Fireboy DML’s music is about a lot of things, and matters of the heart is a big part.
We’ve scrambled 10 of them for this quiz. Can you unscramble all of them before the timer runs out? Let’s find out.
Tip: If you’re not sure what a song is, move to the next one. Alternatively, you can hit ‘Give up’ to reveal the answer.
Fireboy DML’s artistic evolution, assessed by his albums, began with being an ambitious, next-rated vocalist. Head in the sky, buzzing with goofy, complex, and cute love stories (“Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps”), he merges superstar confidence with a scientist’s frenzy (“APOLLO”). “Playboy”, his supposed trifecta, reassesses his views on matters of the heart and positions his new non-committal to them.
All of Fireboy’s projects display up-close portraits. “adedamola”, his fourth and latest album is his most intimate. He bares his skin on the cover art like “Come feel me.” Although the cover art is overwhelmingly draped in gold and a bleak background, suggesting glitz and a dark, twisted fantasy, or a villainous state, it has his first name as the album title, a usual indicator of personal stories. But rather than a storytelling of personal moments in his life, the tracks explore his sexual and romantic nature. The music on “adedamola” blends styles — afropop, amapiano, house and soul — to exemplify these pieces of him.
At the pitches of the stomping gangan (talking drum) and omele on soulful chords, Fireboy DML throws his hands in the wind, waving in gratitude to the supernatural yet cryptic way of God on iseoluwa (meaning “work of God”).
“Life has been good to me, I do not take this with levity,” he shares. You can almost imagine him giving his testimony before a congregation, swaying in trad wear and worship spirit. Put the lyrics on paper, lines like “2024, I pray to God, make I no fall o / Bí mo sé n lo, bí mo sé nbò, Olúwa só mí o” read like a watchword out of stickers made by religious faithful. Fireboy DML has iseoluwa, Asake has Suru, and Olamide has Morowore; the YBNL mafia has much to be thankful for this year.
Fireboy DML is ready to ride into the sunset with the love of his life on call me, produced by Nxrth and Bassiqally. The self-proclaimed playboy finds love again. He’s learned to be more open; he won’t always be present because the money he looks fort is on the road, but he promises to always come back. On ecstacy, his songwriting is as sharp as the Bassiqally production. Seun Kuti’s saxophone softly rings through. By now, it’s clear that physical touch is his love language. We get it, bruh.
It looks like Fireboy DML loses love as quickly as he finds it. Or perhaps he’s yet to heal from a previous relationship, yet already in a new one. He’s vindictive and clearer on hell and back. He rejects a forsaking lover’s plea and trashes the possibility of starting over again. He’s only into businesses that pay him and his peace of mind. The story continues on letting go with Lojay, the guy who brings a bevy of ladies in the yard to help you get over heartbreak. All in all, Fireboy warns an ex-lover not to disrupt his healing.
Violin and saxophone hum underneath on back and forth, and the busy hands of omele and gángan roll in, giving a start to Fireboy’s new attempt at love. The afro-fusion comes alive to the serenading baritone of Lagbaja, who has been resting since his last outing and performance with Rema at the 2022 AMVCA. This song’s a top collaboration. The production shows taste. The cooks are surplus, and the broth is excellent. Eskeez, Nxrth, Bassiqally and ID Cabasa did something here. ID Cabasa continues his work relationship with Fireboy since Olufunmi Reimagined. Fireboy DML and the legends: young fire and old flame.
Fireboy keeps burning for love. Setting aside contemplation, he throws himself to love on ready featuring Jon Batiste. He yearns to love and seeks the rewards of being loved in clear, confessional, passionate language. Nelson CJ calls it “detaching shame from vulnerability and desire” — a concept many have yet to learn and accept. Jon Bapiste is a featured background vocalist and producer alongside Blaisebeatz. [ad][/ad]
wande’s bop featuring SPINALL vibrates with bubblegum pop, a notable homage to Wande Coal, one of Fireboy DML’s favourite artists. This song sounds like a bit of Wande Coal’s Ashimapeyin and The Kick, which features SPINALL in its music video. If wande’s bop gets a video, Wande Coal should be the performing artist and model in it.
As far as an Afropop homage goes , this is similar to Arya Starr’s Jazzy Song. The kids continue to honour the Black Diamond. The next song, change your life and obaa sima, continues to seek the prospect of love. It gets monotonous and bearable on need. The already-released yawa and everyday continue to sport uptempo vibes, bringing the album’s end to an abrupt piano decrescendo with jon’s interlude. It feels like drummers took their instruments away, but it’s a gentle end.
The album plays out his romantic desires in approximately forty-one minutes. There are no complexities; it’s simple, and the themes give it déjà vu. It delivers some excitement missing from his music since “APOLLO”. Rather than a supernova, “adedamola” is stardust that rubs off on his talent and ability to keep his listeners engaged. He’s a reliable vocalist anytime. Fireboy DML remains one of the leading voices of his generation.
“adedamola” is arguably his best work since “Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps” and his most enjoyable since “APOLLO”. It’s jolly-ride music, enjoyable. Repeated listens will eventually break into a few tracks — preferred titles are left to personal choices.
“adedamola” has the quality to be among the last-standing albums of 2024 when it’s all said and done.
It’s impossible to get into the old cat, new cat conversation surrounding Afrobeats without acknowledging Olamide’s protégée, Fireboy DML.
Since he popped up on our radar in 2019 with his debut single, Jealous, the YBNL artiste has seen an upward climb that confirmed early suspicions —this one is going to be here for a long time. His vocals, energy and personality have tied into his craft and the magic he brings to live performances. Here’s a list of our favourite performances by the star.
Headies Awards (2019)
Riding off the wave of his hugely successful debut album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, the singer graced the stage at the 14th Headies Award, and delivered a performance of his single, Champions. Even as stage fright and vocal gymnastics almost got in the way, it was an important moment that set the tone of what to expect whenever you see Fireboy live in action.
The Tonight Show (2021)
Our boy was on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show, where he performed a medley of Champion off Apollo (2020) and Vibration off Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps (2019). While Fireboy DML holds his own at festivals and outdoor venues, his artistry in a more intimate setting is sweet like butter on hot agege bread, and this performance is proof.
Tiny Desk (2022)
You know you’re doing something right as an artiste when you score a spot to perform on NPR’s Tiny Desk concert. For his debut appearance, Fireboy performed a three-song set of Like I do, Tattoo and Pere—with a depth in delivery that opened up listeners and viewers to his unrelenting gospel of “Afro-life”.
Wembley OVO Arena show (2022)
Ed Sheeran wasn’t done with Fireboy after he featured on his hit single, Peru, and made a full appearance in the official music video. He had to complete the trifecta by joining the Afrobeats star on stage at his Wembley OVO Arena show. That singular moment captured what dreams are made of.
BET Awards (2022)
Nigerians were mad excited for the 2022 BET Awards but it wasn’t just because Afrobeat stars packed a punch in the nominations list. Fireboy DML also set that stage on fire. If there were doubts about his artistry before, he destroyed it, ate and left no crumbs. Our boy got the entire BET audience on their feet for Peru.
MOBO Awards (2022)
2022 was a year that put Fireboy’s stagecraft to the test but, boy, was he ready. Understandably, his music had crossed over to the global community and there was a need for a connection between Fireboy the singer and Fireboy the performer. We’re happy to report that he lit that stage with pure flames. Give him a Grammy already.
Wande Coal is an Afrobeats GOAT; no one can tell us otherwise. From his days at Mo’Hits delivering killer hooks on songs like Pere, Close to You and Booty Call to his debut album, Mushin 2 Mo’hits and now, the fantastic, Legend or No Legend, Wande Coal has remained consistent with the hits.
Wande Coal’s distinct sound has influenced many of the artistes we listen to today, so we’re here to give him his flowers ahead of his special performance at Trace LIVE on June 16, 2023.
Wizkid is one of the biggest Nigerian exports since crude oil. But before becoming Big W with the Grammys and Billboard Number Ones, Wiz lived with Wande Coal while making his debut album, Super Star. From songs like Love My Baby on that album to Pressure on his latest album, More Love, Less Ego, Wizkid has shown countless times that he has a degree from the Wande Coal University of Afrobeats.
Till date, mandem are on the street arguing about who sang the second verse on Fireboy DML’s 2021 hit, Peru.
The influence Wande Coal has on Fireboy DML’s music has been clear from his debut album Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps. If you think about it, their collaboration on Wande Coal’s Legend Or No Legend album was written in the stars.
Oxlade’s Ku Lo Sa was undoubtedly one of the biggest songs of 2022. 100 million TikTok challenges later, we can’t look at green walls the same ever again.
One thing that stands out in Ku Lo Sa is Oxlade’s falsetto and vocal run at the end. Listen closely and tell me it doesn’t remind you of Wande Coal serving vocals while singing: “Girl, you’re so damn fine” on Kiss Your Hands from his Mushin 2 Mo’Hits album?
Davido has claimed to be many things: the best, omo baba olowo and an assurance provider. But we think it’s high time we add Wande Coal prodigy to the list. Fun fact: Wande Coal’s influence on Davido goes beyond music. In an interview with Vibe Magazine, Wande shares how Davido left school in Atlanta to look for him twice and how he’s actually the one who first called the FEM singer OBO. Mad oh!
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Teni is one of the few female musicians in Nigeria that has found a unique niche and sound that works perfectly for her songwriting. Songs like Askamaya and Uyo Meyo are solid hits thanks to Teni’s mix of Afropop and the Juju music most millennials heard their parents listening to. While her influences include Salawa Abeni, Shina Peters and co, we can’t discount Wande Coal’s Mo’Hits days influence on her sound.
Peruzzi popped up on our radars with his feature on 2Face’s 2018 hit Amaka. While Peruzzi has collaborated with many artistes over the years, including Wande Coal himself, his solo music, especially songs like D-Side and Show Your Working, have given us a glimpse into his love for Wande Coal’s music post Mo’Hits.
Only a few artistes are touching the hem of Tay Iwar’s cargo pants when it comes to vocals and songwriting in the Nigerian music industry. While many Nigerians have placed Tay in an alté box, the singer steadily delivers insane R&B vocal performances and melodies that remind us of R&B Wande Coal circa Private Trips and Again.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation might’ve come and gone, but everyone is still talking about Tiwa Savage’s performance, particularly her song choice.
Keys to the Kingdom from Beyoncé’s The Gift is a song about black men remembering they’re kings no matter what, and Tiwa performed it for a white man whose ancestors discussed our slavery over tea and crumpets. And whether she should’ve sang or not is still up for debate.
However, if I had to pick Nigerian songs for this coronation, these would be my choices. You’re welcome, Charly Bomboy.
I love me some Tiwa Savage, but she should’ve performed Koroba instead of Keys to the Kingdom. After all, Camilla can totally relate to “I no come this life to suffer. If I follow politician. You go hear am for paper.” While Charles can relate to eating money he didn’t work for. This choice was staring our African bad gyal in the face, for god’s sake.
Do you think it’s easy to be the heir to the throne for over 60 years while your mother, the Queen, holds on to the last thread of life? This coronation is a thanksgiving service, dear. After all the waiting Charly Bomboy has done, he needs Sinach to lead a full-on worship session, starting with Waymaker.
Charles should’ve hit Asake up to perform Terminator at the coronation because when you really look at it, the British people have signed a contract with him that can’t be terminated unless he dies. This will be Charle’s love letter to his people.
Davido was ready to take over the Afrobeats throne when he dropped Dami Duro in 2012. Now, Charly Boy can confidently sing this song about being unstoppable as he occupies the throne and gains access to the billions and stolen jewels of the British monarchy his baba (and mama) olowo passed down to him.
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Yes, we all love Princess Diana; after all, she’s our mums’ BFF. But can we get into Charly Bomboy and CamCam’s love story? This man said, “I’d rather become the most hated man in Britain (or a tampon) than end our adulterous affair”. If this isn’t true love and loyalty, I don’t know what it is. No song captures this love like Teni’s For Your Case.
Spyro should’ve performed his smash hit because whether the people of Britain like it or not, Charly Bomboy is their guy. He’s the one they’ll have to hail every day.
From being the crowned prince for decades to finally becoming king? Just like Wande Coal, Charles’ level has changed. Not quite from Mushin to Mo’Hits; more like from one wing of Windsor Castle to another, but still. You go, boy.
This song will be a special dedication to all the Cha-milla haters. Yes, they cheated on their spouses. Yes, they did Diana dirty. But in the end, we’re all ashawos too, so why are we throwing stones in glass houses? Charles, ashawo. Camilla, ashawo. You, ashawo. Me, ashawo. All of us, ashawo.
I’m personally surprised Burna Boy didn’t perform at the coronation. The whole “being the only Nigerian to perform at the coronation” thing seems like his vibe. And Kilometre would’ve been the perfect song if he’d been there because Charles has truly seen shege waiting to become king.
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Fireboy DML, whose music has captured the hearts of millions of people across the globe, will be performing LIVE at the TECNO Spark Festival along with some of the industry’s most exciting and talented artists.
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What are you waiting for? Start registering and be prepared to attend.
You can also get more information when you follow TECNO on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Fireboy DML is killing it right now. Since he popped up in 2019 with Jealous, Fireboy has refused to lift his feet off our neck — but we’re not complaining.
Born Adedamola Adefolahan, Fireboy DML has become one of the biggest stars leading a new school of Afrobeat hitmakers. But how did he get here? Let’s take a trip down memory lane.
Every artist has the moment they made that big move to follow their dreams. Before becoming Fireboy DML, Damola Adefolahan packed his bags right after finishing from Obafemi Awolowo University and made his way to the chaotic city of Lagos. Squatting with a friend, he wrote music for other artists for the 10 months that followed, selling them for ₦30,000 – ₦50,000.
After hustling in Lagos for a while, Damola meets the one and only, Olamide, popularly known on the streets as “Baddo”. With stars like Adekunle Gold and Lil Kesh already signed to YBNL, Olamide mentioned he was done signing new artists when he met Damola. But something about this guy’s sound caught his attention, and he had to do the needful.
After being signed to YBNL, Damola rebranded as Fireboy DML. The DML came from his name, Damola, while Fireboy was a nickname his friend called him, nothing profound. Now, I’m curious to know how Joseph Akinwala Akinfenwa-Donus became Joeboy, but I digress.
Like Mavin did with Solar Plexus and EME with Empire Mates of Mind, YBNL dropped a compilation album, Mafia Family, on December 14. The album features Fireboy DML’s first song, Jealous.
Despite coming out the year before, Fireboy DML’s Jealous went under the radar until its video dropped in March 2019, making the song inescapable.
After Jealous became a nationwide hit, Fireboy dropped back-to-back bangers with What If I Say in June and my personal fave, King, in September.
As he does every year now, Wizkid shut down the O2 Arena, London, with Starboy Fest where he brought out 2019 breakout stars like Naira Marley, Teni, Oxlade and of course, Fireboy DML, for his first UK show — this guy didn’t even have an album or EP at this time.
Finally, on November 27, Fireboy DML dropped his first album, Laughter Tears and Goosebumps (LTG).
From Need You Now to Wait and See, LTG became a no-skips album and a mega-hit for an album with ZERO features.
The album packed so much energy that during the 2019 NativeLand concert in December 2019, one of the stages collapsed while Fireboy DML was singing Scatter. It was giving poetry.
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In an Instagram post during the lockdown, Fireboy DML revealed that he’d been stuck at home baking banana bread making new music. And in another post in June, he stylishly gave us the lyrics to Spell featuring Wande Coal.
Less than ten months after hitting us with Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, Fireboy DML dropped his second album, Apollo, with hits like Eli, Champion, New York City Girl and his sexiest song yet, Tattoo.
Fireboy DML closed out the year with features on Sere with DJ Spinall and Southy Love with Peruzzi. Whew!
Showing that he’s not anybody’s mate, Fireboy DML makes his first international TV show appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, performing Champion and Vibration.
We first got a glimpse of Fireboy DML’s next hit, Peru, when he posted this picture in a recording studio in San Francisco. Rumour has it that this is an image from the actual day Peru was recorded.
After teasing us, Peru dropped on July 21, and we all collectively lost our shit.
Fireboy DML closed out 2021 with a remix to Peru featuring Ed Sheeran in his afrobeat bag in a not-so-surprising twist. The song became a big hit, climbing the UK Charts like soft work.
Fireboy DML and Madonna weren’t names I expected to see on one song, but it happened, so there was that.
Not one to take breaks, Fireboy DML dropped his first official single of the year, Playboy, and everyone started barking “Ooof”.
Making his first appearance in Wembley Stadium, London, Fireboy DML got emotional after performing Peru alongside Ed Sheeran. Awwwww.
That same month, he made history as the first Nigerian act to perform on the main stage at the BET Awards.
On July 6, after months of guessing, Fireboy DML finally revealed that his new album would be called, Playboy. He eventually followed the announcement with the album’s new single, Bandana, and a feature from our latest obsession, Asake.
Fireboy DML’s third album, Playboy, officially drops, and for the third time in four years, we’re losing our shit all over again.
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With new music dropping faster than you can say, “Kapaichumarimarichopaco”, standing out and making a hit song takes a lot of work. But do you know what’ll make that work easier? Knowing the right artist to feature. Looking at their track records, we believe these are the artists that are guaranteed to give you a banger in 2022. Don’t say we didn’t do anything for you.
It doesn’t matter what name he decides to go with, BNXN is a certified hitmaker. From the moment L’enu hit the airwaves, we could see that this artist was here to stay. Since then, it’s been back-to-back hits both on solo projects and features. If you check the charts, chances are BNXN is directly involved with five songs that are popping — there was the time where his two songs, Feeling with Ladipoe and the solo single Outside were fighting for the number one spot on the charts. Check it and balance it; no one is doing it with as much finesse as BNXN.
The Receipts: Cold Outside with Timaya, Finesse with Pheelz, Bling with Blaqbonez, Mood with Wizkid and Hustle with Reminisce.
Remember when Tems popped up in 2019 and asked us not to try her? Omo, this babe wasn’t playing o. In less than five years, Tems has worked her way to the top of the Billboard charts, a Grammy nomination, two critically-acclaimed EPs and being featured on one of the biggest songs of 2021, Essence. At this point, you can’t talk about Nigerian music and not mention Tems. When she’s not making hits with Wizkid, Drake and DRB, our girl is busy making songs of her own that gets us in our feels.
The Receipts: Fountains with Drake, Peace with MannyWellz, Trouble with DRB Lasgidi and Tales by Moonlight with Show Dem Camp.
It’s Fireboy DML’s world and the rest of us are just paying rent. This man dropped Jealous in 2019 and decided we will not rest again because why has he been dropping hits consistently since then? When he’s not dropping albums back to back or moving from San Francisco to Germany, he’s laying vocals for other artists and shooting their songs to the top of the charts.
The Receipts: Running with Ladipoe, Southy Love with Peruzzi, History with Cheque, Sere with DJ Spinall and Ogaranya with Reminisce
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If you want your song to do extraordinary things for real, you should probably hit up Zinoleesky ASAP! The way it is, it feels like our memory of music has been split into two: music before Zinoleesky showed up and music after Zinoleesky came and put his foot on our necks. Zinoleesky’s vibe is all about not giving two fucks and living your life to the fullest, two things we fully agree with.
The Receipts: Blessings with Niphkeys, Don’t Call Me with Lil Kesh, Good Life with Mulla Rae and Like Dat with Lil Frosh.
Tay Iwar is hands down one of the most gifted artists of this generation, no cap. While many people may have been introduced to Tay on Wizkid’s True Love, the songwriter/singer/producer has been in the game since he dropped his first EP at 16 way back in 2014. Often credited as one of the pioneers of the alté movement, Tay has featured on and written songs for everyone from M.I to Tiwa Savage.
The Receipts: Special Kinda with Tiwa Savage, Shining with Pa Salieu, Murvlana with Cruel Santino, December with Juls and Steady with Wizkid.
Just when you think Oxlade is taking a break, he drops another banger. This guy has been unstoppable since we first noticed him on Blaqbonez’ Mami Wota. Scoring major hits left, right and centre, Oxlade is guaranteed to give you a hit record just by breathing into the mic. Yes, it’s that simple.
The Receipts: Causing Trouble with DJ Tunez, Ojuju with Troniq Music, Kolo with Ice Prince, Non Living Thing with Sarkodie and Myself with Basketmouth.
There’s something about Omah Lay’s music that just makes you want to relax and take life jejely. Coming out at the height of the pandemic with Bad Influence, Omah Lay’s creative combination of Afrobeats and Atlanta-inspired R&B made him stand out immediately. With lockdown finally over, Omah Lay’s songs have moved us from our bedrooms to the streets and we’re here for it.
The Receipts: Infinity with Olamide, Pronto with Ajebo Hustlers, PAMI with DJ Tunez, Forever with Gyakie and Peaches with Justin Bieber.
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There’s so much new music being released that it’s hard for even the most loyal fans to wade through the trash to find the gems. That’s why we’ve created #BumpThis – a Friday series that features new songs, by and featuring Nigerians, that you absolutely need to hear.
Last year, Fireboy DML dropped his exceptional debut album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, confidently announcing himself as an afropop up-and-comer to watch.
Now, he’s back with his equally impressive sophomore album, Apollo. While every song is noteworthy, it’s “Airplane Mode” — a relatable track about self-isolation — that ends up being the project’s beating heart.
For his third studio album, Afropop Vol.1, Adekunle Gold reinvents himself for the better. The versatile star delivers a stunningly-produced afropop album that will surely go down as one of the year’s best.
While the LP is full of tracks with catchy hooks, clever lyrics and standout features, it’s “Okay” that steals the entire show. It’s easily the smoothest send off to haters you’ll hear all year.
Granted, Cuppy has released a number of solid singles in the past — the Tekno-assisted “Green Light” was a particularly memorable effort — but most of her songs typically felt aimless and gimmicky.
That’s not the case with her outstanding debut album, Original Copy, which is confident and cohesive. The Darkoo-assisted “Cold Heart Killer”, in particular, is a standout track that finds Cuppy at her very best.
