Apollo (stylized in all caps) is the second studio album by Nigerian singer and songwriter Fireboy DML. It was released on 20 August 2020 in Nigeria and 19 August 2020 in America by YBNL Nation and distributed by Empire Distribution. The album featured guest appearances from Olamide, Wande Coal and D Smoke. Fireboy enlisted production from Pheelz, Type A, IamBeatz and P.Priime. The album is a follow-up to his debut, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps (2019).
| Apollo | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 20 August 2020 (Nigeria) 19 August 2020 (United States) | |||
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| Length | 48:00 | |||
| Language | ||||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | ||||
| Fireboy DML chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Apollo | ||||
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Background
editIn an interview with OkayAfrica, Fireboy DML shared some insightful details about the creation of Apollo. He mentioned that the COVID-19 lockdown didn't negatively impact his creative process. In fact, he stated, "It helped me be more productive, speeding my recording process. Apart from being unable to perform, it's been fun as I'm typically an introvert."
Fireboy explained that after the release of Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, he took a hiatus to focus on his next project, eventually leading to Apollo. Unlike his debut album, which was more spontaneous, Apollo reflected a more deliberate and introspective phase in his career. Fireboy described his mindset during the creation of Apollo as being in "god-mode," referencing the album's title, which is named after the Greek god of music and poetry. He said, "Apollo is a Greek god of music and poetry, which summarizes my persona and how I perceive myself."[1]
Singles
editThe album's lead single "New York City Girl" was released on 22 June 2020 alongside a Clarence Peters-directed music video. The song was produced by Type A.[2] The second single, "Eli" was released on 27 July 2020 and was produced by Pheelz.[3] The third single, "Tattoo" was released just a week before the album's release on 12 August 2020 alongside its music video which was also directed by Peters. The song was produced by Type A.[4] The Pheelz-produced "Friday Feeling" was released as the fourth single on 18 September 2020 alongside its music video directed by Director K.[5] The fifth single "Spell" features Wande Coal was produced by Type A and was released on 17 December 2020 with a music video directed by Clarence Peters.[6] The Pheelz-produced track "Champion" features D Smoke and was released as Apolloʼs sixth single on 3 March 2021 with a TG Omori-directed video.[7] The seventh single "Lifestyle" was released on 20 May 2021, produced by IamBeatz, and directed by Clarence Peters.[8] The eighth and final single "Airplane Mode" was released on 9 June 2021, produced by Type A and directed by Clarence Peters.[9]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Pulse Nigeria | 7.6/10[10] |
| Afrocritik | 6.8/10[11] |
Apollo received positive reviews from critics. Motolani Alake from Pulse Nigeria described Apollo as a significant step in Fireboy DML's growth, calling it more sonically and topically diverse than Laughter, Tears, and Goosebumps. He praises the album as a victory parade for Fireboy, stating, "If Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps was his battle cry to get noticed, Apollo is his victory parade." The review highlights Fireboy's increased confidence and evolving sound. He ranked it a 7.6/10.[10]
Jerry Chiemeke of Afrocritik praised Apollo for its strong storytelling but noted that the production "falls short" compared to Fireboy DML's debut. While it doesn't surpass Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, Fireboy's penmanship remains impressive, avoiding a sophomore slump. He rated the album 6.8/10.[11]
The Native's review of Apollo highlights the album's boldness, describing it as "a chance for him to start properly building his mythos and legacy." The album follows the celebrated Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps and continues to showcase Fireboy's ability to blend Afropop with singer-songwriter sensibilities. While some tracks like "Tattoo" and "Spell" are praised, the album's length and occasional lyrical shortcomings are noted. No specific rating was given, but the overall tone acknowledges Fireboy's ambition and growth.[12]
Emmanuel Esomnofu, writing for NotJustOk, praises Fireboy DML's Apollo as a strong sophomore effort, though it faces some issues with track listing and transitions. The album showcases Fireboy's songwriting prowess and introspective themes, while pushing his sound in new directions. Esomnofu notes, "Fireboy DML doesn't succumb to the slump associated with second albums" and views Apollo as a testament to his timeless potential.[13]
Ivie Ani, writing for Pitchfork, describes Fireboy DML's Apollo as a smooth blend of R&B, Afrobeats, and pop, marking the peak of his "Afro-life" sound. The album is "easy, exciting, and earnest," offering soothing, feel-good music despite occasional lyrical simplicity. Fireboy excels at capturing everyday life and romance, creating "quiet after the storm" vibes rather than overtly grand statements.[14]
Accolades
editApollo won Best Pop Album and Album of the Year at the fourteenth edition of the Headies.
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Champion" (featuring D Smoke) | Pheelz | 2:59 | |
| 2. | "Spell" (featuring Wande Coal) |
| Pheelz | 2:53 |
| 3. | "Eli" | Adefolahan | Pheelz | 2:52 |
| 4. | "Tattoo" | Adefolahan | Type A | 2:56 |
| 5. | "Favourite Song" | Adefolahan | Pheelz | 2:33 |
| 6. | "New York City Girl" | Adefolahan | Type A | 2:20 |
| 7. | "Lifestyle" | Adefolahan | IamBeatz | 2:32 |
| 8. | "Airplane Mode" | Adefolahan | Type A | 2:57 |
| 9. | "24" (interlude) | Adefolahan | Pheelz | 1:21 |
| 10. | "Dreamer" | Adefolahan | Pheelz | 3:00 |
| 11. | "Afar" (featuring Olamide) |
| IamBeatz | 2:51 |
| 12. | "Go Away" | Adefolahan | Type A | 3:29 |
| 13. | "Shadé" | Adefolahan | Type A | 3:29 |
| 14. | "Friday Feeling" | Adefolahan | Pheelz | 2:36 |
| 15. | "God Only Knows" | Adefolahan | Pheelz | 3:11 |
| 16. | "Sound" | Adefolahan | Pheelz | 3:27 |
| 17. | "Remember Me" | Adefolahan | Pheelz | 2:51 |
| Total length: | 48:00 | |||
Personnel
edit- Adedamola "Fireboy DML" Adefolahan - vocals, writer
- Daniel "D Smoke" Farris - vocals, writer
- Oluwatobi "Wande Coal" Ojosipe - vocals, writer
- Olamide Adedeji - vocals, writer, executive producer, A&R
- Phillip "Pheelz" Moses - producer, mixing engineer, mastering engineer
- Talabi "IamBeatz" Abraham - producer
- Peace "P.Priime" Oredope - producer
- Kelenna "Type A" Agada - producer
- Temitayo "Tee-Y Mix" Ibitoye - mixing engineer, mastering engineer
- Stephen "STG" Abenga - mixing engineer, mastering engineer
- Niyi Okeowo - photography and creative design
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 19 August 2020 | ||
| Nigeria | 20 August 2020 |
References
edit- ^ Louis, Tochi Praise (14 September 2020). "Interview: Fireboy DML Gets Deep & Personal with 'Apollo'". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ "Watch Fireboy's New Music Video for 'New York City Girl'". OkayAfrica. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ Johnson, Patrick (27 July 2020). "Rising Nigerian Artist Fireboy DML Releases New Song "ELI"". Hypebeast. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ "LISTEN TO FIREBOY DML'S SULTRY NEW SINGLE "TATTOO"". The Native. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "WATCH FIREBOY DML IN THE VIBRANT NEW VIDEO FOR "FRIDAY FEELING"". The Native. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ Bloom, Madison (17 December 2020). "Watch Fireboy DML and Wande Coal's New "Spell" Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Bloom, Madison (3 March 2021). "Fireboy DML and D Smoke Share New "Champion" Video: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Onabanjo, Adedamola (20 May 2021). "Watch The Persona Defining Video For Fireboy DML's 'Lifestyle'". Culture Custodian. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Dayo, Bernard (9 June 2021). "Fireboy DML muses on life's issues on visuals for 'Airplane Mode'". YNaija. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ a b Motolani Alake. "'Apollo' documents Fireboy's artistic and personal evolution [Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ a b Jerry Chiemeke. "FIREBOY DML STICKS TO FAMILIAR NARRATIVES ON SOPHOMORE ALBUM "APOLLO"". Afrocritik. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ "A 1-LISTEN REVIEW OF FIREBOY DML'S 'APOLLO'". The Native. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (21 August 2020). "Album Review: Fireboy DML's APOLLO: Does He Avoid The Sophomore Slump?". NotJustOk. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
- ^ Ani, Ivie (26 August 2020). "Fireboy DML: APOLLO Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 September 2024.