{{short description|Nigerian actor and singer (born 1985)}} {{Use Nigerian English|date=August 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Gabriel Afolayan | image = Gabriel Afolayan 2013.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Afolayan at the audition for ''Ojuju'' in 2013 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|03|01|df=y}} | birth_place = | other_names = | citizenship = Nigerian | alma_mater = University of Ibadan | occupation = Actor, singer <ref>{{cite web|url=http://dailyindependentnig.com/2012/07/hoodrush-tapped-into-my-singing-acting-talent-afolayan/ |title=Hoodrush tapped into my singing, acting talent – Afolayan |publisher=dailyindependentnig.com |accessdate=23 September 2014 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627003437/http://dailyindependentnig.com/2012/07/hoodrush-tapped-into-my-singing-acting-talent-afolayan/ |archivedate=27 June 2015 }}</ref> | parents = Adeyemi Afolayan (father) | relatives = Moji Afolayan (sister)<br>Kunle Afolayan (brother)<br>Aremu Afolayan (brother) | years_active = 1997 - present <ref name="tribune">{{cite web |url=http://tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/component/k2/item/9061-why-i-made-a-u-turn-into-the-music-industry-afolayan |title=Why I made a u-turn into the music industry —Afolayan |publisher=Nigerian Tribune. tribune.com.ng |accessdate=23 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510222030/http://www.tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/component/k2/item/9061-why-i-made-a-u-turn-into-the-music-industry-afolayan |archivedate=10 May 2013 }}</ref> | awards = Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor | website = }} '''Gabriel Afolayan''', {{Audio|Yo-Gabriel Afolayan.ogg|Listen|help=no}} (born 1 March 1985)<ref name="Tersoo 2018">{{Cite news |last=Tersoo |first=Andrella |date=2 August 2018 |title=Impressive facts from biography of Gabriel Afolayan |url=https://www.legit.ng/1183869-gabriel-afolayan-biography-movies.html |access-date=9 December 2019 |newspaper=Legit.ng|archive-date=9 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209141823/https://www.legit.ng/1183869-gabriel-afolayan-biography-movies.html |url-status=live }}</ref> also known by his musical stage name '''G-Fresh''',<ref name="tribune"/> is a Nigerian actor and singer.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 December 2018 |title=Multi-talented artiste G-Fresh releases new album, " Instinct'' |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/12/multi-talented-artiste-g-fresh-releases-new-album-instinct/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=8 March 2022 |newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Education == He studied theatre arts at the University of Ibadan in Oyo state, southwestern region of Nigeria.<ref name="tribune" />
== Career == He is part of the renowned Afolayan entertainment family that comprises Ade Love, Moji Afolayan, Kunle Afolayan and Aremu Afolayan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dailyindependentnig.com/2012/08/i-didnt-attack-the-media-in-heroes-and-zeros-gabriel-afolayan/ |title=I didn't attack the media in Heroes and Zeros – Gabriel Afolayan |publisher=The Daily Independent (Lagos). dailyindependentnig.com |accessdate=23 September 2014 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026064454/http://dailyindependentnig.com/2012/08/i-didnt-attack-the-media-in-heroes-and-zeros-gabriel-afolayan/ |archivedate=26 October 2014 }}</ref><ref name="van">{{Cite news | url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/07/gabriel-afolayan-turns-musician-drops-single/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria| title=Gabriel Afolayan turns musician, drops single . vanguardngr.com | accessdate=23 September 2014 | archive-date=26 October 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026070200/http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/07/gabriel-afolayan-turns-musician-drops-single/ | url-status=live |newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref> As an actor, he won the Best Supporting Actor award for playing "Tavier Jambari" in ''Hoodrush'' (2012). As a musician, he is known mostly for "Awelewa" and "Kokoro Ife". In an interview with ''The Punch'', he described his musical genre as "Love ballad".<ref name="punch">{{Cite news|url=http://www.punchng.com/spice/culture/i-didnt-steal-anybodys-song-gabriel-afolayan/ |title=I didn't steal anybody's song — Gabriel Afolayan |accessdate=23 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026065756/http://www.punchng.com/spice/culture/i-didnt-steal-anybodys-song-gabriel-afolayan/ |archivedate=26 October 2014 |newspaper=The Punch}}</ref> Afolayan's acting debut was in ''F Opawon'' by Baba Sala. In an interview with ''Nigerian Tribune'', he stated that his music career started in 1997, while he was part of a group in Ibadan. He also stated that he has always been part of the choir.<ref name="haba">{{cite web | url=http://www.harbiodinho.com/2013/08/i-will-like-to-work-with-chris-brown-internationally-interview-with-gabriel-afolayan/ | title=I Will Like To Work With Chris Brown internationally…" Interview With Gabriel Afolayan | accessdate=23 September 2014 | archive-date=2 November 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102030249/http://www.harbiodinho.com/2013/08/i-will-like-to-work-with-chris-brown-internationally-interview-with-gabriel-afolayan/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> He has cited 2face, Banky W., Aṣa and Bez as influences.<ref name="tribune"/>
He rose to fame, playing the role “Akin” in a Super Story Series titled NNENNA.
==Personal life== Afolayan is the son of the Nigerian entertainment icon Adeyemi Afolayan popularly known as "Ade love".<ref name="modern ghana">{{cite web | url=http://www.modernghana.com/movie/6123/3/ade-loves-name-opens-doors-for-me-gabriel-afolayan.html | title=Ade Love's name opens doors for me – Gabriel Afolayan | publisher=modernghana.com | accessdate=23 September 2014 | archive-date=4 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064737/http://www.modernghana.com/movie/6123/3/ade-loves-name-opens-doors-for-me-gabriel-afolayan.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
==Filmography==
=== Films === *Madam Dearest (2005) *7 Inch Curve (2015) *Tomi's Got A Gun (2014) *Ija Okan (2006) *Hoodrush (2012) as Travier Jabari *Heroes and Zeros (2012) as Dibu Ijele *Ojuju (2014) as Romero *Okafor's Law (2016) as Fox *Tatu (2017) as Wally *King Invincible (2017) as Prince Adetiba *Coming from Insanity (2018) as Kossi *Kasala (2018) as Fathia *Code Wilo (2019) as Role *Gold Statue (2019) as Wale *Citation (film) (2020) as Koyejo *For Maria Ebun Pataki (2020) as Afolabi *Gone (2021) as Ayochukwu *Hustle (2021) as Baba Gee *Besties (2021) as Lenny *Lugard (2021) as Little *Mamba's Diamond (2021) as Elenu *U-Turn (2022) as Chukwu *Ijogbon (2023) as Brother Kasali *A Lot Like Love (2023) as Mustapha *Kannani (2023) as Gbovo *This Is Lagos (2023) as Stevo *Lisabi: The Uprising (2024) as Odunbamitefa *Ambivalent (2024) as Role *Landline (2025) as Kola<ref>{{Cite web |title=Landline |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36690031/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 March 2026 |website=IMDb}}</ref>
=== Television ===
* Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre (2024) as Akin * Seven Doors (2024) as Opayemi * Blood Sisters (2022) as Femi Ademola * Flawsome (2022) * Taste of Love (2014-2015) as Duncan Rhodes * Nnenna: A super story series (2003) as Akin
===Discography=== *"Kokoro Ife"<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/94994/3/gabriel-afolayan-releases-kokoro-ife-love-bug-musi.html | title=Gabriel Afolayan Releases Kokoro Ife (Love Bug) Music Video | publisher=thenigerianvoice.com | accessdate=23 September 2014 | archive-date=4 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304190711/http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/94994/3/gabriel-afolayan-releases-kokoro-ife-love-bug-musi.html | url-status=live }}</ref> *"Plug it" *"Kpasi Kona" *"Awelewa" *"Kokoro Ife"
==Awards== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |- ! Year !Award !Category !Film !Result !Ref |- |rowspan="3"|2013 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actor | rowspan="2"|''Hoodrush'' | {{won}} | |- |rowspan="2"|Nollywood Movies Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | {{nominated}} | |- | Best Actor in a Leading Role | ''First Cause'' | {{nominated}} | |- | rowspan="4" |2017 | rowspan="4" |Best of Nollywood Awards |Best Actor in a Lead Role – English |'' Tatu'' |{{nom}} | rowspan="4" |<ref>{{Cite news|date=23 November 2017|title=BON Awards 2017: Kannywood's Ali Nuhu receives Special Recognition Award|url=https://dailytrust.com/bon-awards-2017-kannywood-s-ali-nuhu-receives-special-recognition-award|access-date=7 October 2021|newspaper=Daily Trust|language=en|archive-date=7 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007214920/https://dailytrust.com/bon-awards-2017-kannywood-s-ali-nuhu-receives-special-recognition-award|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |Best Actor in a Lead role –Yoruba |'' False Flag'' |{{nom}} |- |Best Supporting Actor –Yoruba | rowspan="2" |'' Ailatunse'' |{{won}} |- |Best Kiss in a Movie |{{won}} |- | rowspan="5" |2019 |Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards |Actor of the Year nominee |'' Coming From Insanity'' |{{nominated}} |<ref>{{Cite news|date=7 February 2020|title=2020 AMVCA: Check out the full nominees' list|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/2020-amvca-check-out-the-full-nominees-list/c3m2esq|access-date=10 October 2020|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130034837/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/2020-amvca-check-out-the-full-nominees-list/c3m2esq|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |Intellects Awards |Best Actor (Male) | |{{nominated}} |<ref>{{Cite web|last=Burnaron|title=Full list of Nominee for The Intellects Awards 2019 TIAWARDS2019|url=https://www.netreporters.ng/2019/07/full-list-of-nominee-for-intellects.html|access-date=10 October 2020|website=NetReporters Ng|archive-date=13 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413082012/https://www.netreporters.ng/2019/07/full-list-of-nominee-for-intellects.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) |Best actor in a leading role | rowspan="3" |'' Gold Statue'' |{{ Nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web|title=AMAA 2019 Nominees Announcement|url=https://ama-awards.com/amaa-2019-nominees|access-date=10 October 2020|website=ama-awards.com|archive-date=2 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102231745/https://ama-awards.com/amaa-2019-nominees|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |Best of Nollywood Awards |Best Actor in a Lead Role – English |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bada|first=Gbenga|date=15 December 2019|title=BON Awards 2019: 'Gold Statue', Gabriel Afolayan win big at 11th edition|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/bon-awards-2019-gold-statue-gabriel-afolayan-win-big-at-11th-edition/4d0w2n4|access-date=10 October 2021|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|language=en|archive-date=15 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215060914/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/bon-awards-2019-gold-statue-gabriel-afolayan-win-big-at-11th-edition/4d0w2n4|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |International Film Festival (AIFF) |Outstanding Actor at the Abuja |{{Won}} |<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 October 2019|title=Winners Of 2019 Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF)|url=https://www.positivenaija.com/winners-of-2019-abuja-international-film-festival-aiff/|access-date=10 October 2020|website=PositiveNaija|language=en-US|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808231420/https://www.positivenaija.com/winners-of-2019-abuja-international-film-festival-aiff/|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |2020 |Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards |Best Actor in a Drama (Movie or TV Series) |'' Coming From Insanity'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web|last=Augoye|first=Jayne|date=18 March 2020|title=Nigeria: AMVCA 2020 Highlights - Best Moments of the Night|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202003180216.html|access-date=22 July 2021|website=allAfrica.com|language=en}}</ref> |- |2022 |Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards |Best Actor in A Drama |'' For Maria Ebun Pataki'' |{{Nominated}} |<ref>{{Cite news |title=AMVCA: 2022 Africa Magic Awards Nominees don land- See who dey list |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-60818021 |access-date=2025-05-15 |work=BBC News Pidgin}}</ref> |- |2025 |Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards |Best Supporting Actor |Inside Life |{{Won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Television |first=Channels |date=2025-05-10 |title=AMVCA 2025 Awards: Full List Of Winners As Lateef Adedimeji's Lisabi Clinches Prizes |url=https://www.channelstv.com/2025/05/10/amvca-2025-awards-full-list-of-winners-as-lateef-adedimejis-lisabi-clinches-prizes/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Channels Television |language=en}}</ref> |}
==See also== *List of Yoruba people
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|3149791|Gabriel Afolayan}} {{Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Afolayan, Gabriel}} Category:Nigerian male singer-songwriters Category:21st-century Nigerian singer-songwriters Category:Nigerian male stage actors Category:Nigerian male film actors Category:University of Ibadan alumni Category:Male actors from Ibadan Category:Best Supporting Actor Africa Movie Academy Award winners Category:Yoruba male actors Category:21st-century Nigerian male actors Category:Yoruba musicians Category:Male actors in Yoruba cinema Category:Yoruba-language Nigerian singers Category:Living people Gabriel Category:1985 births Category:Nigerian male television actors Category:Nigerian songwriters