Artiste of the Year – Davido
Best Recording of the Year – Patoranking (Celebrate Me)
Producer of the Year – SARZ (Monalisa – Lojay and SARZ)
Famous Nigerian rapper, Olamide Adedeji, has revealed that he nearly signed Afropop singer, Stanley Omah Didia a.k.a Omah Lay, into his music label (YBNL).
According to the YBNL founder, he offered to sign Omah Lay to his record label but the hitmaker turned him down.
The YBNL boss disclosed this recently in an online interview with media personality, Adesope Olajide on Afrobeats Podcast.
According to Baddo, someone had sent him Omah Lay’s EP, Bad Influence and after he listened to it, he was really impressed by the song and he searched for him on Instagram to buzz him.
When Olamide finally reached him with a music record deal, Omah Lay told him that he already had a deal signed with another music label.
See top 10 artists that benefited from Olamide’s spotlight and co-sign:
Olamide has endorsed certain acts with his co-sign and other times, he’s signed them.
Olamide and his label, YBNL have contributed to some of the biggest music careers in recent Nigerian history. While some have since left him in acrimony, most retain respect for him. When his 10th studio project, 999 EP was announced on February 9, 2020, Adekunle Gold and Fireboy, two artists he’s helped announced the album on Twitter NG.
Xino
Xino is definitely the most ineffectual YBNL signing. Signed almost at the same time as Chinko Ekun, the Plateau State-born artist released two singles, ‘TTYL’ and ‘Nakam’ on the label before exiting in acrimonious circumstances per 2016.
Upon his exit from the label, the singer gave an exclusive interview to Showtime where he took swipes at Olamide, “YBNL management and other labels in Nigeria need to adopt an entrepreneurial system that focuses on artiste development because there is zero fan base in Nigeria.
Picazo Rhap
In November 2018, Picazo Rhap went from the Nigerian rapper creating viral freestyle videos on random beats to a social media sensation. One morning, his freestyle to smash hit, ‘Able God’ went viral on Twitter.
It was almost like he knew the video would go viral. Picazo was featured on the YBNL Mafia Family album and things changed. He got his own single and video, ‘Macaroni.’ But soon after the ‘Lyta saga,’ he also announced his exit from YBNL. He is now with Senior Boyz Records.
Viktoh
Edo State-born Nigerian rapper, Viktoh signed to YBNL in 2014 – around the same time as Lil Kesh.
While signed to the label, the rapper/singer with the unique style and technique released a strings of singles like the mildly successful hit, ‘Skiibi Dat’ to other singles like ‘Say Dem Say,’ ‘All My Ladies,’ and ‘Mad Jam.’
When things didn’t really work out for him, his exit was confirmed in a December 2016 report by NET alongside Adekunle Gold’s and Chinko Ekun’s. News of his exit had, however, been making the rounds since April.
Davolee Ileka
In November 2016, Olamide signed Davolee. This was after the exodus that involved Chinko Ekun, Lil Kesh, Viktoh and Adekunle Gold. The label needed some fresh blood and it duly got one.
His signing got announcements on Olamide’s Facebook and Instagram pages with the message, “Artiste ‘Davolee’ new YBNL boy… new song… Festival Bar…Davolee Ileka.”
Between 2016 and 2018 that he was assumed to be on the label, he released two genuinely impressive songs, 2017’s B-Banks-produced ‘Festival Bar’ and 2018’s ‘Cirocing.’ His talent was apparent was never apparent, but it was never truly backed up with any hits.
Lyta
Singer, Lyta was discovered by Olamide while he was on the streets. During his stint with the label, he released the September 19, 2018 buzz singles, ‘Self Made’ and ‘Time,’ both featuring Olamide. He arrived at YBNL a little before Picazo, Yomi Blaize and Fireboy DML.
But after the rumblings of his YBNL exit from YBNL earlier in the year, he finally jumped on Naijaloaded TV to confirm the end of his mixed affiliation with YBNL. During the interview, he claimed that though he was paid between 50,000 and 80,000 for shows, he never had a written contract with the label.
He said, “I don’t have any deal with YBNL or Olamide. Olamide saw me on the street and helped me, I don’t have any written contract with him… YBNL and Olamide with always be part of my story. God bless Olamide, thank you for everything. No love lost.
“Yes, I was getting benefits. The used to pay me for shows. Sometimes 80k, 60k to 50k. But when I dropped my songs, ‘Temi’ and ‘Selfmade,’ I didn’t get anything.”
Olamide also responded and claimed that YBNL has a promotion calendar that Lyta was unwilling to follow. When other artists started getting their shine, the rapper claimed Lyta became unhappy. So, to avoid “bad energy” Olamide claims he unfollowed Lyta on Instagram.
Chinko Ekun
While still a Law Student at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, the rapper with the ridiculously hilarious Mandarin gimmick signed to YBNL.
But sadly, only Xino had a quieter stint at YBNL than Chinko Ekun. He had the name, but it was never really backed up for one reason or the other – presumably schooling and schedules.
His biggest act at the label was probably the Day In The Studio freestyle. When he left the label in 2016, he posted the following message to Olamide, “@baddosneh gave me a voice when nobody did and put me on . Come rain come shine I am forever grateful for impact in my life!”
Fireboy
In 2018, Fireboy joined YBNL Nation as part of its third wave of artists alongside Lyta, Limerick, Picazo Rhap and Yomi Blaize. However, his signing was the most unheralded of his set. Asides Lyta, the other signees had some rep on social media as freestyle rappers.
In his personal journey, 2018 was also a turning point. On his own, he released singles like ‘King’ and ‘Sing’ alongside Oxlade. But then came December 2018, Olamide released a collaboration album with his signees. Again, nobody looked out for Fireboy till his song, ‘Jealous’ became the biggest on the album.
Since then, he has gone from strength to strength. His first solo album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps is one of the best-received ever in Nigerian pop. He is still the label and things look good. But then, we never know.
Adekunle Gold
In 2016, he left the label after releasing his debut album, Gold on July 28, 2016.
Upon his exit from the label, the singer said this of his stint, “YBNL moved me. I had Sade before YBNL and it was already getting popular. When I got signed to the label, we shot the video and it became like a sensation everywhere.
“Getting signed to YBNL took me to London for the first time. That was in 2015. So, YBNL changed everything for me. I am grateful to Olamide for all the support and inspiration.”
Lil Kesh
Ololade Keshinro was signed to YBNL around April 2014. To commemorate the signing, Olamide wrote on social media that, “Lil kesh @mynameiskesh …. Time bomb lomoyen .. E go soon blow.”
He was right. Lil Kesh went on an almost peerless run between April 2014 and April 2016. By January 2016 when Lil Kesh lost the next rated award at the Headies to Reekado Banks, he truly had five back-to-back hits.
Some of those hits were, ‘Lyrically,’ ‘Shoki,’ ‘Shoki (Remix’),’ ‘Gbese,‘ and ‘Efejoku.’ This made the loss to Reekado a particularly tough pill to swallow.
On April 26, 2016, Lil Kesh released a statement confirming the expiration of his contract with YBNL. He also released one album with the label. ‘YAGI‘ was released in March 2016, just before his exit from the label.
In late 2018, he collaborated with Olamide on the controversial single, ‘Logo Benz.’
Pheelz
Phillip Kayode is not really an artist, but his case is peculiar. In 2013, Olamide released his album, Baddest Guy Ever Liveth and most of its songs were produced by the then-Pheelz Mr Producer. On the album, track three is titled ‘Rep Adugbo’ and it features Pheelz as an artist alongside Buckwyla.
Again, Pheelz is no artist but Olamide has been his vessel to success in Nigerian music – it all started with that moment.. For the 2010s, Pulse named him as second best producer of the decade.
Popular Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold has revealed he battled with sickle cell anemia from birth and how frustrating and painful it was at some point in his life.
In an intimate letter to fans, Adekunle stated that at a stage, his family couldn’t afford the hospital bills so he had to endure the pain.
He wrote: “It feels liberating to finally be able to share this part of my life with you, to finally be able to speak my truth. When I talk about how I struggled to get to where I am today, I need you to know that my struggle was real. I was born with sickle cell disease. It was life and death, it was physical, mental, financial, you name it and I went through it all. It was tough, painful, and frustrating. I lived with a sickness no one around me understood, I lived with restrictions all my childhood.
“I wasn’t able to join some of the most minor child play and liberating activities like going out in the rain. The times when I insisted and rebelled against my parent’s orders and went out in the rain, I would end up having a crisis. The nights were painful and lonely, nights that no one could help me get through. It was just me, God, and my mind. The pains and shivers were unbearable.
“They always came in the night, when my family had no means to transport me to a hospital. We simply couldn’t afford the constant hospital bills so I had no choice but to endure the pain.
“My mum wanted me to be well, she did her best. She took me to all the churches she could find, I’m grateful for her because she saw a future for me.
“A future where no illness or sickness could hold me back from my purpose. From the life, I was destined to live.
“Sickle cell disease took away my freedom, my childhood. I lost friends, a lot of them. Some didn’t understand the restrictions and rules I had to live by, some just didn’t want to deal with my Illness or thought it was a nasty or contagious disease that they could catch. I was a burden for some. Living with sickle cell is far from living a normal life.
“One of the most intense crises I had was at the age of 20, I remember laying in my bed in the middle of the night asking for an end to it all. I begged God to take my life away because I couldn’t understand what I did to deserve the pain my body and mind were under. As usual with sickle crisis after some days, the pain subsided and God asked me; “That end you begged me for, do you still want it?” Of course, I said no and that’s when everything changed for me. That’s when I realized that I had been given another opportunity to live my dreams and to show those that mocked me that sickle cell anemia was never going to end me, that it was never going to hold me back from my dreams and aspirations.
“My body caves in once in a while, and some symptoms come back but what this disease has taught me is resilience. Sickle cell anemia gave me hope, made me tough, gave me the discipline I needed to be who I am today, and built my character. I mean I went through a whole 5 weeks of back-to-back performances and didn’t fall sick. Grace.
“My mind and body were challenged and I’m stronger, more determined, and ready to take on the world. I’m ready for Adekunle Gold Supremacy, I’m ready to live and enjoy the 5 Star life that I deserve, that my body toiled for.
“I’m sharing my testimony with you because I hope that you can find strength in my truth. Some ailments hold us back but I’m thankful this hasn’t. I want to encourage you in whatever it is you’re going through, know that there is hope. You are strong and you must not give up. YOU CAN DO THIS!
“Victory lies at the end for you just as it did for me.
“If you know anyone going through any struggle, physical, health, or mental. Be kind, and show compassion. In fact, be kind to everyone, you just never know what they’re dealing with privately. Be supportive, be gentle, and love endlessly.
“If you are a sickler, know that the disease does not define you. Don’t allow it to limit your dreams or cap your potential. Spread your wings and dream big! Hope to see you soaring in the big skies.
As YBNL music label boss, Olamide Gbenga Adedeji, popularly known as Baddo, clocks 32 years on Tuesday, Afrobeats singer, Fireboy DML, and Adekunle Gold have showered encomiums on him.
Adekunle Gold, a former artiste under the YBNL label, sent birthday wishes to his former boss in a tweet, saying, “Happy Birthday @Olamide Blessings, Baba Milli.”
Olamide was born March 15, 1989 and his impact in the music industry within the past 10 years has redefined indigenous rap in Nigeria.
Fireboy DML, who has always seized every opportunity to hail his mentor, described Baddo Sneh as his ‘biggest inspiration’ and one of his ‘favourite human beings in this world’ on his 33rd birthday.
Taking to his Instagram, the Fireboy DML shared a photo of the celebrant accompanied with accolades and prayers.
“Biggest inspiration. One of my favourite human beings in this world. God bless you as you have continued to be a blessing to this generation. Happy birthday to the ‘GOAT’ (Greatest of All Times),” Fireboy DML wrote.
The YBNL music label boss boasts of several nominations and awards locally and internationally. This includes the Album of the year, as well as Rap Act of the Year in the 2016 Nigerian Entertainment Awards.
His last album, Carpe Diem, released in October 2020 still enjoys massive airplay globally.
Singing sensation, Adekunle Gold has stated that he was underestimated on numerous occasions in the past.
The music star made this known while reflecting on his past struggles and career strides in a newsletter sent to his fans obtained by TheNewsGuru.
The ‘Sinner’ crooner said: “…worked so hard to push myself and my creativity…I actually can’t count the amount of no’s I got. The feeling of being constantly overlooked, undercooked, disrespected and maligned is not a pleasant one,” he said.
He also stated that “not long too long ago,” he had not enough money on him to give his fans craving to get his attention.
“There were days where the fans were plenty but the pocket was very empty and this wasn’t too long ago,” he continued.
The revered vocalist also opened up on dealing with inherent bottlenecks in the music industry, saying such makes transparency difficult.
“I am going to be as transparent with you as I possibly can, even though this industry makes it difficult to be and your worth is measured based on how much you can package,” he said.
Adekunle Gold said in spite of the odds, he remains grateful for what he has been able to achieve. He also enjoined those bracing similar experiences not to give up.
“I am particularly thankful for the journey. I know that our world celebrates the destination but I am learning daily that life really is about how we journey,” he added.
“Don’t let anyone cheat you out of a struggle or a hard experience, ma fi ago alago sise, don’t let social nonsense rush your process. Struggle, cry, feel the depths of your pain. Feel it! It’s only then that you are able to recognise when times are good.”
Nigerian singer Adekunle Kosoko, known professionally as Adekunle Gold was captured on camera in the stadium during Manchester United’s 4-1 defeat to Watford.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the photo has gone viral on social media with Nigerians mocking the singer as he looked morose throughout the match which saw Manchester United eventually sacking its head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Adekunle Gold was especially captured by stadium cameras with the match at 2-1 in the 91st minute and 4 minutes remaining in added time. Watford eventually went on to win the match 4-1.
See photo below:
In reaction, Adekunle Gold tweeted:
Manchester United fell to the disappointing Premier League defeat at Watford on Saturday afternoon, as the hosts scored twice in each half.
It was an afternoon to forget for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team as the Red Devils lost their first match following the international break.
The encounter at Vicarage Road got off to a manic start with David De Gea saving not one but two Ismaila Sarr penalties as the Senegalese’s first attempt had to be retaken.
However, first-half goals from Joshua King and Ismaila Sarr ensured Claudio Ranieri’s side still went into the break two goals up.
Donny van de Beek joined Anthony Martial in coming off the bench at the start of the second half and the Dutchman restored hope for the Reds by scoring swiftly, in the 50th minute.
A turnaround seemed possible but when Harry Maguire was sent off for collecting two yellow cards, it made United’s comeback task more difficult.
In stoppage time, Joao Pedro and Emmanuel Dennis put the game to bed as the Hornets ran out 4-1 winners under the floodlights.
Nigerian songstress, Simisola Kosoko popularly known as Simi on Friday shielded her husband, Adekunle Gold, against a Twitter user who said that she wrote all his hit songs.
The Twitter user made a post claiming that the ‘Duduke’ crooner is the brain behind all her husband’s hit songs.
“Simi don write hit songs for Adekunle Gold taya,” the user wrote.
Coming to her husband’s defense, the award winning singer debunked the claim, saying that Adekunle puts the work and he is an awesome writer.
“False, ya’ll need to stop discrediting my man ok? He puts the work in and he is an awesome awesome awesome writer,” she wrote.
In a recent post on Twitter, Simi knocked a critic who made a comparison between herself and her colleague Arya Starr.
The user inferred that Simi has fallen off the music charts as people now listen to Arya Starr more than they do her.
Reacting to the remark, Simi knocked the Twitter user saying, “Ur papa wey no fall off, where he dey?”
Afro-pop singer, Adekunle Gold has stated that he used to have stage fright and shaky vocals.Gold made this known in a personalized email to fans on Tuesday.
The ‘Sinner’ crooner said: “I used to have so much stage fright with shaky vocals while I performed. Some nights on stage I didn’t even know how to engage the crowd if there was any technical issue. so many funny stories from that year.
“But look all that is gone now, it’s all about growing, I’m still growing and AG Baby is in the building. I have had so much fun in different cities, every song I performed went off and the energy has been really crazy”.
Gold also noted that he is now rounding off his next studio album which would be coming as his fourth.
“It hasn’t been easy juggling everything with family life. I decided that I’ll take a week off, something I had never done since the beginning of my career. To the detriment of myself, I don’t know how to stop,” the singer said.
“I keep going. With me there’s no end to anything, I’m always onto the next thing. Well after this week, I’ve learned how to use the pause button. It’s okay to take some time off to breathe! Like we often say, ‘problem no dey finish’.
“If things have been insane on your end as well, take some minutes off and even more time if you can afford it. A sad reality is that if you break down today, life will keep happening and you’ll soon realize life truly goes on.
“Very humbling, I must say. Take time to check your health and actively do whatever you need to stay alive.”
“You people won’t even let me sing my songs to you, you want to perform at the top of your voices to me. In the middle of this, I have been rounding off my album and working on the film project I told you about last time.”
Gold has released three albums so far, namely: ‘Gold’ (2016), ‘About 30’ (2018), and ‘Afropop’ (2020).
Singer, Adekunle Gold has recounted how he lost an opportunity to another colleague.
The ‘Okay’ crooner revealed that the colleague already has a lot going on and has a lot already.
Sharing his experience via his newsletter obtained by TheNewsGuru, AG Baby as he is fondly called said:”Recently, I did a beautiful pitch for something I wanted to create for my fans, after vying for it for weeks, they came back and told me they had picked another colleague who is absolutely deserving and qualified but that guy has a lot already and I know my pitch was frigging ‘dope’ “.
Speaking further, Adekunle Gold said celebrities are human too and are not immune to feeling bad.
“What? You don’t think celebrities are human, and we get jealous? And we work hard? And it’s not just designers and accolades, that we want things too? We want to grow, we have milestones, we have dreams, desires etc? We feel it all and are immune to nothing.
In life we are told that the sky is big enough for all birds to fly but if you are Nigerian, you know it’s a myth to believe such nonsense. The proverb says one thing but our experience, our hustle, our struggles as a nation remind us every day that if you make it, it will be the greatest miracle of all time.
But let me tell you something, if you carry that poisonous mindset, that the sky is small, that the world is a triangle; that mindset will breed jealousy, hatred, envy and covetousness, all real and very human feelings that even I feel daily but also a massive distraction from the finish line”.
In reaction, Adekunle Gold tweeted:
Manchester United fell to the disappointing Premier League defeat at Watford on Saturday afternoon, as the hosts scored twice in each half.
