Adekunle Gold Hints At Long Awaited Collaboration With Olamide Years After YBNL Exit

by HEDNEWS on April 7, 2026

Adekunle Gold Hints at Long-Awaited Collaboration With Olamide Years After YBNL Exit Nigerian Afropop star Adekunle Gold has sparked excitement among fans after hinting at a long-anticipated musical collaboration with his former label boss, Olamide, years after leaving YBNL Nation. The singer, born Adekunle Kosoko, revealed the development through a social media teaser, signalling what would mark their first official joint release despite their long professional history together. Adekunle Gold rose to prominence after being signed to Olamide’s YBNL record label in 2015, where he released breakthrough hits that established him as one of Nigeria’s leading alternative pop voices. Although Olamide played a pivotal mentorship role during the early stage of his career, the two artistes never released a collaborative single while Gold remained under the label making the proposed project highly symbolic for fans and industry observes In a brief announcement that quickly went viral online, Adekunle Gold confirmed that the collaboration is titled “Formation,” describing it as the first time both artistes would officially share a track together. The announcement triggered widespread reactions across social media, with fans celebrating the reunion between mentor and protégé whose musical journeys helped shape contemporary Nigerian pop culture.

Since exiting YBNL after the expiration of his contract, Adekunle Gold has evolved musically, transitioning from Afro-soul and highlife influences to a broader Afropop sound that has earned him international recognition. Meanwhile, Olamide remains one of Nigeria’s most influential music executives, credited with launching the careers of several leading artistes and expanding indigenous rap into mainstream African music. Music analysts say the collaboration represents more than nostalgia, describing it as a generational moment reconnecting two key figures whose partnership helped define the mid-2010s Nigerian music wave. The reunion also highlights the enduring bonds within Nigeria’s music industry, where former label relationships often evolve into creative partnerships years later. With anticipation building, fans are eagerly awaiting the official release of Formation, expected to drop soon, as listeners hope the collaboration will blend Adekunle Gold’s refined melodic style with Olamide’s street-inspired rap energy. The upcoming track is already generating strong buzz and is widely tipped to become one of the most talked-about Nigerian music releases of the year.