Fireboy DML
Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan (born 5 February 1996),[2][3] who is known professionally as Fireboy DML, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He is signed to 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]
Fireboy DML | |
|---|---|
Fireboy DML in 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan[1] |
| Born | 5 February 1996 Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria |
| Genres | Afrobeats, R&B, Afropop |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Labels | YBNL Nation, Empire Distribution |
| Website | fireboydml |
Early life edit
Fireboy DML was born and raised in Abeokuta, Ogun state, and was a member of his church choir.[5] He developed interest in music while studying at Obafemi Awolowo University.
Career edit
2018-2020: Debut and Apollo edit
His breakthrough single "Jealous" first appeared on YBNL Nation's collaborative album YBNL Mafia Family (2018), before being re-released on 25 March 2019.[6][7] The song is composed of guitar riffs, traditional drums and percussion; it combines African harmonies with elements of country and soul music.[6][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.[6]
In June 2019, Fireboy DML released the romantic single "What If I Say".[8] It was produced by Pheelz, who incorporated a mix of percussion, ambient synth harmonies, and a drum riff into the production.[9] The visuals for "What If I Say" was directed by TG Omori.[9] On 1 August 2019, Fireboy DML released another single titled "King", in the song, he declares his worth to his love interest.[10][11] 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.[11]
Fireboy DML released his debut studio album Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps on 29 November 2019. It was initially scheduled for release on 25 November.[12] The album's music is a brand of R&B that combines love and social issues with empirical songwriting.[12] LTG comprises 13 tracks and doesn't feature any guest artist; it amassed over 6 million streams on Spotify three days after its release.[13][14] 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".[15] The single "Vibration" was a fan favourite.
On 17 August 2020, Fireboy released the tracklist to his sophomore album, Apollo.[16] 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."[17] 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."[18] He was featured on Ladipoe's hit "Running"[19] and WSTRN's single "Be My Guest",[20] 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.[21]
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.[22][23][24]
2022-present: Collaborations and Playboy edit
On 3 March 2022, Fireboy was featured on the Sickick remix to Madonna's 1998 single "Frozen".[25] 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"[26] would be out by 5 August 2022. In 2024, Fireboy was featured on the Justin Timberlake song "Liar".[27][28]
Artistry edit
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 said it "tells stories about love with the formulaic structure of a Hallmark Christmas romance".[29]
He has cited Jon Bellion, Passenger and Wande Coal as his key contemporary influences.[5]
In popular culture edit
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.[30]
His song "Scatter" from his debut album Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps was included in the FIFA 21 game soundtrack.[31]
In November 2022, his song, "Coming Back For You," was included on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.[32]
Discography edit
Studio albums edit
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US [33] | ||
| Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps[34] |
| — |
| Apollo[35] |
| — |
| Playboy |
| 123 |
Singles edit
As lead artist edit
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN [36] | FRA [37] | IRE [38] | SWE [39] | SWI [40] | UK [41] | UK Indie [42] | US [43] | US World [44] | WW [45] | ||||||
| "Jealous" | 2018 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps | |||
| "What If I Say" | 2019 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| "King" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| "New York City Girl" | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Apollo | |||
| "Eli" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| "Tattoo" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| "Champion" (with D Smoke) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| "Peru" (solo, with Ed Sheeran, or with 21 Savage and Blxst) | 2021 | 37 | 40 [46] | 7 | 35 | 31 | 2 | 13 | 53 | 2 | 34 | Playboy | |||
| "Running" (with Ladipoe)[49] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Providence | ||||
| "Beauty & the Madness" (with Rexx Life Raj and Wale)[50] | 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |||
| "Playboy"[51] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Playboy | ||||
| "Someone"[52] | 2023 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Someone | |||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||||||
As featured artist edit
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Dance [53] | |||
| "Frozen (Fireboy DML remix)" (Madonna vs Sickick featuring Fireboy DML) | 2022 | 12 | Non-album single |
| "Me and My Guitar" (Jax Jones featuring Fireboy DML) | 2023 | — | TBA |
| "Drink Water" (Jon Bellion featuring Jon Bellion and Fireboy DML)[54] | — | Non-album single |
Album appearances edit
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Liar" (Justin Timberlake featuring Fireboy DML) | 2024 | — | Everything I Thought It Was |
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Award ceremony | Prize | Recipient | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | The Headies | Next Rated | Himself | Nominated | [55] |
| Viewer's Choice | Nominated | ||||
| Song of the Year | "Jealous" | Nominated | |||
| City People Music Awards | Most Promising Act of the Year | Himself | Won | [56] | |
| Best New Act of the Year | Nominated | ||||
| Revelation of the Year | Nominated | ||||
| 2020 | Soundcity MVP Awards Festival | Song of the Year | "Jealous" | Nominated | [57] |
| Listeners' Choice | Fireboy DML for "Jealous" | Won | |||
| Best New MVP | Himself | Nominated | |||
| The Headies | Album of the Year | Apollo | Won | [58][59] | |
| Best Pop Album | Won | ||||
| Best R&B Album | "Tears, Laughter and Goosebumps" | Won | |||
| Best R&B Single | "Tattoo" | Won | |||
| Headies Revelation | Fireboy DML | Won | |||
| 2021 | African Entertainment Awards USA | Song of the Year | "Peru" | Nominated | |
| All Africa Music Awards | African Fan's Favourite | Himself | Won | ||
| NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding International Song | "Peru" | Nominated | [60][61] | |
| The Future Awards Africa | Prize for Music (Endowed by Infinix) | Himself | Nominated | [62] | |
| 2022 | The Headies | Best Songwriter of the Year | "Peru" | Nominated | [63] |
| Best Afrobeat Single (Nigeria) | Won | ||||
| Song of the Year | Nominated | ||||
| Viewer's Choice | Himself for "Peru" | Nominated | |||
| BET Awards | Best International Act | Himself | Nominated | [64] |
References edit
- ^ "AFAR". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ Bamise Oyetayo (5 February 2021). "It's Fireboy DML's Birthday! Here Are Some Facts About the Elusive Singer". NotJustOk. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ 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...
- ^ a b "Fireboy DML album make pipo do wow!". BBC News Pidgin. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Akan, Joey (29 August 2019). "The New Guard of Nigerian Musicians". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ a b c Abimbolu, Debola (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 Abimbolu, Debola (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 Abimbolu, Debola (17 September 2019). "Fireboy DML brings Lover Boy feels to new video, "King"". Native. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ a b Alake, Motolani (1 December 2019). "'Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps' is a commendable debut by Fireboy". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ^ Makinde, Tami (6 November 2019). "Fireboy DML Announces his debut album 'Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps'". Native. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ^ Wyldwolf, Nonni (2 December 2019). "News:- Fireboy DML's Album "Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps" Hits 6Million Spotify Streams In 3days". Nigerian Sounds. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ^ Renoncourt, François (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.
- ^ Ani, Ivie. "APOLLO". Pitchfork. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ Hansen, Gabrielle Myers (4 November 2021). "Peru affirms Fireboy DML's Afrobeats intelligence". Music in Africa. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ Bartee, Richardine. "Hear Nigerian artist Ladipoe's dark new track featuring Afrobeats star Fireboy DML". GrungeCake.com. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ "New Video: WSTRN feat. Fireboy DML – Be My Guest". Bella Naija. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ Bloom, Madison (13 February 2021). "Watch Fireboy DML Perform "Champion/Vibration" Medley on Fallon". Pitchfork. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ "Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran - Peru". OkayWap. 12 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
- ^ "Fireboy DML Sets New Milestone On Billboard Charts With 'Peru'". NotJustOk. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 16 January 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
- ^ "Madonna sizzles next to Afrobeats star Fireboy DML in collaboration teaser". March 2022.
- ^ "my third studio album, "playboy" - out on the 5th of August. available for pre-save now". Twitter. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
- ^ Garcia, Thania (4 March 2024). "Justin Timberlake Reveals Tracklist for 'Everything I Thought It Was' Album, Confirming New NSYNC Single". Variety. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ Espinoza, Joshua (15 March 2024). "Justin Timberlake Releases His Sixth Studio Album 'Everything I Thought It Was'". Complex. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ Pierre, Alphonse (4 December 2019). "The Ones: Fireboy DML's "Like I Do"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
- ^ Alake, Motolani (28 September 2020). "European champions, Bayern Munich uses Fireboy's 'Champion' to celebrate European Super Cup win". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ Alake, Motolani (28 September 2020). "Fireboy, Burna Boy and Rema feature on FIFA 21 soundtrack". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
- ^ "'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' Music From and Inspired By Soundtrack Launches Globally on November 4". Marvel Entertainment. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
- ^ @billboardcharts (15 August 2022). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (2/2)..." (Tweet). Retrieved 16 August 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ . 8o8wave.com. 29 November 2019. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "FireBoy DML Studio Albums". music.youtube.com. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
- ^ "Fireboy DML Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ "Top Singles (Week 14, 2022)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
- ^ "Discography Fireboy DML". irish-charts.com. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
- ^ "Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran – Peru". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ "Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran – Peru". Swiss Hitparade. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ "Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
- ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ "Fireboy DML Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ^ "Fireboy DML Chart History: World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ "Fireboy DML Chart History: Global 200". Billboard. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
- ^ "Top Singles (Week 17, 2022)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ "British certifications – Fireboy DML". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 24 December 2022. Type Fireboy DML in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "American certifications – Fireboy DML". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- ^ "Running by LADIPOE, Fireboy DML". Spotify. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ "Beauty & the Madness - Single by Rexx Life Raj, Fireboy DML & Wale". Apple Music. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ "Playboy - Single by Fireboy DML". Apple Music. 1 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ "Someone - Single by Fireboy DML". Apple Music. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (March 19, 2022)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ "Jon Batiste Wants You to 'Drink Water' on New Single With Jon Bellion, Fireboy DML". Rolling Stone. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
- ^ Bada, Gbenga (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.
- ^ Durosomo, Damola (13 January 2020). "Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Rema, Teni & More Win Big at 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
- ^ "Fireboy leads pack of winners at 14th Headies". Vanguard News. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ "14th Headies: Fire Boy tops winners list with five awards (FULL LIST)". 22 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ Lewis, Hilary (18 January 2022). "NAACP Image Awards: 'Harder They Fall,' 'Insecure' Lead Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ Zhan, Jennifer (26 February 2022). "NAACP Image Awards Winners Include Jazmine Sullivan, Will Smith, Red Table Talk". Vulture. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ Mix, Pulse (19 February 2022). "Infinix is sponsoring the music category of the Future Awards Africa 2022". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ "Full list: Wizkid, Davido get 2022 Headies nominations". Punch Newspapers. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ "BET Awards 2022 Nominees Announced". BET. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
External links edit
Media related to Fireboy DML at Wikimedia Commons