The Poetics of ‘Adedamola’

In his 2024 album, adedamola, Fireboy embarks on a journey back to his roots, reminding listeners that he has not lost the essence that first captured their hearts.

Written by Adeniyi Odukoya

Nov 3, 2024

Nigerian singer, Adedamola O. Adefolahan, known professionally as Fireboy DML. Photo illustration by Dami Mojid / THE REPUBLIC. Ref: JOHN JAY / FIREBOYDML IG.

‘Falala Falala
Make I dey Falala
Blessings, on blessings
Upon my life until dey see
Me for Valhalla’
— Fireboy in ‘iseoluwa’

These opening lines from ‘iseoluwa’, the song that introduces listeners to Fireboy’s self-titled album, adedamola, capture the gratified mind of the 28-year-old Afrobeats superstar who has come under fire for a poorly timed rebranding launched alongside his third album, Playboy. Despite criticism of the album for various shortcomings, Playboy remains Fireboy’s most commercially successful work to date.

Unable to sustain the momentum from Playboy’s release, rumours lingered with the most unsettling being the widespread belief that Fireboy could no longer produce hits like he once did. Recent songs—‘Yawa’, ‘Oh My’, ‘Someone’, and ‘Obaa Sima’—have struggled to make an impact, falling short of the expectations for an artist of his stature. This misconception often plagues great artists. Because they set the bar so high, they eventually become victims of their own success.

Since releasing his debut album, Laughter, Tears, and Goosebumps, now regarded as an Afrobeats classic, Fireboy has demonstrated incredible artistry. He has produced delightful tracks, captivated admirers with his mesmerising sophomore, Apollo—arguably the most accomplished project from the new generation of Afrobeats musicians—and delivered a smashing hit with ‘Peru’. Fireboy described ‘Peru’ as one of those casual songs he created during a vacation in San Francisco, intending to unwind from the ceremonial demands of stardom.

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About the Author

Adeniyi Odukoya

is a Nigerian Poet, and Essayist. He has a B.A.Ed degree in English from the Obafemi Awolowo University. His works appear or are forthcoming in The Guardian UK, Lagos Review, National Museum of Language Maryland, USA, Palette Poetry, and others.

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The Poetics of ‘Adedamola’

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