Nigerian superstar Fireboy DML’s evolution in the spotlight has been nothing short of dynamic. His latest self-titled fourth studio album, adedamola, marks a departure from mainstream Afrobeats, diving into the rich sounds of traditional West African instrumentation. The album boasts an impressive roster of collaborators, including African legend Lagbaja, Grammy-winning Jon Batiste, Afrobeat royalty Seun Kuti, and contemporary stars Lojay and DJ Spinall.
adedamola stands out for its vulnerability, exploring heartbreak, family dynamics, and the pursuit of joy and peace as central themes. It arrives after the success of his 2022 album Playboy, driven by the hit single “Peru,” which saw Ed Sheeran jump on a remix, earning the track platinum status in the U.S. and diamond in France. Fireboy’s profile soared even further with a feature on Sickick’s remix of Madonna’s 1998 single “Frozen,” where he starred alongside the Queen of Pop in a mysterious video.
Despite his earlier releases, the massive success of “Peru” catapulted Fireboy to new global audiences. Now, with the experience of a seasoned artist, the Abeokuta-born star is embracing the creative freedom that comes with maturity.
During a recent visit to New York City for Fashion Week appearances and the release of adedamola, Fireboy caught up with EBONY to talk about his new album, balancing friendships, and the importance of staying authentic in his music. The following evening, EBONY attended an exclusive release party in Brooklyn, where some of Afrobeats’ biggest names made special appearances.
EBONY: This album is very personal for you – it’s self-titled. You’ve been here for a moment. People know the name, they know the songs. How do you decide, going into this new project, to remove the mask and reveal more about who you are? Especially when, as an artist, being mysterious usually works for most?
Fireboy DML: I think it’s just about timing. Timing and finding balance. Also, I think most of the time I just let the universe take its course: when it’s time to hide, when it’s time to be reclusive, when it’s time to switch it up. The universe will find a way to remind you. Last year was a lot for me. I learned, we learned, figured out a lot of things. So I think that was a switch for me. That was what made me realize that okay, ‘yeah, you’re in a different head space now. I think it’s time for people to hear something new from you.’ That’s how I work when I’m making albums. I was like, ‘yeah, lemme come out of my shell and remind people that I’ve not lost the essence of who I am.’
What was the moment that occurred that made you say, ‘okay, let me listen.’? Sometimes as humans, especially as young people, we’ll be going nonstop and something will be so present in our face and we’ll ignore it. We have our own plan, but God’s plan is different sometimes.
I almost lost someone dear to me and the year before I lost someone dear to me. So that just shook me . and then as the year progressed, a lot of things started happening. I think it was a year where I realized that [I am] a fully grown adult living life on its own terms in this scary world. [I was like] ‘yo snap out of it, you’re Fireboy, but you’re also a human being just like everybody else.’ It was a series of events that just made sense.
How have you navigated relationships as you continue to evolve and become bigger and become more tapped in with your music? How have you navigated still having friends who are living “normal” lives?
I mean, it’s tough to be honest because no matter how close you think you are to someone, when they become very successful and famous, there’s a way [people] look at them. It’s just different. I saw that firsthand. People that I thought really knew me. So it can be very complicated with those things. I have a few friends. I’ve always had a few friends, but the ones that I have are solid and they try to understand the different dynamics of our relationship because they know that everything can’t be black and white. Things have changed. But, I have good people around me. I can say that for sure.
The music world can get very zoomed in, and one little industry thing can feel like it is the end of the world when something doesn’t work out. Meanwhile, someone’s like, yeah, I went to work today and I am going to this soccer match later, and they’re just chilling.
Exactly. It just puts things in perspective for you. I need to relax a bit.
With your family, are they a good measure of keeping you grounded?
Yes. I was raised with love. I cannot deny that I was raised with love. I think that’s why most of my songs are I love songs, I guess. I also grew up very quiet and I observed a lot. So I think human nature, just watching and observing people helped too. I grew up with amazing parents. So whenever I’m with my family, my immediate family, it doesn’t feel like I’m working.
It really sounds like this project is a reflection of home in a lot of ways. It is. Obviously, it is self-titled. When listening to the project it leans a lot more into high life (jazz-inspired West African Music), a little bit more of traditional sounding elements that are kind of separate from modern-day Afrobeats. Did home and your family kind of inspire that sound?
In a way. But I’ll be honest, the reason why it sounds like that is because I wanted it to sound very nostalgic and as African as possible. The soundscape right now… I feel like it demanded it, but I personally, me, I just really wanted to make something that really started like a call home. I wanted to remind people that I haven’t lost the true essence of myself. I want people to, know the Adedemola you still love and know is still here.
It’s a personal thing. I wanted to create music that sounds like a call for my mom, something very nostalgic, something that reminds you of when you were young, when your mom would dress you up for school. The kind of music you hear on TV when you’re dressing up for school in the morning, Sounds like peace and love. We need a lot of that.
African music is getting bigger. We’re seeing Afrobeats evolve and be inspired by the world. On this new album, you worked with Jon Batiste on two tracks the outro and the standout track “Ready.” It’s a slower mid-tempo track but not a pop song – it felt like you were more so bringing Jon into your world versus you just bringing tiny elements of African music. What was that experience like working with him and sharing your vision for the project? How did you guys get connected?
We met in person in LA and we just kind of struck it straight up immediately. He loves music so much and he enjoys making music. He enjoys the art of making music and that just immediately endeared me to him because I love people who are just locked in [creatively]. I think he is the best piano player I have heard with my own ears.
We made “Ready” in LA after a very long all-night session. [I was] already tired, but I played him something and then he just took it off from there. We were talking about merging his own knowledge of black music, black church music, and me bringing my own soul Afrobeats vibe and merging. And we kind of did that on a few records that will be put out very soon.
You also worked with Seun Kuti on this project as well, and his father Fela has been seen as the Godfather of African music. How does it feel to work with an icon that has meant so much to African music?
I wanted the album to be a bridge that connects the past and the future. And that’s why you have people like Seun Kuti. You have someone Laja, but you also have someone like Lojay. So it’s like a bridge between you two generations. It’s just me saying, ‘Let’s not forget where we’re coming from. Let’s not forget where we’re going.’ I was just trying to [create an] album that represents African music entirely. And Seun is a crazy guy. If you’ve met him, he is a crazy guy. He’s a fun person, an amazing musician, an amazing person, and very knowledgeable. Every time I sit with him, I learn something new. It might be something really fucked up, but it’s something new [laughs].
Would you consider yourself an introvert? Personally?
Very much so. In fact, bordering towards social anxiety [laughs]. But I think it’s a very normal thing, and I think I’m just trying to find balance. But I’m trying to foster relationships more and reach out. I’m the friend that you won’t see for five years, but when you call me, I’ll pull up for you. I don’t mind. I am not the kind of person who takes things personally, oh, you didn’t reach out to me on my birthday, blah, blah, blah. I’m fine. I’m cool. I just be chilling, man. [laughs]
What’s one thing that you want your fans to know and want them to take away from this project?
I want them to rest assured that everything is absolutely fine. I want them to just relax and enjoy the music, to know that everything is absolutely under control.
Did you feel like they were concerned or worried?
I mean, you can always feel the pulse of your fans if you care enough. I try to foster very good relationships with my fans… because I realize that this music is not just about you. I’m a very selfish songwriter. I make music based on how I feel, what I want, music that makes me feel good. When I listen to my music, I listen to music for myself. I make most of my songs for my own personal pleasure. But I started to understand that it’s bigger than me. I’ve seen enough to know that music is really powerful and deep for people. People have tied their hopes, have so much attachment, so much faith to my music. So yeah, I just want ’em to know that everything is okay, I’m fine. I’m in a great place right now and I’m happy and I really want them to be happy too.
