Adekunle Gold’s FUJI Album: Will it come with a twist away from the conventional Fuji Music Genre?

On October 3, 2025, Nigerian singer and songwriter Adekunle Gold is set to release his sixth studio album titled FUJI, a bold move signaling a deeper embrace of Nigeria’s indigenous Fuji sound. Featuring heavyweight collaborators like Davido, Pharrell Williams, Swae Lee, K1 De Ultimate, Lojay, and more, this project looks to blend traditional Fuji elements with global, modern influences.

Fuji is a genre of popular Yoruba music born in Southwest Nigeria in the 1960s–70s. It traditionally features powerful vocals, percussion (talking drums, sakara, gangan, omele), and highly rhythmic, call-and-response patterns. It is a genre tied to community gatherings, traditional festivals, and heritage.

Big Fish (Adekunle Gold) started with blends of alternative pop, highlife, Afro-soul, and Afrobeats. Albums like Gold and Catch Me If You Can show his penchant for melodic songwriting, lyricism, and experimentation. His lead‐ups to FUJI, including “Coco Money” and “Bobo” (which feature contemporaries like Lojay and Shoday), had hinted at Fuji influences creeping into his sound; although not yet a full immersion.

Naming the album FUJI is itself a declaration of intent. It implies not just influence but a central positioning of Fuji music in the project. The inclusion of both indigenous Fuji legend K1 De Ultimate and international stars suggests a bridging of worlds.

Adekunle Gold’s FUJI seems promising and ambitious, but ambition alone isn’t enough. Success will depend on how well the album captures the spirit of Fuji; its rhythms and its cultural weight, while also engaging modern production and global listeners.