Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Adekunle Gold has credited renowned music producer Pheelz for his pivotal role in securing a record deal with Olamide's YBNL Nation.
This disclosure was made in a viral video circulating on social media, where Adekunle Gold detailed the events leading to his breakthrough.
Adekunle Gold, born Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko on January 28, 1987, shared that his journey to stardom began with the release of his hit single "Sade" in 2015.
The track, which is a highlife cover of One Direction's "Story of My Life," caught the attention of Pheelz, who then introduced it to Olamide, the founder of YBNL Nation. "Pheelz heard my song 'Sade' and sent it to Olamide," Adekunle Gold recounted. "After Olamide heard the song, he called me and signed me to his record label immediately."
The singer further revealed that his relationship with Olamide predated this event, as he had previously worked as a graphic designer for the label, creating the YBNL logo and cover art for artists like Lil Kesh and Vector. "I already had a relationship with Olamide before the time because I was the one that designed the YBNL logo for him," he explained.
This signing marked a turning point in Adekunle Gold's career, leading to the release of his debut studio album, "Gold," on July 28, 2016.
The album featured popular tracks such as "Orente" and "Pick Up," solidifying his place in the Nigerian music scene. Reflecting on his journey, Adekunle Gold expressed gratitude towards Olamide for recognizing his potential beyond graphic design. "Pheelz was like, I think you should sign this guy. So, Olamide called me, signed me, and my life changed," he stated.
Since his departure from YBNL after his contract expired, Adekunle Gold has continued to make waves in the music industry, releasing several albums including "About 30" (2018), "Afropop" (2020), "Catch Me If You Can" (2022), and "Tequila Ever After" (2023).
As of March 2023, he is signed to Def Jam Recordings, further expanding his international reach.
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