Nigerian music star Fireboy DML has shared how close he came to giving up on music before Olamide signed him to YBNL Nation in 2018.
Fireboy, whose real name is Adedamola Adefolahan, revealed in a recent interview on the 90s Baby Show in London that he once considered selling rechargeable lamps to survive.
“Thank God for that [Olamide signing me]. I was considering selling rechargeable lamps. I met one guy under Ajah Bridge, he was telling me about the business and I told him I was interested,” he said.
“To me, at the time, it was more dignified. At least people will call you a lamp seller, but selling pepper soup is crazy, bro. My parents didn’t know I was doing menial jobs. It was crazy but now, we thank God,” Fireboy added.
His life changed when popular rapper and YBNL Nation boss, Olamide, discovered his talent and signed him to the label in 2018. That same year, he gained public attention with the hit song Jealous, part of the YBNL Mafia Family album.
In 2019, Fireboy released his debut album Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps, which cemented his place in the Nigerian music industry.
Since then, he has become one of the leading voices in Afrobeats, known for hit songs like Peru, Vibration, and Tattoo. He has also worked with international stars like Ed Sheeran and Madonna.
Fireboy has often thanked Olamide for believing in him and giving him a platform to shine.
Olamide, on his part, once said Fireboy’s music and songwriting skills are beyond his age and were too good to ignore. Even though Olamide had earlier decided not to sign new artists, he made an exception for Fireboy.
Before joining YBNL, Fireboy said he turned down offers from other music labels, believing YBNL was the right place to grow.
