Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan (born 5 February 1996),[2][3] known professionally as Fireboy DML, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. In 2018, he signed a record deal with YBNL Nation, a record label founded by rapper Olamide.[4] His debut studio album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, was released in 2019.[4] He won Listener's Choice and was nominated for Song of the Year for "Jealous" at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.[3] His third studio album, Playboy, entered the Billboard 200 at number 123. His latest album, Adedamola, was released in 2024.
Early life and education
Fireboy DML was born on 5 February 1996 and raised in Abeokuta, Ogun state, and was a member of his church choir.[5] He developed an interest in music while studying at Obafemi Awolowo University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in English. He moved to Lagos to pursue music as a full-time career.[6]
Music 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.[7][8] The song is composed of guitar riffs, traditional drums and percussion; it combines African harmonies with elements of country and soul music.[7][5] "Jealous" was produced by Cracker Mallo and is centered around love and the complicated feelings that go along with it.[5] The visuals for "Jealous" were directed by Director K.[7]
In June 2019, Fireboy DML released the ballad single "What If I Say".[9] It was produced by Pheelz, who incorporated a mix of percussion, ambient synth harmonies, and a drum riff into the production[10] and plugged by Olaitan.[11] The visuals for "What If I Say" was directed by TG Omori.[10] On 1 August 2019, Fireboy DML released another single titled "King", where he declares his worth to his love interest.[12][13] 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, and images of him singing at a fashion show where models walk on a runway.[13]
Fireboy released his debut studio album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, on 29 November 2019. It was initially scheduled for release on 25 November.[14] The album's music is a brand of R&B that combines love and social issues with empirical songwriting.[14]LTG comprises 13 tracks and doesn't feature any guest artist; it amassed over 6 million streams on Spotify three days after its release.[15][16] 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".[17] The single "Vibration" was a fan favourite.
On 17 August 2020, Fireboy unveiled the tracklist to his sophomore studio album, Apollo.[18] 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".[19]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."[20]
In 2021, Fireboy released the single "Peru," which Music in Africa wrote "affirms [his] Afrobeats intelligence."[21] He was featured on Ladipoe's hit "Running"[22] and WSTRN's single "Be My Guest",[23] and Cheque's single "History". He made a musical appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing a medley of his songs "Vibration" from Tears, Laughter and Goosebumps, and "Champion" from Apollo.[24]
On 24 December 2021, he released a remix version of "Peru" with Ed Sheeran, which debuted at number 53 on the United States' Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at number 2 on the United Kingdom's Official Singles Chart in 2022. It became certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[25][26][27]
2022-present: Collaborations, Playboy and Adedamola
On 3 March 2022, Fireboy was featured on the Sickick remix to Madonna's 1998 single "Frozen".[28] 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 entitled Playboy[29] would be out by 5 August 2022.
In 2024, Fireboy was featured on the Justin Timberlake song "Liar", appearing on Timberlake's sixth studio album Everything I Thought It Was.[30][31] He released his fourth studio album, Adedamola, on 29 August 2024. The album featured prominent Nigerian and international artists such as Lagbaja on “Back n Forth" and Jon Batiste on “Ready” and “Jon’s Interlude”.[32]
Artistry
Fireboy describes his sound as "Afro-Life" and said he writes songs that audiences can relate to.[5] Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork characterized his sound as "slow-groove pop" and stated it "tells stories about love with the formulaic structure of a Hallmark Christmas romance".[33]
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.[34]
