Popular Nigerian singer and songwriter Adekunle Gold has opened up about his marital journey, revealing that genotype compatibility was his absolute top priority before marrying his wife, Simi. The artist, who lives with the sickle cell condition (SS genotype), emphasized that romantic feelings alone were not enough to influence his decision.
Genotype Over Romantic Feelings
Speaking in a recent episode of the One54 Podcast, the hitmaker explained that he could not justify bringing children into the world only for them to face chronic health challenges. He stressed that understanding a partner’s genetic makeup is a crucial step that should never be overlooked in modern relationships.
“I wouldn’t have married my wife if she were SS or AS,” Adekunle Gold shared candidly during the podcast. “Forget love. I don’t think it makes sense to bring a child into this world and they would be sickly.”
He further revealed that he took immediate action upon meeting Simi to verify her genetic status. “When me and my wife first met, the first thing I did was to know her genotype. She is AA. That was why I proceeded with the relationship,” he explained.
Advocating for Sickle Cell Awareness
Since publicly disclosing his SS genotype, Adekunle Gold has actively used his platform to advocate for sickle cell awareness, encouraging young couples to get tested and make informed decisions before starting families. Genetic compatibility between partners is vital in preventing the inheritance of sickle cell anemia, a painful and lifelong genetic blood disorder.
Adekunle Gold and Simi, who are both celebrated figures in the African music industry, married in January 2019. The couple has since welcomed two children, establishing a family built on both deep affection and responsible genetic planning.