“‘Sade’ is the story of my life” – Adekunle Gold Reflects on 10 Years of His Hit Song

Renowned Nigerian artist Adekunle Gold recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of his hit song, “Sade,” sharing the motivational journey that inspired its creation. The song, which is a cover of One Direction’s “Story of My Life,” holds a special place in Gold’s heart. In a reflective video posted on his YouTube channel, the artist discussed how the track came to be and the influences that shaped its heartfelt narrative. “I have always believed that artistes need to tell stories; say something that is sincere to you,” Gold explained. “‘Sade’ is the story of my life. I just make music about myself or based on stories I have been told. I think it’s the sincerity that has worked for me.”

The song, which first launched in 2013, marked a defining moment in Gold’s career, showcasing his unique ability to blend personal experiences with global musical influences. In the video, Gold revisited the memory of hearing One Direction’s “Story of My Life” for the first time. “I was driving my green baby boy (Honda Accord) that I really liked and listening to the radio,” he recalled. “The traffic in Lagos was already hectic when a song by One Direction—’Story of My Life’—came on. I thought it was beautiful and there was space for an instrumental, then I started to freestyle.”

Inspired by the melody and the emotions it evoked, Gold set out to make his own version. “I thought it was a great melody idea, so I recorded it,” he said. His connection to the song was more than just a passing moment—it sparked a deeper desire to create music that resonated with his personal experiences. “I wanted to create an EP that would tell stories about my life in a more sincere way,” Gold explained. This would eventually lead to the creation of “Sade,” a track that blends personal storytelling with a universal appeal.

Before “Sade,” Gold had already found success with songs like “Orente” and “Friend Zone,” but he wanted his next project to be even more personal. “Before ‘Sade,’ I had written songs such as ‘Orente’ and ‘Friend Zone’. Those were original tracks, so I kept them,” he shared. However, the turning point came when he decided to take the freestyle recording he made in May 2013 and turn it into a full-fledged song.

To bring his vision to life, Gold turned to his longtime friend and collaborator, Olaitan Dada. “I went online, found the beat, and called my friend, Olaitan Dada,” Gold explained. “We hit the studio, and that’s when we brought the song to life.” It was in the studio that the song began to take on its unique sound, thanks to the addition of cultural elements. “Olaitan added a talking drum to the bridge, wanting to include elements of our culture in the song,” Gold revealed, highlighting the fusion of modern and traditional sounds that would become a signature part of his music.