Nigerian singer
Musical artist
Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan (born 5 February 1996),[2] known professionally as Fireboy DML, is a Nigerian singer. He is signed to YBNL Nation, a record label founded by Nigerian rapper Olamide.[3] His debut studio album Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps was released in 2019.[3] He won Listener's Choice and was nominated for Song of the Year for "Jealous" at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.[2]
Early life
Fireboy DML was born and raised in Abeokuta, Ogun state, and was a member of his church choir.[4] He developed interest in music while studying at Obafemi Awolowo University.
Career
2018-2020: Debut and Apollo
His breakthrough single "Jealous" first appeared on YBNL Nation's collaborative album YBNL Mafia Family (2018), before being re-released on 25 March 2019.[5][6] The song is composed of guitar riffs, traditional drums and percussion; it combines African harmonies with elements of country and soul music.[5][4] "Jealous" was produced by Cracker Mallo and is centered around love and the complicated feelings that go along with it.[4] The visuals for "Jealous" were directed by Director K.[5]
In June 2019, Fireboy DML released the romantic single "What If I Say".[7] It was produced by Pheelz, who incorporated a mix of percussion, ambient synth harmonies, and a drum riff into the production.[8] The visuals for "What If I Say" was directed by TG Omori.[8] On 1 August 2019, Fireboy DML released another single titled "King", in the song, he declares his worth to his love interest.[9][10] The accompanying music video for "King" was directed by TG Omori; it contains images of Fireboy and his love interest in a rose petal embellished Rolls-Royce, as well as images of him singing at a fashion show where models walk on a runway.[10]
Fireboy DML released his debut studio album Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps on 29 November 2019. It was initially scheduled for release on 25 November.[11] The album's music is a brand of R&B that combines love and social issues with empirical songwriting.[11] LTG comprises 13 tracks and doesn't feature any guest artist; it amassed over 6 million streams on Spotify three days after its release.[12][13] It received generally positive reviews from music critics, but was criticized for being labeled an "Afro-Life" record instead of an R&B album. LTG was supported by the previously released singles "Jealous", "What If I Say" and "King".[14] The single "Vibration" was a fan favourite.
On 17 August 2020, Fireboy released the tracklist to his sophomore album, Apollo.[15] Ivie Ani of Pitchfork gave the album an 8.3 rating out of 10, calling it "the peak of his vision so far, a melodious, detailed, and effortless album of feel-good pop and R&B."[16] NotJustOk wrote: "At the base of his writing is a deep-seated knack for introspection, the desire to be himself and a whole others like himself, spinning personal and borrowed accounts of existential crisis, ambition, love, lust and depression."[citation needed]
In 2021, Fireboy released the single "Peru," which Music in Africa wrote "affirms [his] Afrobeats intelligence."[17] He was featured on Ladipoe's hit "Running"[18] and WSTRN's single "Be My Guest",[19] and Cheque's single "History." He made a musical appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and performed a medley of the songs "Vibration," from Tears, Laughter and Goosebumps, and "Champion," from Apollo.[20]
On 24 December 2021, he released a version of Peru with Ed Sheeran which debuted on the United States' Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at number 2 on the United Kingdom's Official Singles Chart in 2022.[21][22][23]
2022-present: Collaborations and Playboy
On 3 March 2022, Fireboy was featured on the Sickick remix to Madonna's 1998 single "Frozen".[24] The official music video was filmed on the same day. On 6 July 2022, Fireboy announced via his official Twitter account that his third studio album titled "PLAYBOY"[25] would be out by 5 August 2022. In 2024, Fireboy was featured on the Justin Timberlake song "Liar".[26][27]
Artistry
Fireboy describes his sound as "Afro-Life" and said he writes songs that audiences can relate to.[4]
Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork characterized his sound as "slow-groove pop" and said it "tells stories about love with the formulaic structure of a Hallmark Christmas romance".[28]
He has cited Jon Bellion, Passenger and Wande Coal as his key contemporary influences.[4]
In popular culture
In 2020, Fireboy DML gained media coverage in Nigeria when his hit single "Champion" was used by FC Bayern Munich for their UEFA Super Cup celebrations.[29]
His song "Scatter" from his debut album Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps was included in the FIFA 21 game soundtrack.[30]
In November 2022, his song, "Coming Back For You," was included on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.[31]
