Gabriel Afolayan: Biography, Age, Movies, Family & Career

Gabriel Afolayan is a singer and actor. He is the son of Adeyemi Afolayan, the late Nigerian entertainment icon. He is also known by his musical stage name G-Fresh.

In this post, we take a look at the life of Gabriel Afolayan from his acting career to his journey into music as well as his family.

Early life

Although his real age is unknown, it is speculated that Gabriel Afolayan was born in the early 80s. He is the son of the late Adeyemi Afolayan. His siblings include Kunle and Aremu Afolayan and they are also in the entertainment sector.

Education

The actor studied Theater Arts at the University of Ibadan.

Family

As stated earlier, Gabriel is the son of the late Adeyemi Afolayan, an entertainment icon in Nigeria popularly called Ade Love.

Gabriel Afolayan’s older brother, Kunle is a director. There is also Aremu who is an actor. Gabriel also revealed that he has a brother, Anu that is a cinematographer and according to him, he’s one of the best in Nigeria. Interestingly, most people don’t even know him.

There is also Toyin Afolayan popularly called Lola Idijie, she is an actress and she is Gabriel’s aunt. According to Toyin, it was Gabriel Afolayan’s father; Ade Love that introduced her to acting.

Career

Gabriel Afolayan debuted as an actor in the movie F Opawon by Baba Sala. He has also featured in several movies produced by his brother, Kunle Afolayan although he revealed in an interview that it was not a criterion that he must always feature in movies produced by his brother.

The actor is also involved in music. His music career started in 1997, while he was part of a group in Ibadan. The actor also revealed that he has always been part of the choir. Some of his musical influences include 2face, Banky W., Aṣa and Bez and he describes his musical genre as “Love Ballad”. He is known for his hit singles, “Awelewa” and “Kokoro Ife”.

Award

The actor won the Best Supporting Actor award for playing “Tavier Jambari” in Hoodrush (2012). He was also nominated for the Nollywood Movies Awards for the award Best Actor in a Supporting Role and the Best Actor in a Leading Role  in the movie First Cause

Movies

Some of the movies he has featured in include:

  • 7 Inch Curve
  • Closet (TV Series)
  • Heroes and Zeros
  • Hoodrush
  • King Invincible
  • Sade
  • Ija Okan
  • Madam Dearest
  • Ojuju
  • Okafor’s Law
  • Truncated
  • Itusile
  • Something Wicked

Sade

Gabriel Afolayan played the role of a dog, known as Big Joe in the movie, Sade and he revealed in an interview that it was quite an interesting experience.

The movie, “Sade” is the first Nigerian animated movie to feature an all Nigerian cast with a musical inclusion.

Other celebrities on the cast include Jimi Solanke, Nobert Young, Bimbo Manuel, Ngozi Nwosu, Biodun Aleja, Jude Orhorha, Yemi Shodimu, Judith Audu, Kate Adepegba and Deji Adenuga.

In the movie, Big Joe is that kind of character that has affiliations with the street. According to Gabriel, Big Joe has been on the street for a while and has seen it all. Also, he’s the type of dog that has journeyed from Mushin to Lekki, so it’s a big character in a small body.

The actor further disclosed that the difference between animation and regular movie was going through the vocal exercise and according to him; it was one of those things he loved most because it felt like he had done it before. Also, it was his first time doing a full length major animated movie.

King Invincible

Gabriel played the role of Prince Adetiba in “King Invincible.” The movie was released in the cinema in 2017 and was directed by Femi Adisa in his directorial debut.

The movie is an epic that tells a sprawling tale of love and war. According to the plot, a handsome warlord, Taari (Tope Tedela) is fast transitioning into a wolf due to the curse of the dogs that was placed on him. He must immediately find the cure to this curse or be forever damned. The plot thickens when he discovers that the prince of the village, Adetiba will stop at nothing to prevent him from getting the cure he desperately needs.

Truncated

Gabriel Afolayan recently featured in the movie, ‘Truncated’ alongside Bolanle Ninalowo. The movie tells the story of a bright athlete whose career was ruined by drug abuse, is currently being shot in different parts of Lagos and Ogun state.

The actor plays the role of Chike, a talented and rising athlete and who is in love with Toyin Abraham but had his career ruined when he started abusing drugs.

The movie features several stars, some of which include Toyin Alausa, Afeez Eniola, Ayo Adesanya, Adekemi Taofeek, Oluyomi Adekanbi and Hadiza Abubakar.

Wedding

The actor got married to Adebanke Lawal in 2018. The couple did a traditional wedding on April 5, 2018. The wedding ceremony took place in Ibadan where friends and family, as well as colleagues in the entertainment industry, showed up for them on their big day.

His brother, Kunle Afolayan was in attendance as well as celebrities like Banky W and his wife, Adesua Etomi. Also his best friend, Captain Tunde Demuren was around. Other celebrities in attendance include Mo’Cheddah, Adeniyi Johnson, Tope Tedela and Wole Ojo.

Rumours

There have been rumours that things were not rosy between Gabriel and his actor brother, Aremu, which was why he did not attend Aremu’s wedding but the actor has dispelled such claims. He revealed that he was not in town when the wedding took place that was why he couldn’t attend.

Airtel Advert

Gabriel Afolayan is a brand ambassador for Airtel and he once revealed in an interview that one of the Airtel commercials where he featured was his most memorable role.

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