# Fireboy DML

Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan (born 5 February 1996), 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. His debut studio album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, was released in 2019. He won Listener's Choice and was nominated for Song of the Year for "Jealous" at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival. His third studio album, Playboy, entered the Billboard 200 at number 123. His latest album, Adedamola, was released in 2024.

## Early life

Fireboy DML was born and raised in Abeokuta, Ogun state, and was a member of his church choir. 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.

## 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. The song is composed of guitar riffs, traditional drums and percussion; it combines African harmonies with elements of country and soul music. "Jealous" was produced by Cracker Mallo and is centered around love and the complicated feelings that go along with it. The visuals for "Jealous" were directed by Director K.
In June 2019, Fireboy DML released the ballad single "What If I Say". It was produced by Pheelz, who incorporated a mix of percussion, ambient synth harmonies, and a drum riff into the production and plugged by Olaitan. The visuals for "What If I Say" was directed by TG Omori. On 1 August 2019, Fireboy DML released another single titled "King", where he declares his worth to his love interest. 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.
Fireboy released his debut studio album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, on 29 November 2019. It was initially scheduled for release on 25 November. The album's music is a brand of R&B that combines love and social issues with empirical songwriting. LTG comprises 13 tracks and doesn't feature any guest artist; it amassed over 6 million streams on Spotify three days after its release. 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". The single "Vibration" was a fan favourite.
On 17 August 2020, Fireboy unveiled the tracklist to his sophomore studio album, Apollo. 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". 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."
In 2021, Fireboy released the single "Peru," which Music in Africa wrote "affirms [his] Afrobeats intelligence." He was featured on Ladipoe's hit "Running" and WSTRN's single "Be My Guest", 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.
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).

### 2022-present: Collaborations, Playboy and Adedamola

On 3 March 2022, Fireboy was featured on the Sickick remix to Madonna's 1998 single "Frozen". 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 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. 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”.

## Artistry

Fireboy describes his sound as "Afro-Life" and said he writes songs that audiences can relate to. 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".
He has cited Jon Bellion, Passenger, and Wande Coal as his key contemporary influences.

## In popular culture

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.
His song "Scatter" from his debut album Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps was included in the FIFA 21 game soundtrack.
In November 2022, his song, "Coming Back For You," was included on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.

## Discography
### Studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Album details | US |
| Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps | Released: 29 November 2019 Label: YBNL Nation Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming | — |
| Apollo | Released: 20 August 2020 Label: YBNL Nation/Empire Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming | — |
| Playboy | Released: 5 August 2022 Label: YBNL Nation/Empire Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming | 123 |
| Adedamola | Released: 29 August 2024 Label: YBNL Nation/Empire Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming | — |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |||

### EPs

| Title | EP details |
| Outside / Obaa Sima | Released: 7 December 2023 Label: YBNL Nation/Empire Formats: Digital download |

### Singles
#### As lead artist

List of singles, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
| Title | Year | CAN | FRA | IRE | SWE | SWI | UK | UK Indie | US | US World | WW | Certifications | Album |
| "Jealous" | 2018 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps |
| "What If I Say" | 2019 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps |
| "King" | 2019 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps |
| "New York City Girl" | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Apollo |
| "Eli" | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Apollo |
| "Tattoo" | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Apollo |
| "Champion" (with D Smoke) | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Apollo |
| "Peru" (solo, with Ed Sheeran, or with 21 Savage and Blxst) | 2021 | 37 | 40 | 7 | 35 | 31 | 2 | 13 | 53 | 2 | 34 | BPI: 2× Platinum RIAA: Gold | Playboy |
| "Running" (with Ladipoe) | 2021 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Providence |
| "Beauty & the Madness" (with Rexx Life Raj and Wale) | 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Non-album single |
| "Playboy" | 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Playboy |
| "Bandana" (with Asake) | 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | BPI: Silver | Playboy |
| "Someone" | 2023 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Someone |
| "Everyday" | 2024 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Non-album single |
| "Heavy Heart" (with Loco Dice and Skrillex) | 2024 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | TBA |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. ||||||||||||||

#### As featured artist

List of singles, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | US Dance | Album |
| "Frozen (Fireboy DML remix)" (Madonna vs Sickick featuring Fireboy DML) | 2022 | 12 | Non-album singles |
| "Me and My Guitar" (Jax Jones featuring Fireboy DML) | 2023 | — | Non-album singles |
| "Drink Water" (Jon Batiste featuring Jon Bellion and Fireboy DML) | 2023 | — | Non-album singles |

### Guest appearances

List of singles, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| "Liar" (Justin Timberlake featuring Fireboy DML) | 2024 | — | Everything I Thought It Was |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award ceremony | Prize | Recipient | Result |
| 2019 | The Headies | Next Rated | Himself | Nominated |
| 2019 | The Headies | Viewer's Choice | Himself | Nominated |
| 2019 | The Headies | Song of the Year | "Jealous" | Nominated |
| 2019 | City People Music Awards | Most Promising Act of the Year | Himself | Won |
| 2019 | City People Music Awards | Best New Act of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2019 | City People Music Awards | Revelation of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2020 | Soundcity MVP Awards Festival | Song of the Year | "Jealous" | Nominated |
| 2020 | Soundcity MVP Awards Festival | Listeners' Choice | Fireboy DML for "Jealous" | Won |
| 2020 | Soundcity MVP Awards Festival | Best New MVP | Himself | Nominated |
| 2020 | Mobo Award | Best African Act | Himself | Nominated |
| 2020 | The Headies | Album of the Year | Apollo | Won |
| 2020 | The Headies | Best Pop Album | Apollo | Won |
| 2020 | The Headies | Best R&B Album | "Tears, Laughter and Goosebumps" | Won |
| 2020 | The Headies | Best R&B Single | "Tattoo" | Won |
| 2020 | The Headies | Headies Revelation | Fireboy DML | Won |
| 2021 | African Entertainment Awards USA | Song of the Year | "Peru" | Nominated |
| 2021 | All Africa Music Awards | African Fan's Favourite | Himself | Won |
| 2021 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding International Song | "Peru" | Nominated |
| 2021 | The Future Awards Africa | Prize for Music (Endowed by Infinix) | Himself | Nominated |
| 2022 | The Headies | Best Songwriter of the Year | "Peru" | Nominated |
| 2022 | The Headies | Best Afrobeat Single (Nigeria) | "Peru" | Won |
| 2022 | The Headies | Song of the Year | "Peru" | Nominated |
| 2022 | The Headies | Viewer's Choice | Himself for "Peru" | Nominated |
| 2022 | Mobo Award | Best African Act | Himself | Nominated |
| 2022 | BET Awards | Best International Act | Himself | Nominated |