Can Adekunle Gold bring Fuji music into the mainstream?

Across Afrobeats history, Fuji music has been a constant source of inspiration, with artists fusing its sound to shape unforgettable eras.

While these stars rose to superstardom, Fuji music was often left in the shadows its influence visible only to those with the cultural context to recognize it.

When Nigerian icon 9ice released his sophomore album Gongo Aso in 2008, it became a defining moment in Afrobeats history. Though his hits leaned heavily on Fuji and Hip Hop, Fuji itself never received the spotlight that should come with inspiring an era-defining star. The same can be said of Grammy-nominated sensation Asake, whose vibrant blend of Fuji, Hip Hop, and Afrobeats has shaped Nigerian music since 2022. Yet, even as his fame soared, Fuji remained in the background.

That’s why the announcement on September 9, 2025, struck differently. Award-winning star Adekunle Gold revealed that his sixth studio album, titled Fuji, will arrive on October 3rd.

While traces of Yoruba indigenous music run through his discography, nothing could have prepared listeners for an album explicitly named after the genre. Not even the Fuji-inspired textures of his recent singles, Coco Money and Bobo featuring Lojay and Shoday, signaled a full embrace of the sound.

By boldly naming his album Fuji, Adekunle Gold raises a crucial question: could this be the moment Fuji music finally claims its long-awaited place in the mainstream?

Will Adekunle Gold be the artist to bring Fuji to the mainstream stage?

At the peak of his powers, Adekunle Gold’s album is bound to command mainstream attention. If he chooses to boldly spotlight Fuji in all its richness, the genre could finally be introduced to a global audience.

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To properly platform Fuji music in the mainstream, he would have to take the sonic markers of the genre and interpret them with a personal and contemporary touch. The album must not only be Fuji in title but also in form.

Fuji also extends beyond music. It’s a culture that includes classic Yoruba fashion interpreted with contemporary luxury, opulent lifestyle, colourful live performances, and street carnivals. A Fuji album from an artist of Adekunle Gold’s stature can bring mainstream elements to the culture of Fuji music. 

Having embarked on what appears to be his most adventurous reinvention yet, we will have to wait and see if Adekunle Gold can deliver Fuji music its moment in the mainstream.