In his latest self-titled album, Fireboy DML brings together a powerhouse of Nigerian music legends, including the iconic Lagbaja, Grammy-nominated Afrobeat sensation Seun Kuti, Grammy winner Jon Baptiste, and hitmaker Lojay. In a recent interview with Apple Music Africa Now, Fireboy delved into the intriguing details of working with these musical giants, particularly the enigmatic Lagbaja.
Fireboy shared a unique and memorable moment from the recording session for their collaboration, “Back & Forth.” Despite the close quarters of the studio, the renowned Lagbaja never removed his signature mask. This left Fireboy in the curious position of working with a figure shrouded in mystery. “I did not get to see his face,” Fireboy confessed. “It was crazy. I had a few interesting thoughts; I wanted to ask him if I could see his face! But you know, all that matters is that we made the music.”
For Fireboy, this collaboration was not just a creative endeavor but a nod to the nostalgic themes of his album. “That’s a special record, right there,” he said. “It means a lot to me getting a legend like Lagbaja on that record, in the time that we are in now. One major theme around the album is nostalgia—there’s this nostalgic feeling when you listen to the album, so it’s only right that I employed my legends in the game to help me push this message.”
The album also features a collaboration with Seun Kuti, which Fireboy attributes to the insight of YBNL label boss Olamide. “Big shout out to Olamide, one of the A&Rs on the album,” Fireboy said. “When we worked on the song together in the studio, he advised me, ‘I hear Seun Kuti on this,’ and it just clicked.” He described Seun Kuti as “a very cool guy, amazing person, very funny, down to earth, and really hilarious.”
In a heartfelt tribute to the legends who have influenced African music, Fireboy named a track after the seminal Afropop star Wande Coal. Reflecting on the creative process, Fireboy revealed, “I recorded that in 2021 in SPINALL’s studio in Lagos. It just made a lot of sense to release it now. The beat immediately took me back to 2015-2016, when I was listening to Wande Coal. It’s sort of like a tribute to him; I respect him so much.”
With this album, Fireboy not only pays homage to the trailblazers of African music but also celebrates his own growth as an artist. “This whole album is more like a tribute to all the legends that shaped African music over the years, and also a testament to myself, of course, and my growth over the years,” he concluded.
Through these collaborations and tributes, Fireboy’s album stands as both a celebration of African music history and a reflection of his evolving artistry.
