Renowned Nigerian music sensation Adedamola Adefolahan, widely known as Fireboy DML, expressed his perspective on the current state of the Afrobeats genre.
The ‘Peru’ hitmaker conveyed his belief that Afrobeats is predominantly characterized by “vibes,” highlighting the absence of lyrical substance and genuine emotional expression in the genre.
Fireboy emphasised the necessity to infuse Afrobeats with “pure soul and lyricism,” asserting that the music should delve deeper into emotions and personal experiences to resonate profoundly with listeners.
According to the singer-songwriter, the Afrobeats scene, prior to his emergence, was built on vibes, and he identified a crucial element missing in the musical landscape.
During the interview, Fireboy revealed that he has taken it upon himself to introduce a new sub-genre within Afrobeats, which he has coined as “Afro-Life.”
This innovative sub-genre is characterised by profound lyricism and soulful melodies, bringing a new depth to the musical genre.
“The Afrobeats scene before I came in was built on vibes. But I realized that there was something lacking, and that was pure soul and lyricism in our music,” explained Fireboy.
“That was what I brought into the game. That’s why I call it Afro-Life — it’s Afrobeats that has some depth to it.”
Fireboy’s vision for Afro-Life aims to create music that not only entertains but also connects with listeners on a more profound level.
The artist’s initiative to redefine Afrobeats by infusing it with meaningful lyrics and soulful melodies marks a significant step towards the evolution of the genre.
Music enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the impact of Fireboy DML’s Afro-Life on the future of Afrobeats.