Adekunle Gold Signs International Deal With Def Jam, Unveils Album Release Plans

The afropop star, since his rebranding from Adekunle Gold to AG Baby, has continued to hit major milestones.

By Ademola Bashorun

Nigerian Afro-fusion singer, songwriter, and performer, Adekunle Kosoko, popularly known as Adekunle Gold, has signed a mouth-watering deal with an American multinational music recording company.

The father of one whose brand transitioning process from “Adekunle Gold” to “AG Baby” was one for the books continues to explore the path of being an afropop rockstar.

According to reports by Billboard, the 36-year-old singer has inked a deal with the American multinational music recording label Def Jam, which is headed by Nigerian music executive Tunji Balogun.

In a statement issued by the company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Tunji lauded Adekunle Gold for his craft, vocals, and showmanship, making it known that he has been following his music from way back. He said:

I’ve been following Adekunle Gold since I first heard his record ‘Sade’ in 2016,” he said. “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.

AG Baby equally expressed his excitement at joining the international label that has been home to legends like Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West, and others. The Afropop singer also expressed how happy he is about working with his Nigerian brother, Tunji Balogun. He said:

He understands it. So signing to Tunji makes sense. He’s like my studio buddy that just comes everywhere I go. The day he doesn’t have time to be there, I know he must’ve been like stupidly busy. He’s great.

The track record is there. The history is there. They break artists, and they have niche, unique artists like me, so I think it’s the right move for me. All of the things that I’ve done for myself already, they know already and that’s why they’re on board.”

Having ushered in the deal with a new single with street-hop singer Zinoleesky titled “Party No Dey Stop,” Adekunle Gold is set to release a new album, his fifth, under Def Jam in June 2023.