HNA Magazine
Music · Releases & Reviews
6 October 2026
Feature2 min read
Adekunle Gold Returns to Ancestral Roots for Recording Academy’s Global Spin Performance
The Afropop star performs 'Oba' at the King Kosoko Palace in Lagos to celebrate his sixth studio album, FUJI.
Global Afrobeats star Adekunle Gold has taken the stage for the Recording Academy’s Global Spin series, delivering a significant performance of his track “Oba.” The visual was captured at the King Kosoko Palace in Lagos, Nigeria—a location that serves as the artist’s family’s ancestral palace.
The performance highlights material from his sixth studio album, FUJI, a project that signals a deliberate reconnection with his cultural heritage. The album title serves as an acronym for "Finding Uncharted Journeys Inside," reflecting a period of artistic evolution. Musically, the body of work blends Yoruba percussion and traditional Fuji rhythms with contemporary production, aiming to document what the singer describes as "the sound of Lagos."
“Oba” stands out as a centerpiece of this exploration, notably incorporating a sample of “Iba” by the renowned Nigerian icon Asa. By filming the performance within the historic walls of his family's palace, Adekunle Gold brings the album's themes of lineage and legacy to the forefront.
“I grew up on fuji. It’s at every party, every event. It’s ingrained in me,” Gold stated regarding the project’s inspiration.
A Legacy of Reinvention
Adekunle Gold’s trajectory began as a lead singer in his church choir before his 2016 debut single “Sade” led to a signing with Olamide’s YBNL Nation. Over the past decade, he has maintained a consistent presence in the industry with a catalog including Gold (2016), About 30 (2018), Afro Pop Vol. 1 (2020), Catch Me If You Can (2022), Tequila Ever After (2023), and Many People (2025).
The release of FUJI and its supporting visuals continue his pattern of sonic reinvention. To further support the project, Adekunle Gold is scheduled to bring his sound to North American stages with live orchestral performances this summer. The tour stops include Meridian Hall in Toronto on July 2, 2026, followed by a performance at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark on July 3, 2026.
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