The Nigerian music industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of fast-rising Afrobeats and street-pop singer, Afeez Adeshina, popularly known as Destiny Boy. He was just 22 years old.
News of his passing surfaced on Sunday, January 18, 2026, after a well-known journalist, Temilola Sobola, shared a brief but emotional update on social media announcing the singer’s death. The post quickly spread, sparking shock and sadness across the music community.
As of now, the exact cause of Destiny Boy’s death remains unknown. Neither his family nor his management has issued an official statement to clarify the circumstances surrounding his passing, leaving fans and colleagues grappling with unanswered questions.
Destiny Boy rose to fame at a very young age, carving out a space for himself with his unique blend of street-pop and Fuji-inspired sounds. He first caught national attention in 2019 after his Fuji-style cover of Davido’s hit song “If” went viral, earning him widespread recognition and admiration.
The viral moment opened doors for him, leading to more popular covers of songs by top Nigerian artistes such as Tekno, 2Baba, 9ice, and Small Doctor, and helping him build a loyal fan base.
Beyond music, Destiny Boy’s personal life also made headlines. In March 2024, reports emerged that he proposed to his partner with a diamond ring said to be worth millions of naira. Later that year, in November 2024, it was revealed that he had welcomed his first child at the age of 20.
Since the news of his death broke, fans, fellow artistes, and social media users have taken to various platforms to express their grief, share memories, and pay tribute to a young talent whose life and career were cut short too soon.
