interview by MARIE-PAULINE CESARI

Leading Nigerian artist, award-winning singer-songwriter and fashion icon, Fireboy DML, released his newest self-titled album ‘adedamola’ this Summer, an album he describes as personal, nostalgic, a call to home, and a reassurance of identity.

full look RHUDE
jewellery Talent’s Own

For readers who might not be familiar with you yet, how would you describe Fireboy DML in your own words? What do you want them to know about you and your music?

Fireboy DML is a poet at heart, a dreamer. I have a calm and sensual personality and it reflects in my music. My music can be sensual, soulful and energetic, but it is very African. That identity is what I like to always stick to listeners when they play my music.

Can you tell us who your biggest musical inspirations were when you were starting out, and how they influenced your sound?

Growing up in a very average, very liberal family, I was exposed to varying genres of music, but the few that stuck with me were the old R&B and Soul I would hear on late night radio. Singing along to music like that made me realize I could really sing. Starting out, 3 artists shaped my sound. Jon Bellion, Passenger and Wande Coal. They all share an incredible love and dedication to just the art of music itself and nothing else. They also made me realize the importance of honesty and soul in songwriting. Well, I have always thought that honesty is the soul of songwriting.

Your breakout song “Jealous” set the tone for your career. Looking back, what was the inspiration behind that track, and did you anticipate it would resonate so deeply with fans?

“Jealous” was inspired by a toxic situationship I’d found myself in. I was feeling possessive over someone who didn’t really belong to me. I like to think that being a songwriter has made me a student of sociology. I study people and know how they think, so I know that if I have experienced something, someone somewhere has definitely experienced the same. Jealousy is an emotion we all share, so I knew a lot of people would relate to it.

Your journey from “Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps” to your latest album “adedamola” shows incredible growth. How has your creative process evolved over the years?

I like to think my albums are like memoirs of the different lives I have lived as an artist and a human being. They’re all so different, yet they are so me. I feel super grateful to be able to make music about my life as time goes and things happen. It's a blessing. I hope fans and listeners don’t see these things as changes. I'm still me, I'm just living different lives.

How does your latest album reflect where you are in life and as an artist right now?

For so long I battled with what kind of music I wanted to make on my fourth album, until I realized it’s time for me to make music that sounds like me. For the first time, I felt like I needed to reaffirm my identity, not just to everyone else out there but to myself. I wanted something personal and nostalgic, and African. And that’s what this album is. This album is a call to home, a reassurance of identity. I made this album with love and peace in my heart, and that’s where I still am. Right now, I'm in a place of contentment and gratitude. I'm not forcing anything on the universe, I'm not complaining, I'm not asking, I'm just grateful. I know what I have, I know who I am, and right now, that is enough for me.

full look JUNYA WATANABE
glasses and rings CHRIS HABANA

You’ve had some huge collaborations, including with Ed Sheeran on “Peru” and Justin Timberlake on “Liar.” What’s the most memorable thing you’ve learned from working with such global artists?

The most memorable thing I've learned from working with such global artists is the magic of good music and how it has no barriers at all. As long as the sound and moment is right, anything can happen. Through collaboration, I've learned the importance of building relationships that will last beyond music and entertainment.

You’ve performed at massive festivals like Coachella and worked with top producers like SPINALL. How do you prepare mentally and creatively for such huge stages?

Honestly, I don’t put too much thought into it, I just dive right in. Way before I got here, I'd mentally prepared myself for literally anything. Creatively, it can be exhausting, and that’s why I have a team of brilliant individuals who care about me and my craft, and help bring my ideas to life. I wouldn’t be anywhere without them.

full look BOTTEGA VENETA
glasses CHRIS HABANA

You’ve also gained attention for your fashion sense, attending major shows during Fashion Week. How do you see fashion intersecting with your music, and how does it allow you to express yourself?

Fashion is easy to fall in love with, and as an industry that is so intertwined with music, it’s bound to be something I'm keen on. Right now I'm just learning the industry of fashion, connecting with the right people and building the right networks. Eventually, these factors will reflect in my music. I express myself not just through music, but in my fashion. I do most of my shopping myself because I like to put looks together in my head as I shop. I like to think my fashion has a sensual, laidback feel to it, just like my music and personality.

As someone who has achieved so much at a young age, what drives you to keep pushing boundaries, and what legacy do you hope to leave behind in both music and fashion?

I like to keep myself grounded, and I do that by spending quality time with the people who truly know and love me, people who can quickly call me out on my BS, and that includes me too. I love me some me time. The pure love and passion I have for music also keeps me going when all else fails.

I want to be remembered for making beautiful African music. I want to be remembered for being a fashionista in my own way. And above all, I want to be remembered for being a good human being.

TEAM CREDITS:
talent FIREBOY DML
photographer/creative director ELLIOT HENSFORD
creative director TJ SAW
stylist MICHAEL PHILOUZE
Set designer MAISIE SATLER
lighting tech SIVAN MILLER
makeup GENE SOTO
styling assistant MYRON HERNANDEZ
producer AMNA ALI
video JAKUB LIBICKI
editor TIMI LETONJA
interview MARIE-PAULINE CESARI
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN

IN CONVERSATION WITH FIREBOY DML

IN CONVERSATION WITH GAVIN LEATHERWOOD

IN CONVERSATION WITH HENRY MOODIE