Reasons Men Don’t Laugh By Adekunle Gold

In a candid and heartwarming moment, Adekunle Gold, the renowned Afrobeat artist, recently found himself called out by none other than his 4-year-old daughter, Deja, for being “too serious.” The surprising exchange has sparked conversations about the pressures of traditional male roles and the importance of taking time to enjoy life’s small victories.

This heavy responsibility often brings chronic stress, potentially leading to a depletion of dopamine levels, leaving men feeling unmotivated or emotionally detached. In fact, research and observations suggest that women generally laugh more and find humor in situations faster than men, contributing to a noticeable difference in behavior. In many African households, such as that of Adekunle Gold, the weight of societal expectations can lead men to adopt stoic, serious personas.

Initially, the 38-year-old singer defended himself, replying, “No, I’m not,” but Deja, undeterred, insisted with a giggle, “Yes, you are.” In that simple but profound moment, Adekunle Gold found himself reflecting on the true nature of his own seriousness.

“Her words got me thinking,” Adekunle shared on social media. “How does my 4-year-old know to say this? It felt like my daughter was telling me to live a little.” The realization hit him hard. “Many people have thrown my seriousness in my face over the years, and I’ve never taken it seriously, but to hear my daughter echo the same sentiment unprovoked made me wonder.”

 “My dad was a very strict man. He rarely laughed with us, and when he did, it felt like it was a better day than usual. I wonder if it’s genetic,” he reflected, pointing to his father’s stern nature as a possible reason for his own serious demeanor.

Despite his serious upbringing, Adekunle’s journey toward stardom was anything but ordinary. After earning a degree in Art and Industrial Designs from Laspotech, he dabbled in photography, graphic design, and even started a branding company. But it was music that truly captured his heart. In 2014, he took the bold step into the music industry, releasing the hit song “Sade,” which earned critical acclaim and led to a groundbreaking partnership with Olamide’s YBNL record label. His debut album, Gold, catapulted him to fame, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Despite his success, Adekunle Gold has always been driven by a relentless need to achieve more. “For every win I had, I was chasing 10 more. I didn’t know how to enjoy my wins,” he confessed. “I didn’t know how to stop. Sometimes, to breathe, to be in the moment, you have to pause and take a look at your wins.”

The birth of his daughter, Deja, and the realization that she was calling him out for his serious nature, has made Adekunle reflect on his own life and the toll that constant ambition has taken on his well-being. “But of all the people who have called me out for being too serious, Deja’s voice has been the loudest.”

In an emotional pledge to himself, Adekunle vowed to slow down, enjoy the present, and allow himself to embrace joy more often. “I’ve made a pact with myself to relax, to live more in the moment, and to let my hair down—literally and figuratively,” he shared with his fans.