Afro Pop Vol. 1 is the third studio album by Nigerian singer and songwriter Adekunle Gold and was released on 21 August 2020 by EMI.
| Afro Pop Vol. 1 | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 21 August 2020 | |||
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| Length | 29:00 | |||
| Label | EMI | |||
| Adekunle Gold chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Afro Pop, Vol. 1 | ||||
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Background
editAfter the release of his sophomore album, About 30 (2018), Adekunle Gold felt the need for a sound-shift. In an interview with Pulse Nigeria, he clarified that the change isn't a deliberate rebrand but a natural progression of his artistry.[1]
The lead single "Something Different" was released on 1 May 2020, and was produced by Blaisebeatz and co-written by Reekado Banks.[2] The second single "AG Baby" features Trinidadian singer, Nailah Blackman and was released on 17 July 2020.[3]
Reception
editIn a review of Afro Pop Vol. 1 for Pulse Nigeria, Motolani Alake described the album as a "slow burn that will age like fine wine", praising the singer's ability to fuse Afro-pop with Western and electronic elements while maintaining African roots. Alake gave it a 7.6/10 rating, classifying it as a "Victory."[4]
Adewojumi Aderemi of The Native praised the album's genre-blending sound, noting its "unexpected display of musical dexterity" and Gold's ability to appeal to both African and Western audiences without "sounding like a sell-out".[5] The Lagos Review called the album "a jog rather than a sprint" and "easily the artist's finest album".[6]
In Ifeoluwa Adeyemo's review for the Nigerian Entertainment Today, Gold was praised for his evolution into the "AG Baby" persona, fully embracing the pop star life in the album. Adeyemo appreciated that the album felt natural and unforced, referencing Adekunle's philosophy that "Ariwo Ko Ni Music" ("Noise isn't music").[7]
Accolades
editAfro Pop, Vol. 1 was nominated for Album of the Year at The Headies 2020.[8]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "AG Baby" (with Nailah Blackman) | 2:38 |
| 2. | "Sabina" | 3:08 |
| 3. | "Pretty Girl" (with Patoranking) | 3:07 |
| 4. | "Okay" | 3:06 |
| 5. | "Here for Ya" | 2:57 |
| 6. | "Exclusive" (with Yinka) | 2:55 |
| 7. | "Firewood" (with Tekno) | 3:05 |
| 8. | "Something Different" | 2:56 |
| 9. | "Water Carry Me" | 2:57 |
| 10. | "My Ex" | 2:56 |
| Total length: | 29:00 | |
References
edit- ^ Motolani Alake (21 August 2020). "Adekunle Gold: The journey to 'Afro-pop Vol. 1'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (5 May 2020). "There's Something Different About Adekunle Gold..." NotJustOk. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Alake, Motolani (17 July 2020). "Adekunle Gold features Naila Blackman on new single, 'AG Baby'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Motolani Alake (24 August 2020). "'Afro Pop Vol. 1' is Adekunle Gold's best album yet". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Adewojumi Aderemi (24 August 2020). "Review: Adekunle's Gold 'Afropop Vol 1'". The Native. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (23 August 2020). "Adekunle Gold Switches Things Up with Afro Pop Vol. 1". The Lagos Review. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Ifeoluwa Adeyemi (2 September 2020). "5 Take-Aways from Adekunle Gold's Afro Pop, Vol.1 album- A fan Review". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Alake, Motolani (4 December 2020). "Fireboy, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Davido lead 2020 Headies nominations [Pulse Exclusive]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 8 September 2024.