Adedamola
| Adedamola | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 29 August 2024 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 40:00 | |||
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| Fireboy DML chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Adedamola | ||||
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Adedamola (stylized in lowercase) is the eponymous fourth studio album by Nigerian singer and songwriter Fireboy DML. It was released on 29 August 2024 by YBNL Nation and Empire, and features guest appearances from artists Seun Kuti, Jon Batiste, Lagbaja, Lojay and disc jockey Spinall. The album featured production from Drexbeats, Magicsticks, Blaisebeatz, Lagbaja, Telz, Godomarr, Foreigngotem, WXLA, Nxrthmix, Spinall, Bassiqally, Jon Batiste, Southtag, Semzi, Pheelz, Eskeez and ID Cabasa. The album serves as a follow-up to Playboy (2022).
Background
[edit]Fireboy said that the reason for the name of the album was because, "Every single part of me went into this album. It's so personal and feels nostalgic, like a call to home. That's why it's titled Adedamola. I'm excited to share it with the world."[2]
On 30 August 2024, Adedamola was voted favorite new music release of the past week in a Billboard poll.[3]
Singles
[edit]The album's lead single "Yawa" was released on 22 June 2023. The song was produced by Magicsticks and Telz with a Blank Square Production-directed music video.[4] The second single "Obaa Sima" was released on 7 December 2023 and produced by Bassiqally, Nxrthmix, and Pheelz alongside "Outside" featuring Blaqbonez.[5] The third and final single off Adedamola, the Blaisebeatz-produced "Everyday", was released on 3 May 2024 with an accompanying lyric video.[6]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Afrocritik | 7.4/10[7] |
| NotJustOk | 8.7/10[8] |
| Pulse Nigeria | 8/10[9] |
| The Upper Entertainment | 10/10[10] |
Adeayo Adebiyi from Pulse Nigeria described Fireboy DML's Adedamola as a return to his romantic roots, showcasing his ability to craft genre-blending Afropop tracks. The album was praised for its emotional depth and reflects Fireboy's evolution as an artist while maintaining the essence that captured listeners' hearts in his debut album LTG. Adebiyi notes that Fireboy's romantic themes, combined with strong production and collaborations, make Adedamola a solid project. However, LTG still stands superior in terms of impact. He rated the album 8/10, describing it as a "victory".[9]
Hope Ibiale of Afrocritik praised Adedamola as "a versatile and meticulously crafted project that showcases Fireboy DML's vocal dexterity" while maintaining a cohesive narrative. She highlights the album's rich collaborations and blend of traditional and contemporary sounds. Despite some weaker tracks, she gives the album a rating of 7.4/10, reaffirming Fireboy's position as one of Africa's top artists.[7]
Ademoye Afeez of NotJustOk commended Adedamola for its authentic and cohesive blend of Fireboy DML's evolving personas, stating, "The singer has come full circle, returning to his roots and staying true to himself." He praised the album for its blend of personal growth and musical versatility, reflecting on Fireboy's journey from a "lover boy" to a more hardened artist. Afeez rated the album an 8.7/10, acknowledging its thematic depth and cohesive sound.[8]
Tomide Marv of Zikoko described Adedamola as Fireboy DML's most intimate album to date, noting that "He bares his skin on the cover art like 'Come feel me.'" Marv praises the album's blend of styles and its exploration of Fireboy's romantic and sexual nature, calling it "his most enjoyable since Apollo (2020)." He rated the album highly, suggesting that it has the potential to be one of the standout albums of 2024.[11]
Bomi Anifowose of The Upper Entertainment reflected on Fireboy DML's Adedamola as a pivotal redemption album. After facing criticism and a perceived decline in momentum following Playboy, Fireboy DML's latest release was described as a triumphant return to form. The album, named after Fireboy's first name, was said to showcase his growth and maturity, with a refined songwriting style and exceptional vocals. Anifowose highlighted the album's "world-class" production and emotional features, particularly praising the collaboration with Jon Batiste. The review lauded Adedamola for its soulful and heartfelt execution, awarding it 10/10.[10]
Olukorede Owoeye of Nigerian Entertainment Today praised Adedamola as a return to form for Fireboy DML, hailing it as one of the best albums of the year. He admired its blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and pop, noting that Fireboy delivered on his promise of a personal and nostalgic sonic journey. Owoeye described tracks like *Hell and Back*, *Wande’s Bop*, and *Change Your Life* as standout moments, stating, “This is the vulnerable lover boy skilled at expressing his innermost feelings. This is Adedamola.”[12]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Iseoluwa" | Adedamola Adefolahan |
| 3:18 |
| 2. | "Call Me" | Adedolapo Adefolahan |
| 2:47 |
| 3. | "Ecstasy" (featuring Seun Kuti) | Adefolahan | Bassiqally | 3:32 |
| 4. | "Hell and Back" | Adefolahan |
| 2:41 |
| 5. | "Letting Go" (featuring Lojay) |
| Godomarr | 2:35 |
| 6. | "Back n Forth" (featuring Lagbaja) |
|
| 3:32 |
| 7. | "Ready" (featuring Jon Batiste) |
|
| 3:14 |
| 8. | "Wande's Bop" (featuring Spinall) | Adefolahan |
| 2:43 |
| 9. | "Change Your Life" | Adefolahan |
| 3:17 |
| 10. | "Obaa Sima" | Adefolahan |
| 3:05 |
| 11. | "Need Me" |
|
| 2:32 |
| 12. | "Yawa" |
| 3:00 | |
| 13. | "Everyday" | Adefolahan |
| 2:45 |
| 14. | "Jon's Interlude" (featuring Jon Batiste) | Adefolahan | Jon Batiste | 1:51 |
| Total length: | 40:00 | |||
Personnel
[edit]- Adedamola "Fireboy DML" Adefolahan – vocals, executive producer
- Seun Kuti – vocals
- Bisade "Lagbaja" Ologunde – vocals, producer, songwriter
- Lekan "Lojay" Onifeso Jr. – vocals, songwriter
- Sodamola "Spinall" Desmond – vocals, producer, mixing engineer
- Jon Batiste – vocals, producer, piano
- Wande Esan – additional vocals
- Ayodele "Bassiqally" Agbabiaka O. – producer, additional vocals
- Adesewa Solagbade – additional vocals
- Susan Anike Akinpelu – additional vocals
- Temitope Olowookere – additional vocals
- Daniel Oyelami – talking drum
- Seun Abutu – saxophone
- Bassiqally – producer
- Adedolapo "Nxrth" Adefolahan – songwriter, producer, recording engineer
- Baby D – recording engineer
- Mike Seaberg – mixing engineer, mastering engineer
- Julius Olabiyi – trumpet
- Maurice Edefe – guitar
- Vid "ForeignGotEM" Vucenovic – producer
- South – producer
- Promise Adedayo Aroninuola – guitar
- Godomarr – producer
- David Oluwaferanmi Rotimi – recording engineer
- Adenola "Eskeez" Gabriel – producer
- Olumide "ID Cabasa" Ogunade – producer
- Marcel "Blaisebeatz" Akunwata – songwriter, producer
- Wxla – producer
- Banjo "Semzi" Kayode – producer
- Jesuyemi John – violin
- Phillip "Pheelz" Moses – producer
- Drexbeats – producer
- Olamide Adedeji – additional vocals, executive producer
- Ahmed "Asake" Ololade – additional vocals
- Oyebanjo "B.Banks" Bankole – additional vocals, recording engineer
- Kareem "Magicsticks" Temitayo – songwriter, producer, mixing engineer, mastering engineer
- Alli Odunayo – songwriter, producer
- Nicholas Calaveri – mixing engineer, engineer
- Femi Olawoyin – violin
- Saxbarrister – saxophone
- Hightone – producer
- Michael "Synx" Nwachukwu – mixing engineer, mastering engineer
- Olaitan Salaudeen — music, video plugger [13]
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 29 August 2024 |
References
[edit]- ^ Akhimien, Nosakhale (14 September 2024). "ALBUM REVIEW: In 'Adedamola' album, Fireboy DML delivers raw emotional artistry". Premium Times. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ Augoye, Jayne (28 August 2024). "Why I titled my fourth album 'Adedamola'- Fireboy DML". Premium Times. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ Iasimone, Ashley (2 September 2024). "Fans Choose Fireboy DML's Adedamola as This Week's Favorite New Music". Billboard. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ Anazia, Daniel (1 July 2023). "Fireboy comes through with Yawa". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ Bartee, Richardine (8 December 2023). "Stream Fireboy DML's new two-track EP 'Outside/Obaa Sima'". Grungecake. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ Li, Joyce (6 May 2024). "Fireboy DML Drops New Song "Everyday"". Hypebeast. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ a b Hope Ibiale (3 September 2024). ""Adedamola" Review: Fireboy DML Reinvents Himself With New Project". Afrocritik. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ a b Ademoye Afeez (30 August 2024). "Fireboy DML embraces his "Casanova with Roses" persona in 'Adedamola'". NotJustOk. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ a b Adeayo Adebiyi (2 September 2024). "Fireboy adorns the cloak of a romantic on 'adedamola' [Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
- ^ a b Bomi Anifowose (3 September 2024). "'Adedamola' Album Review: The Product of a Beautiful Soul". The Upper Entertainment. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ Marv, Tomide (29 August 2024). "Fireboy DML's Inspired Again. "adedamola" is a Stronger Return". Zikoko. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ Owoeye, Olukorede (29 August 2024). "Fireboy DML is whoever he says he is; A review of 'Adedamola'". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
- ^ Admin. "Fireboy DML's 4th Studio Album Adedamola: A Masterpiece of Growth and Reflection". ThisDay. Retrieved 27 September 2024.