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Adekunle Gold Opens Up About His Relentless Hustle, Daughter’s Criticism, and Learning to Live in the Moment
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Adekunle Gold, popularly known as AG Baby, has opened up about his tireless work ethic, revealing that he has not taken a real break since releasing his debut album, Gold.
The 38-year-old singer, who made his breakthrough in 2014 with Sade, shared insights into his journey, highlighting his deep hunger for success.
Despite earning a degree in art and industrial design from Lagos State Polytechnic (now Lagos State University of Science and Technology), he explored multiple career paths—photography, graphic design, and branding—before fully pursuing music.
“From what I can remember, there were no examples around me of what I wanted to become. I knew there was more for me to be, and I wanted it. So when I finished secondary school, the chase began,” AG Baby recalled in an interview with The Nation Newspaper.
— BIG FISH 🦈 (@adekunleGOLD) February 19, 2025
Even after gaining recognition and dropping his debut album under Olamide’s YBNL, the singer admitted that no achievement ever felt enough.
“For every win I had, I was chasing 10 more. I didn’t know what it felt like to enjoy my wins. I didn’t know how to stop. And sometimes, to breathe, to be in the moment, to live, you have to pause and take a look at your wins,” he reflected.
However, it took an unexpected voice—his four-year-old daughter, Deja—to make him reconsider his approach to life.
“Daddy, you are always serious about everything,” Deja told him one day. When AG Baby tried to dismiss it, she insisted, “Yes, you are.”
New Age.
New Energy.
Same Vision.
🌞🦈🌞 pic.twitter.com/H6Y5L3lxGv— BIG FISH 🦈 (@adekunleGOLD) January 28, 2025
Her words struck a chord.
“Many people have thrown my seriousness in my face over the years, and I have not taken it very seriously (pun intended). But to hear my daughter echo the same sentiment to me, unprovoked, it made me wonder,” he admitted.
Reflecting on his upbringing, AG Baby noted that his father was a strict disciplinarian who rarely laughed, making joy and levity rare in their household.
“My dad was a very strict man. He rarely laughed with us, and when he did, it felt like it was a better day than usual. I wonder if it’s genetic,” he mused.
Glacier ✨ pic.twitter.com/1JrFyUnfLC
— BIG FISH 🦈 (@adekunleGOLD) December 29, 2024
Determined to strike a balance between success and enjoying life, AG Baby shared that he has now made a pact with himself—to slow down, celebrate his wins, and embrace the moments that truly matter.
“As dramatic as it sounds, I haven’t rested since the Gold album. Of all the people who have called me out for being too serious, Deja’s voice has been the loudest. I have made a pact with myself (the 22nd one) to relax and enjoy more, be more in the moment, to let my hair down (I cut it all off sha). I am a being, not a machine I’m supposed to be.”
Adekunle Gold’s journey continues to inspire fans, proving that while ambition is necessary, true success also lies in knowing when to pause and appreciate life’s blessings.