At a beer parlour recently, Adekunle Kosoko, popularly known as Adekunle Gold, was at the centre of a discussion. But it was not for a reason the present holder of Headies’ alternative musician of the year award and his loyalists would love to hear. Inasmuch as the outcome of the conversation has no power to change anything, there is something quite revealing about it.
As soon as his music came up on the playlist, a deep-voiced man reacted: “This song sounds like one song by Adekunle called ‘Baba God pick up my call.’ The man who was savouring his glass of beer was making reference to Adekunle’s song, titled, ‘Pickup’. In the song, he wished he had money like Dangote and Otedola. The song related with the dreams of many Nigerians and it made huge impact last year. But at that point, it didn’t dawn on the man that the song, ‘Ready,’ was also the handiwork of Adekunle.
Other keen followers of the YBNL singer have also shared a similar view at different times. And after putting the song on continuous replay, I was forced to stand by them too.
‘Ready’s style is so alike with ‘Pickup’; the lyrics too. In simple terms, everything about ‘Ready’ shares similarities with ‘Pickup’. If it were to be a movie, one would not be wrong to say ‘Ready’ is the part 2 or continuation of ‘Pickup’.
This time last year, Adekunle was struggling to get shows. When I called his personal number in February, I heard a strange voice at the other side of the line. Despite being in the country, the young man told me I could only reach Adekunle in two weeks. I quickly understood that the game had changed, he was no longer the Adekunle I used to reach easily. But fame also comes with bigger expectation.
As harsh as this could sound on his producer, Pheelz, it would be wise if Adekunle tries to work with other producers. A singer of his caliber needs to work with other producers like Cohbams Asuquo, TY Mix, Don Jazzy, Legendary Beat and a host of others to make different sounds.
Though it is still a good song, ‘Ready’, so far, is Adekunle’s weakest attempt in music. But he has a whole lot of time to redeem himself and make more beautiful sounds.
For people who don’t know his ability or have forgotten him so soon, he gave us beautiful songs like ‘Shade’ for single men, ‘Orente’ for the independent and loyal African women and ‘Pickup’ for people who are still looking up to God for wealth. He also won two major awards last year at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) and Headies. All he needs is to start demonstrating his versatility and deepness if he wants to stay in the consciousness of people for a long time.
But Adekunle is not the only culprit. Kiss Daniel was once condemned for making his song, ‘Laye,’ sound like the song that brought him into limelight, ‘Woju’. Pepenazi’s ‘Illegal’ sounds like ‘One For The Road.’ Olamide’s ‘Bobo’ has similarities with ‘Abule Sowo’. The list is endless.
