Fireboy DML
Fireboy DML | |
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![]() Fireboy DML chatting with Wazobia Max TV in March 2019 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Adedamola Adefolahan |
Also known as | Fireboy |
Born | 1996/1997 Ogun State, Nigeria |
Genres | Afrobeats, R&B |
Occupation(s) |
|
Years active | 2012-present |
Labels | YBNL Nation, Empire |
Website | fireboydml |
Adedamola Adefolahan (born 1996/1997),[1] known professionally as Fireboy DML, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.[2] He is signed to YBNL Nation, an independent record label founded by Nigerian rapper Olamide.[2] His debut studio album Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps was released in 2019.[2] He won Listener's Choice and was nominated for Song of the Year for "Jealous" at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.[1]
Career
2018–present: "Jealous" and Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps
Fireboy DML grew up in Abeokuta and was a member of his local church choir.[3] He developed interest in music while studying at Obafemi Awolowo University. His breakthrough single "Jealous" first appeared on YBNL Nation's collaborative album YBNL Mafia Family (2018), before being re-released on 25 March 2019.[4][5] The song is composed of guitar riffs, traditional drums and percussion; it combines African harmonies with elements of country and soul music.[4][3] "Jealous" was produced by Cracker Mallo and is centered around love and the complicated feelings that go along with it.[3] The visuals for "Jealous" was directed by Director K.[4]
On 14 June 2019, Fireboy DML released the romantic single "What If I Say".[6] It was produced by Pheelz, who incorporated a mix of percussion, ambient synth harmonies, and a drum riff into the production.[7] The visuals for "What If I Say" was directed by TG Omori.[7] On 1 August 2019, Fireboy DML released the Echo the Guru-produced single "King"; in it, he declares his worth to his love interest.[8][9] 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.[9]
Fireboy DML released his debut studio album Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps on 29 November 2019. It was initially scheduled for release on 25 November.[10] The album's music is a brand of R&B that combines love and social issues with empirical songwriting.[10] LTG comprises 13 tracks and doesn't feature any guest artist; it amassed over 6 million streams on Spotify three days after its release.[11][12] 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".[13]
On August 17, 2020, Fireboy released the tracklist to his sophomore album, 'Apollo.[14]
Fireboy DML has cited Jon Bellion, Passenger and Wande Coal as his key contemporary influences.[3]
Artistry
Fireboy DML describes his sound as "Afro-Life" and said he writes songs that audiences can relate to.[3] 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".[15]
Discography
Studio albums
- Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps (2019)
- Apollo (2020)
Singles
- "Jealous" (2019)[16]
- "What If I Say" (2019)
- "King" (2019)
- "New York City Girl" (2020)[17]
- "Eli" (2020)[18]
- "Tattoo"[19]
Awards and nominations
Year | Award ceremony | Prize | Recipient | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | The Headies | Next Rated | Himself | Nominated | [20] |
Viewer's Choice | Nominated | ||||
Song of the Year | "Jealous" | Nominated | |||
City People Music Awards | Popular Song of the Year | "Baby" | Nominated | [21] | |
Most Promising Act of the Year | Himself | Won | |||
Best New Act of the Year | Nominated | ||||
Revelation of the Year | Nominated | ||||
2020 | Soundcity MVP Awards Festival | Song of the Year | "Jealous" | Nominated | [22] |
Listeners' Choice | Fireboy DML for "Jealous" | Won | |||
Best New MVP | Himself | Nominated |
References
- ^ a b "Watch Fireboy DML's New Music Video for 'Need You'". OkayAfrica. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
The 23-year-old artist...
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c "Fireboy DML album make pipo do wow!". BBC News Pidgin. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c d e Joey Akan (29 August 2019). "The New Guard of Nigerian Musicians". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ a b c Debola Abimbolu (26 March 2019). "Watch the Cinematic Music Video for Fireboy DML's "Jealous"". Native. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ "Jealous - Single by Fireboy DML". Apple Music. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ^ "What If I Say - Single by Fireboy DML". Apple Music. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ a b Debola Abimbolu (14 June 2019). "Fireboy DML shares music video for romantic new single, "What If I Say"". Native. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ "King - Single by Fireboy DML". Apple Music. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ a b Debola Abimbolu (17 September 2019). "Fireboy DML brings Lover Boy feels to new video, "King"". Native. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ a b Motolani Alake (1 December 2019). "'Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps' is a commendable debut by Fireboy". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ^ Tami Makinde (6 November 2019). "Fireboy DML Announces his debut album 'Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps'". Native. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ^ Nonni Wyldwolf (2 December 2019). "News:- Fireboy DML's Album "Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps" Hits 6Million Spotify Streams In 3days". Nigerian Sounds. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ^ François Renoncourt (21 November 2019). "Fireboy DML, an urban romance". Pan African Music. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ^ "Fireboy releases tracklist for 17-track new album, 'Apollo'". Pulse Nigeria. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
- ^ Pierre, Alphonse (4 December 2019). "The Ones: Fireboy DML's "Like I Do"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "FireBoy DML Songs & Albums". Thecityceleb.com. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ "FireBoy DML - New York City Girl". Trendybeatz.com. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
- ^ "FireBoy DML - Eli Audio » TrendyBeatz". Trendybeatz.com. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
- ^ "DOWNLOAD AUDIO + VIDEO: Fireboy DML – Tattoo". lokcitymusic.com. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ Gbenga Bada (20 October 2019). "Headies 2019: Here are all the winners at the 13th edition of music award". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
- ^ Reporter (25 October 2019). "#CityPeopleMusicAwards: Nominees List Out". City People Magazine. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- ^ Damola Durosomo (13 January 2020). "Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Rema, Teni & More Win Big at 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
- ^ Fireboy DML – Tattoo. Retrieved 12 August 2020 – via Xclusivepop.com.