Adekunle Gold The Life I Chose (2024)
Unbearable pain, crushing fatigue, bacterial infections. These are some of the symptoms of the so-called sickle cell disease. This blood disorder, which usually is inherited, is characterized by a modification of the shape of red blood cells. Instead of its donut-shape, the cells look like a half moon—or a sickle, the C-shaped farming tool. This less agile cell shape can impair blood flow and block up blood vessels. Sickle cell disease is predominantly found in sub-Saharan Africa; in fact, it is the most prevalent genetic malady on the African continent. And it is often lethal: According to the WHO, the majority of children born with the disease die at the age of five or younger. As with many illnesses, people with sickle cell disease are stigmatized. Despite this, Def Jam-signed afrobeats artist Adekunle Gold openly talks about living with the disease. According to the news portal TRT Africa, the Nigerian musician first addressed the topic in a newsletter to his followers in 2022: “I remember laying in bed in the middle of the night, asking for an end to it all. I begged God to take my life.” Finding a way to deal with the disease inspired Adekunle Gold to write his 2022 hit single “Five Star”. More recently the outspoken artist released “The Life I Chose”, where he talks about another aspect of his life: being a rapper.
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