By Chidiebere Nwobodo
On African Voices Playmakers starting from this weekend, a magazine show sponsored by leading telecommunications company, Globacom, on Cable News Network (CNN), popular Afropop musician, Adekunle Almaruf Kosoko, known as Adekunle Gold, will discuss his advocacy for sickle cell disease.
Renowned for his intricate lyrics and distinctive performances, Adekunle Gold shares with CNN’s correspondent and the 30-minute show anchor, Larry Madowo, how he overcame the inevitable consequences of the crippling illness to reach the height of his career despite the associated difficulties.
After fighting it behind closed doors for his whole life, he has, over time, devoted his influence to spreading awareness and mobilizing support for individuals who are also coping with the sickness.
In this first in-depth, emotional, and candid interview on the subject, Madowo discusses living with the illness and how it has shaped Adekunle Gold’s newfound mission in life.
With a Higher National Diploma in Arts and Design from Lagos State Polytechnic, the 37-year-old musician has built an interesting career.
After releasing the smash hit song, “Sade” in 2015, he received a lot of praise and was nominated for a 2015 Headies Best Alternative Song. One Direction’s “Story of My Life” was covered in a highlife style by “Sade.”
His first studio album, “Gold”, debuted that year and peaked at number seven on the Billboard World Albums chart.
He also inked a record deal with YBNL Nation.
This followed the release of his three songs, “Sade,” “Orente,” and “Pick Up”. In 2023, he put out his fifth studio album, “Tequila Ever After”.
Adekunle Gold, who has been married to the equally successful singer Simi since 2019, has won several accolades, including Songwriter of the Year for The Headies in 2023, BEST NEW ACCEPTANCE ACADEMY from the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in 2015 and 2016, Album of the Year from the City People Entertainment Awards in 2016 and 2017.
DSTV Channel 401 will air African Voices Playmakers on Saturday at 8.30 a.m. Reruns will air that same day at 12:00 p.m., 4.30 a.m., and 7:00 p.m. Monday at 4 a.m., Saturday at 8.30 a.m. and 12 p.m., Sunday at 4.30 a.m. and 7 p.m., and Monday at 4 a.m. are the times when the edition will be replayed.
