Champion

## Single by Fireboy DML and D Smoke

"**Champion**" is a song by Nigerian singer Fireboy DML and American rapper D Smoke, released as the opening track and fourth single from the former's second studio album, *Apollo* (2020). The track was used by Bayern Munich in 2020, when they won the UEFA Super Cup.

Fireboy DML said in an interview, "I needed to start [the album] with a deliberate song—a statement. Also felt the need to inspire other people out there looking to take this path that I'm on. There is nothing that can't be achieved if you have the mindset of a champion. I was in a very introspective mind space when I wrote the song so it just flowed out." He mentioned over Twitter, "Towards the end of the song though, I felt kinda emotional. If you listen closely, at 2:23 into the song, I sighed, heavily. I'm glad Pheelz didn't cut that part out..."

## Music video

The official music video was directed by TG Omori and shot in Nigeria. It premiered to YouTube on March 3, 2021, at 7:00 P.M., Naija time.

## Trivia and cultural references

* The word 'Ridimakulayo' is lingo used by Nigerian audio engineer and record producer, Phillip Kayode Moses, better known as Pheelz, which also appeared in Teni's "Billionaire".

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Verse 1: Fireboy DML]

I be king (I be king)

I'm the best my generation ever seen (Ever seen)

I came suddenly, I be like NEPA bill (NEPA bill)

And ever since, I never miss

I've been smashin', I've been killing everything (Everything)

From Ikeja to Ojuelegba Bridge ('Legba Bridge)

To the many places that I've never been (Never been)

Remember this

I'm a king

I'm a legend in the making

[Chorus: Fireboy DML]

I'm a champion

(Champion, champion)

(I'm a motherfucking champion)

Remember this (Remember this)

I'm a king

I'm a legend in the making, I'm a champion

(Champion, champion)

(I'm a motherfucking champion)

Remember this (Remember this)

I'm a king (I'm a king)

I'm a legend in the making, I'm a—

[Verse 2: D Smoke]

Super good, ayy

Ayy, I be finding silver lining where them others say

I need patience in due time and I'll be reclining by design

I've been grinding for my needs

Bought a whip to give my nephew

Put them diamonds on my niece, shinin'

So dope that I purchased eighty-eight keys

For mama to play a song and calm my ADHD

With this baby face fine, gyal, them rarely hate me

Give them bellyaches, love 'em waist deep

Every occasion, I put money in safe keep (Keep)

Very impatient, be on time when you pay me (Me)

Very invasive when they hatin' what they see (See)

Made me a nation, then they crown me a stale king (King)

Bell rings and then my hands are raised

MGM Grand to Mandalay

Envy him now while my victory has just begun (Yeah)

When you see me, just know you lookin' at a motherfucking champion

[Chorus: Fireboy DML]

(Champion, champion)

I'm a motherfucking champion

Remember this

I'm a king

I'm a legend in the making, I'm a champion

(Champion) Oh, champion

(I'm a motherfucking champion)

Remember this

I'm a king

I'm a legend in the making

[Bridge: Fireboy DML]

I'm the average boy from the average streets

With an empty pocket and a bag of dreams (Ah-ah)

Many things wey hin eyes don see (Ah-ah)

Many tears wey hin eyes don bleed (Ah-ah)

Through the rise and falls

I made it to the top

E no get anything wey you wan talk

[Outro: Fireboy DML]

Oh, I'm a champion

(Champion, champion)

(I'm a motherfucking champion)

I'm a king

And I'm a legend in the making, I'm a champion

(Champion, champion)

Oh, I'm a motherfucking champion

Remember this

I'm a legend in the making, I'm a—

(Ridimakulayo)

## References

1. ↑ Alake, Motolani (28 September 2020). "European champions, Bayern Munich uses Fireboy's 'Champion' to celebrate European Super Cup win". *Pulse Nigeria*.
2. ↑ Johnson, Patrick (September 7, 2020). "Fireboy DML Is Afro-Life's God of Light". *Hypebeast*.
3. ↑ "@fireboydml". *Twitter*. December 7, 2020.
4. ↑ Bloom, Madison (March 3, 2021). "Fireboy DML and D Smoke Share New “Champion” Video: Watch". *Pitchfork*.

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