#FreshAndAlternative Byno shines as Gold hits happy ears

A very happy Matthew hung out at the "Gold" listening party. Here is his report.

"On a night with every member of the YBNL family present, as well as OAPs, pressmen and many other artistes including Bez, Tjan, Falana, Falz, Phyno, Pepenazi, Yung L and Uzikwendo, Adekunle Gold treated us to a newsworthy listening party.

Matthew with Douglas and VJ Adams

Matthew and Falana

Some might have been dismissive when they first heard a cover of One Direction's 'Story Of My Life' by a certain new-ish name back in 2014. Little did they know that was the beginning of a fresh sound of alternative music in Nigeria. 

 Adekunle Gold has successfully concluded the maiden Chapter of what has now become a new sound that has brought together and even unveiled many of his kind. The photoshop expert, who only dated girls he never met (words of the host on the night, Dotun) has now become the voice of true endearment.

The YBNL soldier treated his audience to an unplugged feel of GOLD and a night of unforgettable performances.

Despite starting over 2 hours behind schedule, largely due to the fact that many attendees were unable to surf through traffic, the event kicked off on a very refreshing note.

Label hypeman and OAP, Dotun, greeted Adekunle Gold’s parents and introduced indie artiste, Ric Hassani to start the night with, "Gentleman".

Ric's amazing performance was not the only thing noticed, but the fact that the live band captured every single detail of the song. In the midst of that applause, Byno appeared before the audience and just as everyone thought his rendition would be just a cover of Adele’s 'Hello', he instead delivered a medley, switching from that to Drake’s 'One Dance' and Kevin Little’s 'Turn me on' and then a native song. He then went on to Alicia Keys’ "In Common" and Kiss Daniel’s "Mama".

The mood Byno created was a dope blend of absolute awe and humour, leaving the audience at a crossroads as to whether to clap, cry or laugh. Just as everyone thought his session was over, Byno turned to the band for what he described as a 'Byno Party'.

  Aramide was next and her new songs "Funmilowo" and "Iwo Nikan" drove the audience crazy. 'The Voice' favourite Chike was next, and then after was Simi. 

  Adekunle Gold rounded up the night, supported by a fantastic Band, a standing audience and the brain behind the mixing of every song of GOLD, Simi. Pick Up wrapped up an extra-ordinary night and the audience were wonderful to delay hold on the night till around 11pm"

#FreshandAlternative Adekunle delivers Gold

When an artiste releases a single, then another, then another, and they all do pretty well on radio and at shows, you start to crave an album and look at the artiste when you seem them like, 'wyd?'

A little over a year after 'Sade', Adekunle Gold's debut album drops.

 The initial reaction on social media seemed positive, people picked early favourites like 'No Forget' and on my show today, I must have got a million requests for that one, as well as 'Friendzone' and 'My Life'.

I like the album.

It's a really good listen with sing along hooks and a folk vibe. The production is top notch with producers like Pheelz and Masterkraft, Guitars by Fiokee and Femi Leye and all tracks apart from 'Sade' mixed and mastered by another folk alternative artiste, Simi.

My favourite songs are the Sleekamo produced 'Temptation' (I have it on repeat), early favourite, 'Pick Up' (as birthday is coming soon I really need Baba God to answer my call o), and 'Ariwo Ko' which is the folk version of a rap diss. I love it!

The ode to highlife 'Sweet Me' is a miss with me, mainly because my ears didn't feel it was needed, at first listen.

Overall, I think it's a decent debut album, introducing the world to who Adekunle Gold is. The album art features some of his drawings / paintings, and creative writing my Gbemisola Ero-Phillips.

The album itself introduces us to a talented artiste who almost quit while making music the way he thought it should be done, till he went back to the folk basics and now he's happy making it the way he was born to.

Let's give it four areas out of five shall we?