Fireboy DML Talks Working With Madonna, Ed Sheeran, Nigerian Roots & More

Nigerian artist Fireboy DML, a rising star in the music industry, recently shared insights about his journey and artistic influences in an engaging interview. His unique blend of cultural roots and diverse musical genres has established him as a creative force with a promising future. Fireboy’s approach to music is deeply influenced by his Nigerian and Yoruba heritage, which is evident in the expressiveness of his delivery and the incorporation of Yoruba dialect in his songwriting. He believes in showcasing his identity in every track, saying, “At the end of the day, I’ll always be me and I will stay true to that in my sound.”

Fireboy’s recent debut at New York Fashion Week highlights another facet of his artistic expression. His passion for fashion complements his music, reflecting his belief in the importance of presentation and style. Collaborating with icons like Madonna, Chris Brown, and Ed Sheeran has been transformative for Fireboy, offering him invaluable experiences and insights. He recalled the making of the hit song “Peru,” which symbolizes his creative spontaneity and global appeal. The song, a product of excitement and a relaxed atmosphere, was completed in just 40 minutes.

His album “Playboy” is a testament to Fireboy’s evolving artistry, capturing the essence of his journey and successes. The album embodies a carefree and celebratory spirit, influenced by his experiences and achievements. Fireboy’s passion for poetry also plays a significant role in his songwriting, drawing inspiration from poets like Sir Walter Raleigh, Dan Brown, and Oscar Wilde. His first-ever US tour was a milestone, marked by standout moments and a deeper connection with his audience. Live performances, for Fireboy, are about sharing energy and enjoying the moment, contrasting with the focused creative process in the studio.

Looking ahead, Fireboy envisions a bright future, driven by continuous evolution and deeper explorations of his signature Afrobeats sound. His upcoming album promises to be a culmination of his experiences and growth, aimed at showing gratitude to his fans. In terms of fashion, Fireboy embraces versatility and challenges gender norms, believing in wearing what feels comfortable and confident. His unique style is another aspect of his creative expression, further distinguishing him as an artist.

Fireboy DML is not just a musician; he is a multifaceted artist with a deep connection to his roots and a commitment to authenticity. His journey so far has been marked by boundary-pushing music, significant collaborations, and a flair for fashion. As he continues to grow and evolve, Fireboy DML is set to leave an indelible mark on the global music scene, driven by his creative spirit and dedication to his art.

TEAM CREDITS
Production & Interview: Michael D. Monroe
Photography: Shirley Reynozo
Stylist: Star Burleigh
Stylist Assistants: Amber Rana + Ella Santomero
Retoucher: Keith B

Catch the full interview with Fireboy DML and Contrast’s Editor-in-Chief, Michael D. Monroe below.

How has your cultural background as a Nigerian influenced your artistry and sound? I make all types of music and I’m influenced by so many different genres like pop and R&B, but for me, I always like to bring in that Afrobeats identity to everything I do. I feel like it’s important for my fans and new listeners to get a sense of who I am and where I come from in every track that I make or jump on. At the end of the day, I’ll always be me and I will stay true to that in my sound.

My background as a Nigerian and as a Yoruba boy has guided my artistry and you can hear that in how expressive I am in my delivery. I like to emphasize that unique local dialect of Yoruba in the details of my songwriting. If people can’t tell exactly where I’m from in my music, the flair and vibe I carry will make them want to know where I’m from and learn more about it and my culture. That’s what I aim to do anyway. It’s one of many ways I’m trying to break boundaries.

You recently made your debut at New York Fashion Week. How has this experience been, and how does fashion influence you? Attending New York Fashion Week was an incredible experience for me. I’ve always loved fashion and experimenting with my look, so it’s been exciting to really have the opportunity to step into this industry and get to connect with cool brands and attend shows. I feel like fashion is such an important, key part of artistry and my style is very important to me. As an artist, I know that I have to be strategic in how I present myself, but it’s also fun for me! To have the freedom and ability to express my creativity in this way and to get to work with other creative minds like Michael Philouze is such a dream.

Collaborating with artists like Madonna, Chris Brown and Ed Sheeran is a remarkable achievement. Can you share some insights into what it was like working with them and how these collaborations came about? 

Collaboration has been such a blessing in my career. Working with big artists like Madonna, Chris Brown, and Ed Sheeran has changed my life. Madonna is of course such an icon that working with her was a surreal life experience and realization of how far I’ve come and what I’m capable of. Chris Brown has the swagger and it was amazing to learn from him as a performer. Ed Sheeran is just the best guy all around. The first time we met was at the Peru video shoot in New York. Before that, he had just sent me the verse to work with, and the way he killed it, I knew instantly that the hit I had was going to be taken to new heights. I really liked it, you know, and it was so exciting to then meet him in person and realize what an amazing personality he has as well, like in addition to being an incredible artist and songwriter.

Button-Down by Fried Rice

Button-Down by Fried Rice

Fireboy DML is wearing a button-down by Luu Dan, trousers by Luu Dan, coat by Orttu and boots by Florshei.

Fireboy DML is wearing a button-down by Luu Dan, trousers by Luu Dan, coat by Orttu and boots by Florshei.

Catch the full interview with Fireboy DML and Contrast’s Editor-in-Chief, Michael D. Monroe below.

How has your cultural background as a Nigerian influenced your artistry and sound? I make all types of music and I’m influenced by so many different genres like pop and R&B, but for me, I always like to bring in that Afrobeats identity to everything I do. I feel like it’s important for my fans and new listeners to get a sense of who I am and where I come from in every track that I make or jump on. At the end of the day, I’ll always be me and I will stay true to that in my sound.

My background as a Nigerian and as a Yoruba boy has guided my artistry and you can hear that in how expressive I am in my delivery. I like to emphasize that unique local dialect of Yoruba in the details of my songwriting. If people can’t tell exactly where I’m from in my music, the flair and vibe I carry will make them want to know where I’m from and learn more about it and my culture. That’s what I aim to do anyway. It’s one of many ways I’m trying to break boundaries.

You recently made your debut at New York Fashion Week. How has this experience been, and how does fashion influence you? Attending New York Fashion Week was an incredible experience for me. I’ve always loved fashion and experimenting with my look, so it’s been exciting to really have the opportunity to step into this industry and get to connect with cool brands and attend shows. I feel like fashion is such an important, key part of artistry and my style is very important to me. As an artist, I know that I have to be strategic in how I present myself, but it’s also fun for me! To have the freedom and ability to express my creativity in this way and to get to work with other creative minds like Michael Philouze is such a dream.

Collaborating with artists like Madonna, Chris Brown and Ed Sheeran is a remarkable achievement. Can you share some insights into what it was like working with them and how these collaborations came about? Collaboration has been such a blessing in my career. Working with big artists like Madonna, Chris Brown, and Ed Sheeran has changed my life. Madonna is of course such an icon that working with her was a surreal life experience and realization of how far I’ve come and what I’m capable of. Chris Brown has the swagger and it was amazing to learn from him as a performer. Ed Sheeran is just the best guy all around. The first time we met was at the Peru video shoot in New York. Before that, he had just sent me the verse to work with, and the way he killed it, I knew instantly that the hit I had was going to be taken to new heights. I really liked it, you know, and it was so exciting to then meet him in person and realize what an amazing personality he has as well, like in addition to being an incredible artist and songwriter.

“Peru” became a massive hit, especially with remixes featuring Ed Sheeran, 21 Savage, and Blxst. What inspired the song, and how do these collaborations impact your creative process?  I recorded Peru in San Francisco during my first trip to the United States. I flew in from Miami, as I said in the song, and I was so excited to be there with the Empire team and to have this experience in a new place surrounded by people who believe in me. That is basically where the song originated – that excitement and the uplifting atmosphere that was around me. We were just chilling and making music. The vibe was right, I stepped in the booth, and just started singing.

I didn’t allow myself to overthink, the melody and flow that followed was just magic. We recorded the whole song in like 40 minutes. Everyone in the studio instantly knew we had a hit. I’ll never forget it. It was crazy. Such a wonderful memory. The remixes and collaborations that followed were amazing too. To me, collaboration can be an incredible, inspiring, and beautiful experience, but I’m very particular about who I collaborate with. I’m not going to collaborate with an artist just for the sake of it. I don’t care who it is, I have to connect with them and genuinely like the project as well. If the vibes are there, the collaboration can be surprising and influence my creative process in a way that teaches me about myself and brings something new out of me. That’s what the best collaborations are supposed to be like.

You’ve been recognized as one of the biggest African stars in the game. What do you think sets you apart in the music industry? It’s truly amazing to see how far African music and Afrobeats has come in recent years. I’m proud to be a part of breaking boundaries for the genre and I love introducing people to this culture through my songs. I like to bring in other styles of music. I’m very multidimensional and I’m very observant of the details. I think those smooth transitions between sounds I’m influenced by are key to how I’ve built a fanbase around the world. My creativity as an artist and thinking of what that looks like on a global scale while keeping my own originality and Nigerian identity in mind as I make music for the masses is very important to me.

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your latest album “Playboy” and any memorable moments during its creation? I like to say that Playboy was an era. It was definitely a fun and free time for me and that’s clear in the music that came out of that era. I was inspired by reaching that point in my career in which I felt like I could just relax, live in the moment, and enjoy the success I had reached. I wanted to encapsulate that blissful, chill energy and that feeling of getting out of your head and basking in the accomplishments of the hard work by finally getting to just play… Play boy, you know? The creation of Peru and my first trip to the United States that I mentioned earlier is definitely the stand out moment from the creation of that album. It really set the tone in my mind for what’s to come for me and what I have to look forward to in my career if I just keep doing what I’m doing.

How do you incorporate your passion for poetry into your songwriting, and can you share any favorite poets or literary influences? To me, poetry and songwriting go hand and hand. They are one in the same just with an added melody and beat. I’ve been inspired by the work of Sir Walter Raleigh, Dan Brown and Oscar Wilde.

Fireboy DML is wearing a button-down by Luu Dan, trousers by Luu Dan, coat by Orttu and boots by Florshei.

You’ve recently completed your first-ever US tour. What were some standout moments from the tour, and how does performing live compare to studio recording for you? That was an unforgettable and fantastic experience for me. I grew immensely as a performer during that tour. To see how far I have come in my journey since my upbringing in Abeokuta, and to see how global Afrobeats is becoming, knowing that I’m a part of that movement, it’s a truly incomparable feeling. To see fans of different backgrounds, different races, from all around the world, come out to hear my songs and see me perform, there are no words to describe the gratitude I still feel for that time. When I’m on stage, another side of me comes out. I really live in the moment and I enjoy myself up there.

If I’m enjoying myself, my fans are enjoying themselves, and we’re connecting. The shared energy that exists between an audience and performer is a really special, irreplaceable thing and I love every minute of interacting with my fans in that way. When I’m in the studio, it’s a different vibe of course. I’m in the zone. I’m creating. Both times are important for an artist to indulge in though. When I’m in the studio, I’m focused on what I’m creating. When I’m on stage, I’m enjoying and celebrating what I created.

As an artist who stands out for your unique style and innovation, what do you see as the future of your music and your impact on the industry? My come up in the industry has been beautiful so far, and it’s only up from here. After a quiet year of just growth and experiences, I’ve been working on my next album. I needed some time to take it all in and I think that’s been necessary for my development as an artist as I figure out what this next chapter of Fireboy looks like. I always want to be evolving and taking it to the next level. I’ve absorbed all the life lessons from the past few years and I’m really pouring myself into my new music.

I am so excited about what I’ve been working on. I won’t say much, but I just know that my fans are going to absolutely love this album. I’m creating for them right now. I want to show them how appreciative I am of their support. I’m just really grateful. I’ll also be touring a lot next year so I’m looking forward to interacting with my fans and showing them love. This new era of Fireboy will bring great vibes and music for everyone. I know it will be huge for my future as a global superstar as I dive deeper into my signature Afrobeats sound and legacy. I want to bring the beauty of African culture and the beauty of Nigerian culture to every mainstage in the world through my music. I want to entertain and I also want to educate. That’s everything to me.

Your fashion sense has garnered attention for challenging gender norms. What message do you hope to convey through your fashion? I am fairly versatile when it comes to fashion in the sense that I’ll wear anything I feel comfortable in. It doesn’t matter to me if something “belongs” to a certain gender historically, I am a strong believer in wearing what you want. You’ll look good as long as you just give off that vibe that you’re confident in it. I like to experiment with clothes that make people take notice. As an artist, I see fashion as fun and an extension of my creativity. Sometimes I’ll go for a laid back, calm vibe but I like to step out in edgy looks that turn heads too. Explore with fashion, you know, why not? You can do so much with clothes, just be yourself and express yourself.

The definition of Contrast is “to be strikingly different.” What makes Fireboy DML strikingly different? I think one of my greatest strengths is to push boundaries by producing music that blurs genres with Afrobeats. I like to experiment, I like to learn, and I like to try different things for the experience, but the Fireboy that my fans know and love will always be there, standing out. I put my soul, identity, and roots into everything that I do and I’m very passionate about representing my heritage in what I create. I’ll always stay true to myself, that’s all that matters. Beyond the success, I always remember I’m only human at the end of the day. I just have a gift and I want to use my words and individuality to share art that other human beings can vibe with and relate to.