From Lagos, Nigeria, singer Fireboy DML delivered reimagined takes of three of his Afro-life tunes to NPR for his or her newest Tiny Desk (House) live performance. With pristine vocals complemented by the stirring keys, clean trumpet, and delicate cymbals of his backing band the Vibe Kings, Fireboy upped the emotional ante of his already poignant tracks, “Like I Do,” “Tattoo,” and “Peru.” Ed Sheeran, 21 Savage, and Blxst have hopped on remixes of “Peru,” the rising act’s worldwide hit.
In December, Fireboy, born Adedamola Adefolahon, instructed Rolling Stone that he’s very specific about collaborations: “I don’t care how massive an artist is. If there’s no connection, if there’s no vibe, if there’s no vitality; I’m not down for that,” he stated.
Taking musical cues from Sheeran, Afrobeats artist Wande Coal, English indie band Passenger, amongst others, Fireboy DML dubbed his genre-fusing strategy Afro-life. In February, he introduced it to the States for his first U.S. tour, wrapping in Seattle final week. At present, Madonna dropped the second remix of her resurgent 1998 tune “Frozen” that includes new verses from Fireboy.
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