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Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold has opened up about the importance of genotype compatibility in his decision to marry fellow music star, Simi, saying the test was one of the first things they considered when they met.
The singer made this known while speaking on the One 54 podcast, where he discussed sickle cell disease and the need for people to understand the role of genotype compatibility when choosing a life partner.
Adekunle Gold explained that he and Simi underwent genotype testing to determine whether they were medically compatible before taking their relationship towards marriage.
According to him, Simi is of the AA genotype, while he stressed that he would not have proceeded with the marriage if she had the SS genotype.
The singer used his own relationship as an example while encouraging people, particularly those planning to settle down and have children, to know their genotype and that of their prospective partners.
“There is so much awareness to be done. People need to understand that if you have sickle cell, forget about love; you can’t be with someone with sickle cell too,” he said.
Gold argued that couples should take genotype compatibility seriously because of the possible implications for children born to parents carrying sickle cell traits.
“It makes no sense to bring a child into the world who will be sickly,” he added.
Reflecting on his marriage to Simi, the singer said their genotype status was established early in their relationship.
“There’s no way I would have married my wife Simi if she was sickle cell. The first thing we did when we met was a genotype test to know if we matched. If we didn’t, I wouldn’t have married her. She is AA,” he said.
Adekunle Gold’s comments were also shaped by his personal experience with sickle cell disease. The singer has previously spoken publicly about living with the condition and has used his platform to increase awareness about sickle cell and the experiences of people affected by it.
In 2022, he opened up about his experience with sickle cell disease and further addressed the subject through his song, 5 Star.
The song provided another avenue for the singer to speak about the realities associated with living with the condition while connecting his personal experiences with his music.
Since then, Gold has continued to advocate for people living with sickle cell disease and has called for greater understanding and support for those affected.
In July 2024, the singer explained that his advocacy was motivated by his desire to make people living with the condition “feel safe and supported”.
His campaign has also gone beyond public conversations and music.
In 2025, Gold introduced a free health insurance programme aimed at supporting 1,000 people living with sickle cell disease.
The initiative reflected his continued efforts to provide practical assistance to people living with the condition, alongside his calls for increased awareness.
His latest comments have once again placed attention on the importance of genotype testing, particularly before marriage and family planning.
While genotype compatibility is only one of the considerations couples may have when making decisions about marriage, Gold’s experience with Simi highlights why some couples choose to establish their compatibility before taking the next step in their relationship.
For the singer, knowing their genotype status was important enough to be addressed at the beginning of his relationship with Simi.
Adekunle Gold and Simi have since built a family together while maintaining successful careers in the Nigerian music industry. His decision to speak openly about their genotype test also adds to his wider advocacy for awareness surrounding sickle cell disease.
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#Simi
#SickleCellAwareness
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