Our Song Of The Week!
YBNL’s continued excellence over the years has left its mark on the Nigerian music space. The label’s exploits have unearthed some of the country’s finest underground talents. Fireboy DML is one of those, and YBNL has carefully nurtured his skill since his breakout in 2019. Despite just 3 years in the game so far, the “What If I Say” crooner has put out 3 studio albums, with Playboy being his latest.
The album title gives some insight into what the project is about. In addition to being sonically pleasing, Fireboy’s music carries with it a fiery element that’s felt through sexually charged lyrics and embodied in his bad boy persona. After his light-hearted debut, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, the innocence of the “Jealous” singer has since worn off. At this point in his career, Fireboy seems to be settled in his superstardom, and as such there are no holds to his willingness to express his current reality.
He does so adequately on “Ashawo”. Fireboy highlights the depth of this superstardom and the fickle nature of human beings towards their sexual urges. He asks for mutual understanding for his infidelity toward the song’s target, not forgetting to blame the influence of alcohol over his decisions as well. The record places well on Playboy and serves as a significant track for tying Fireboy’s mind-state on the project together.
The singer’s effort since arriving on Nigeria’s mainstream pop culture scene has been immense. Playboy is the latest instalment of Fireboy’s rise, having been the first Nigerian to perform at the BET Awards mainstage. Alongside other talented acts, he is at the forefront of Afrobeats’ push for global dominance; and the 26-year-old’s story serves as a blazing trail for young and upcoming Nigerian musicians to follow.
