Adekunle Gold to Stage Epic Homecoming Show with 55-Piece Orchestra

Adekunle Gold has announced a landmark show set to take place at the National Theatre in Lagos on December 26th. The Afrobeats star revealed this on his official page on X on Sunday, December 14, promising fans an experience unlike any other: a live journey through his six-album discography, backed by a 55-piece MUSON Orchestra and his band, The 79th Element.

“Experience FUJI and all 6 albums that shaped my journey”, is a powerful statement for an artist who has spent the last decade evolving his sound and global persona. 

It’s a full-circle moment for a musician who grew up steeped in the indigenous sounds of Lagos, bringing a high-concept, orchestral performance to a historic Nigerian venue.

Released on October 3, 2025, the album Fuji stands as Adekunle Gold's sixth studio project and a deliberate return to his roots. The album title is an acronym for "Finding Uncharted Journeys Inside," a creative concept that captures the artist's story, heritage, and legacy.

The album has received a mixed but generally strong critical reception. 

Critics lauded the project for its "audacity" and "cultural masterclass" in fusing traditional Yoruba rhythms with modern pop sensibilities. It was commercially successful, climbing to number one on Apple Music's Top Albums chart in Nigeria and charting in over 50 countries, including the UK, Ireland, and Canada.

Adekunle Gold has never been afraid to reinvent himself. The transition from the highlife-infused "Sade" era on his debut album Gold to the global sound of Afropop Vol. 1 and Tequila Ever After, has been a defining characteristic of his career.

Following Fuji's release, he reflected deeply on his journey. He describes the album as his most honest work since his early projects, pouring everything from the grief of losing his father to the joy of his daughter's birth into the music.

He has consistently resisted pigeonholing his sound, a trait he shares with Fuji originators, who have also adapted their style. The core message is growth and self-belief.

AG Baby said Fuji is the culmination of all his efforts. “It’s the story of a man that’s found himself, that’s realized who he is all along, who he is meant to be. Fuji is the totality of every project I’ve done,” the hitmaker told Nandoleaks in a tell-all interview.

“After putting the acronym together I said you know what, let me just call this album FUJI. It’s the sound I’m making anyway, it’s the soundtrack of my childhood, the soundtrack of my life, soundtrack of Lagos where I’m from,” he explained.

The upcoming National Theatre show promises to be a spectacular culmination of this journey. The venue itself is a nod to heritage and grand Nigerian artistry.

Fans can expect a dramatic retelling of his entire decade-long discography. The involvement of the renowned MUSON Orchestra suggests a sophisticated, classical reimagining of his hits, from ‘Orente’ to ‘Coco Money’. This high-level production is poised to blend the raw, percussive energy of Afrobeats and Fuji with the majesty of orchestral music. 

The synergy between The 79th Element band and the orchestra will likely create an immersive and truly unique live music experience, cementing his legacy as a global figure rooted in his culture.