Nigeria

Lagos

Adekunle Gold 

Lagos has long been a global musical epicentre, with a history of pioneering genres that have had unsurmountable impact on global pop landscapes. From the 1960s Afrobeat legacy of Fela Kuti to today's ongoing Afrobeats golden age, the city has long flourished with jazz bars, open-air musical spaces and cultural centres that showcase the city's creative brilliance.  

 form part of a bustling modern-day music scene that includes acts like Burna Boy, Wizkid and Adekunle Gold. Gold is fresh from releasing his sixth studio album, 

, an album named after a musical genre that emerged from Yoruba communities in the 1960s, characterised by layered percussion and call-and-respond chants. 

Gold is fiercely proud of his roots, which his musical aspirations paying homage to the layered rich heritage and culture of Lagos. Below he shows us his favourite spots in his home city. 

Jazzhole is one of my favorite corners of Lagos. I can spend hours there, flipping through vinyls, sipping tea, surrounded by books and old sounds. It’s one of those rare places that still holds the soul of the city. You can find the best of the best Nigerian music classics in vinyls here. 

No matter where I travel, nothing beats the taste of home. Akanke Alamala is my spot for amala, gbegiri, and ewedu, hot and fresh. It reminds me of simpler times. They have 2 spots, I usually go to the one in Lekki and my favourite thing about this spot is that they also have traditional singers and drummers who go around to every table to perform for you. Apart from the food, the music here is A1. 

This place means a lot to me because it keeps our culture alive. Every visit feels like stepping into a living story, the language, the art, the drums, the spirit. It’s a space everyone needs to visit to learn about Yoruba history and culture when they visit Lagos. 

This is my family palace, my great great great ancestor King Kosoko was the King of Lagos in the 1800’s. The palace houses the Kosoko Memorial Museum and walking through it always feels powerful. It’s a reminder of my heritage, the resilience that I carry, and how much strength and legacy lives in my family history. This is my favourite place for inspiration and to gather my thoughts. 

After a long hard week, this is where I dance, unwind, and just have a great time with my guys. The music is always great, the crowd has style, and it’s just great vibes in Boho. Might be my favourite club in Lagos and my friend Fresh L runs the best nights there. 

J. Randle Center for Yoruba Culture (Lagos Island)

Related Guides