Nigerian music star Adekunle Gold has revealed the deeply personal story behind one of the most emotional tracks of his career.

Ahead of the October 3 release of his sixth studio album, Fuji, the singer disclosed that a standout song on the project, “Simile,” which translates to “rest on me” in Yoruba was once pitched to Beyoncé’s team for her Lion King soundtrack.

Gold recounted that in 2019, just after losing his father, his manager encouraged him to return to the studio for what could have been a career-defining opportunity. But he was engulfed in grief.

“Grief has a way of numbing even your senses. I don’t remember if it was morning or night, sunny or rainy. My whole world had collapsed,” he recalled.

Despite the pain, he eventually picked up his microphone in his small Lagos studio and let his emotions flow. The result was “Simile,” a song so personal that he secretly hoped Beyoncé’s team would decline it.

“I knew it wasn’t just a song it was my plea for guidance. It belonged to me,” Gold said.

When the U.S. superstar’s team ultimately passed on the track, he felt relief rather than disappointment, grateful to keep something so intimate for himself.

Even before Fuji drops, fans online have praised Gold for sharing such a vulnerable chapter of his life.