Fireboy DML, Playboy album: A lagos-based babe’s Takeaways
Forget popularity contests and promotional strategies. Make a mental list of your Top 5 new gen Nigerian artists and I bet your ex’s front tooth that Fireboy DML is on that list!
After waiting till midnight last Friday to listen to his new Playboy album, I can confirm that he certainly earned that spot. Here are 4 takeaways explaining why:
INTROSPECTION IS KEY
“My life dey make more sense as I get older, wake up in the morning, do some yoga”.
Fireboy demonstrates self awareness and reflection as he tackles adulting & stardom. The 26 year old YBNL signee starts off his third studio album on an introspective note with Change; letting us in on the woes, wins & coping mechanisms of getting older.
“I got everybody smiling, Don’t know if they like me for my person or my talent… I be suffering but I’m silent”.
Awww Fireboy 🥹!
Amid his consciousness of lifestyle changes since releasing international bangers like Champion, he signals awareness of the new special treatment but interestingly expresses youthful angst despite that admiration.
Although Fireboy sings “I no like Gbana” & “Mi okin fa’gbo” on the previously released album singles Playboy and Peru, he also sings “Sex and cannabis, Tryna find my peace” on the intro track. So which is it Fireboy 🤔, wake and yoga or wake and bake? 👀
We see his YBNL label mate, Asake as the first feature on the album, bringing his signature choir-style hook on Bandana. Right on trend and great label decision for sure!
ALL OF US BE ASHAWO?
The meat of the album is all about familiarity, humour and versatility for Fireboy, with Sofri taking us back to Nigerian rapper, Skales 2017 hit, Mukulu.
Remember the street legend who fought for the entire female gender by advocating against calling just women ashawo (prostitute, slut) and making the line “all of us is ashewo” go viral on the Nigerian internet around 2016?
Fireboy makes a hilarious throwback to that viral video with the track Ashawo, iterating the narrative that Lagos-based relationships cannot do without cheating as he sings the super catchy chorus “No be my fault na shayo, na all of us be ashawo”.
He conveys versatility on Adore, delivering smooth rap lines just before switching to his more recognisable singing on the track with American-Dominican rapper, Euro who incidentally sings entirely.
Are you feeling Afro Chris?
Chris Brown makes a smooth appearance on the album, continuing his amazing American-Afrobeat streak on Track 7. The track also features Shenseea & the Jamaican stunner brings even more flavour to this intercontinental mashup that makes you want a replay.
BROMANCE IS THE NEW COMPETITION
Over the years, Fireboy hasn’t held back on expressing his lack of interest in competition on social media & in songs like Sing with Oxlade. This sentiment is also shared by his industry bestie, Rema, who has publicly rallied for genuine friendship rather than playing to the industry.
In true spirit of friendship & collaboration, their poker-playing bromance seen in Playboy video continues on Compromise; a classic midtempo number about the nature of love. The track sees both stars at the truest to their respective sounds. I only wish there was more back & forth integration in their deliveries. Nevertheless, I foresee a fitting video maximising engagement in both fanbases much like Burna boy & Wizkid’s B. D’or.
Fireboy could very well be the new gen Burna Boy evidenced in his VERY Odogwu flow on Timoti, the feel-good track which comes before the original version of Peru.
AFRO HIGHLIFE INTERNATIONAL
Buttressing my last point & more importantly, keeping unadulterated Afrobeat alive, fan-favourite track Afro Highlife ushers a celebratory descent to the end of the album. This very classic sound complete with bass guitars, saxophones, drums & female backup singers trended on Nigerian twitter just past midnight on the album release night as we all remember Afrobeat Godfather, Fela & his kalakuta queens.
DML is very alive on Reggae-infused Havin’ fun. Aptly titled, his carefree melodies show multicultural exposure & an understanding of music genres.
Previously released Peru remix with Ed Sheeran is the icing on the cake of the album & very nicely placed right before the outro track.
“I remember, when I dey hustle inside Lagos … Now I did it, I’m gonna live forever”
Glory is indeed a resplendent ending to the colourful album. Fireboy DML is aware of himself; past, present and future. The wonderful western-ish hook only shows how he has metamorphosed into an international sensation before our eyes. Palatable worldwide, the Playboy album is an intentional collection of Fireboy DML’s success story; witnessed not only by Lagos Nigeria, but by the entire world. Merveilleux!
