Nigerian Afrobeats singer Adekunle Gold has opened up about the emotional experience that inspired his 2019 hit song, “Simile,” revealing that the track was written during one of the darkest periods of his life.
The singer said he wrote the song shortly after losing his father, a period he described as one filled with sadness, uncertainty and emotional confusion.
Adekunle Gold explained that he felt lost following his father’s death and turned to music as a way of processing his emotions and finding something to hold on to.
“When I wrote ‘Simile’ in 2019, I had just lost my father, and I was lost in a way that is impossible to describe,” he said.
“I composed this song from that place, seeking for something to depend on when I didn’t know how to handle all of my emotions.”
‘I Couldn’t Have Anticipated This Moment’
The singer said performing “Simile” years later with an orchestra brought back memories of the person he was when he first wrote the song.
According to him, revisiting the song allowed him to reflect on how far he had come and the dreams he once considered distant.
“Performing that same song with an orchestra years later brought back memories of who I was when I created it.
“He could not have anticipated this moment. He could not have anticipated that seven years later, he would still be here, making music, dreaming, and living some of the dreams that seemed so far away.”
Adekunle Gold said the experience reminded him that difficult seasons do not last forever and that people going through challenging times should hold on to hope.
‘Your Darkest Moments Will Not Last Forever’
The singer described “Simile” as a reminder that people often cannot see how their circumstances will change while they are in the middle of a difficult period.
“Simile reminds me that while you are in the midst of the darkest phase of your life, you cannot see how it will change,” he said.
“So, whatever you’re going through, Simile will remind you that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.”
He concluded with a message of hope, saying, “Your darkest moments will not last forever.”
Released in 2019, “Simile” remains one of Adekunle Gold’s notable songs and has resonated with listeners for its themes of love, grief, hope and resilience.
The singer’s reflection on the song has given fans a deeper understanding of the personal experience behind the music and the emotional journey that shaped its creation.