The Unseen Battle: Adekunle Gold Reveals He Still Suffers from Painful Sickle Cell Crisis

Nigerian Afropop sensation Adekunle Gold has shared a deeply personal truth about his ongoing health battle, revealing that he continues to experience painful sickle cell crises despite his success. In a heartfelt interview circulated across social media, the 38-year-old musician reflected on his lifelong journey with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), offering insight into the pain, resilience, and determination behind his public persona.

Adekunle Gold, known affectionately as AG Baby, explained that fame and fortune have not erased his struggle. “I still have crises,” he admitted, describing the condition’s physical toll. “When we talk about crisis, it’s pain in your joints, my legs, and sometimes stomach. It’s really crazy.” His openness provides a rare and raw glimpse into the reality of living with SCD a chronic genetic disorder that affects millions globally, particularly in Nigeria.

The singer recounted his early experiences with the disease, revealing that he first learned about his condition between the ages of five and seven. He vividly remembered a night when his mother had to carry him to the hospital on her back while his father was away. It was during this episode that he was told he would need to take lifelong medication, including Folic Acid and Vitamin B Complex, to manage the condition.

Through his story, Adekunle Gold underscored the urgent importance of genotype awareness and pre-marital testing. He explained how the condition arises when both parents carry the sickle cell gene, noting that public education remains crucial to reducing future cases. “It happens when an SS matches an SS,” he said. “That’s why knowing your genotype is very important, because you should not bring many more kids that have sickle cell.”

In a particularly emotional admission, he shared, “Unfortunately for me, my parents are sickle cell and they brought me to the world.” This revelation, he said, motivates him to speak out more strongly about SCD and push for better advocacy and institutional awareness.

While Adekunle Gold still experiences crises, he expressed gratitude for his improved ability to manage his health. “I still have crises once in a while but not as bad as I had it when I was a child… because I have found a way to take care of myself more properly. And I’m grateful to God for the resources to be able to do that.”

His resilience in balancing his demanding music career with ongoing health challenges has made him a symbol of strength and hope for millions living with the same condition. The Adekunle Gold Sickle Cell Crisis Battle is not just a story of personal endurance but also a powerful reminder of the need for continuous awareness, compassion, and medical advancement for people living with SCD.

As his story inspires a new wave of conversations around genotype testing and chronic illness awareness, one key question remains: how can the Nigerian entertainment industry better support Adekunle Gold and other artists who use their platforms to champion critical health causes like Sickle Cell Disease?