Adekunle Gold Unveils ‘FUJI’ Album, A Royal Return to Roots, Yoruba Rhythms

Nigerian singer-songwriter Adekunle Gold has launched his sixth studio album, FUJI, a deeply personal and culturally rooted project that fuses contemporary Afropop with the indigenous sounds that shaped his upbringing. Released on October 3, 2025, the album marks what many see as a full-circle moment in his decade-plus music journey.

What makes FUJI particularly compelling is how it doubles as both a homage to Yoruba musical tradition and an audacious effort to bring genres like fuji, apala, and tungba into modern mainstream light. Ahead of its release, Adekunle Gold teased fans with new singles and revealed intriguing backstory, including that one track was initially written for Beyoncé.

Adekunle Gold has long been known for traversing genres, from soul and pop to afrobeats, while retaining a consistent emotional core. Over the years, his music has hinted at motion toward his roots, but FUJI is the first time he explicitly centers Yoruba indigenous musical aesthetics in the project’s title, sound, and theme.

In an interview, Adekunle explained that the album title began as an acronym — F.U.J.I. = Finding Uncharted Journeys Inside, but he later felt that the name truly embodied what he was doing: leaning fully into the fuji-inflected sound that’s long been part of his sonic DNA. He says:

“Since my first album, I have had a fuji‑sounding song on every album. Even if I sing R&B, I sound fuji.”

The album, which currently lists 15 tracks is built around percussive foundations and Yoruba oral-music techniques, overlaid with polished production and Afropop sensibilities. Elements of apala, tungba, talking drums, and traditional percussion punctuate the beats, giving FUJI both a grounded cultural identity and crossover appeal.

Adekunle Gold is no stranger to reinventing his image. In the lead-up to FUJI, he’s further adapted visual identities and presentation to match the thematic weight of the project. His work frames music as not just sound, but also fashion, storytelling, and cultural continuity.

With FUJI, Adekunle situates himself alongside artists who are bridging African tradition and global soundscapes. The project may open doors for listeners overseas who are less familiar with Yoruba indigenous music but drawn in by strong songwriting, modern production, and authenticity.