Afrobeats took center stage in 2023’s global music scene.
Major award ceremonies, including the MTV Video Music Awards, introduced new categories recognizing the success of Afrobeats artists, notably elevating Adedamola ‘Fireboy DML’ Adefolahan. His collaboration with Jon Batiste and Jon Bellion further propelled him to the forefront.
In a festive December surprise, the 27-year-old artist dropped two singles on the same day: Obaa Sima (meaning a perfect woman in Twi, a variety of the Akan language spoken in southern and central Ghana) and Outside featuring Nigerian rapper Emeka ‘Blaqbonez’ Akumefule. Fireboy DML explains in an exclusive interview with FORBES AFRICA that the move was inspired by “the spirit of the season”.
Honored for his chart-topping single Peru, achieving Platinum status in the US. and two times’ Platinum in the UK with over 500 million streams, Fireboy DML also received accolades at the 2023 BRIT Awards and the 2023 BMI London Awards.
From his 2019 debut album Laughter, Tears, and Goosebumps to the recent Playboy, the English graduate from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Southwestern Nigeria highlights the evolution of his music, expressing that “each album represents different phases of my life and experiences”.
Collaborating with diverse artists, including Madonna, Fireboy DML emphasizes the universal nature of music. “Music is freedom — the creative process is the same, and talent is talent,” he opines.
Proud of the global recognition that Afrobeats is receiving, Fireboy DML declares, “This is our time.”
Beyond music, his social media presence with over 5 million Instagram followers, where he displays his style, is influenced by a belief that “an artist should always look the part”. He attended notable shows at New York Fashion Week and envisions a deeper involvement in 2024, emphasizing the synergy between music and fashion.
Recounting a significant moment, he shares performing alongside Ed Sheeran for 90,000 people at the Wembley Stadium in London.
For eager fans, Fireboy DML announces: “I will be releasing my fourth studio album.”