Nigerian musician Adekunle Kosoko, famously known as Adekunle Gold, has openly shared his ongoing struggles with sickle cell crises, using his platform to intensify a campaign aimed at raising awareness and garnering support for individuals living with the condition. In an interview with Nandoleaks, an international real-talk podcast, Adekunle Gold detailed his personal journey and the challenges he continues to face.

The "Orente" crooner disclosed that he still experiences sickle cell crises intermittently, though they are not as severe as those he endured during childhood. He attributes this improvement to his ability to properly care for himself, expressing gratitude for the resources that enable him to do so. A significant aspect of his reality, which he laments, is the lifelong medication regimen that the condition necessitates.

Beyond his personal testimony, the 38-year-old artist has become a vocal advocate for public awareness regarding sickle cell disease. He stresses the critical importance of genetic testing before childbearing, particularly in regions like Nigeria where the condition is more prevalent. Adekunle Gold explained that sickle cell disease arises when two individuals with the sickle cell trait (SS) have children, leading to the birth of children with the full-blown condition. He passionately argues that greater awareness and action are needed from essential organizations to prevent new cases.

Recounting his first conscious encounter with the condition, Adekunle Gold described the profound impact it had on him. He vividly recalled a night in his early childhood, around ages five to seven, when he fell severely ill with agonizing pain in his joints, legs, and sometimes his stomach, leading his mother to carry him for miles to a hospital. It was during this hospital visit that doctors informed him of his diagnosis and the lifelong commitment to medication, specifically folic acid and B complex, that would become a part of his daily life—a regimen he continues to follow to this day.

Since gaining prominence, Adekunle Gold has consistently used his voice to champion sickle cell awareness and provide support to patients. In June 2025, he launched the '5 Star Care' initiative through his Adekunle Gold Foundation. This groundbreaking program aims to provide free health insurance to 1,000 individuals living with sickle cell disease, a cause close to his heart, which he also documented in his hit song '5 Star,' released in July 2022. The initiative is comprehensive, covering routine care, emergency treatments, and essential long-term support for beneficiaries.

The '5 Star Care' initiative operates in strategic partnership with key health organizations, including the Lagos State Health Scheme Management (LASHMA), Sickle Cell Management Initiatives (SCMI), and the Lagos State Ministry of Health, ensuring a robust and impactful implementation. Furthermore, on World Sickle Cell Day, observed on June 19, 2025, Adekunle Gold, through his foundation and in collaboration with the Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative, organized a significant medical outreach event in Lagos State, further solidifying his commitment to the cause.