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Rolling Stone
  • 2/5/2024
Fireboy DML talks with Rolling Stone’s Delisa Shannon at the 2024 GRAMMYs.

Category

🎵
Music
Transcript
00:00 So tonight is a big night for African artists.
00:04 We are here and we're going to be celebrating.
00:06 You've already been celebrating from what I've been seeing online.
00:09 Yeah.
00:09 But what does it feel like to be in this moment
00:12 and to be a part of such a historic time and a historic moment for African artists?
00:17 It's surreal, to be honest.
00:18 This is what we've always been working for.
00:20 It feels good to be recognized by institutions like this.
00:24 It only emphasizes how hard we've been working,
00:27 how far we've come as a continent, as a genre.
00:30 It feels good.
00:31 And I'm just really glad and honored to be here supporting my brothers and sisters.
00:36 So whoever wins is a big win.
00:38 We're going to be partying tonight.
00:40 It's going to be crazy.
00:41 No, I'm actually terrified for how hard we're about to go tonight.
00:44 It's going to be loud.
00:45 Yeah.
00:46 Well, to your point, it's not just--
00:48 I mean, what I really love about this--
00:51 what I really love about the nominees is that it spans across the entire diaspora.
00:57 So I want to know about some artists that you've been listening to
01:00 that you want to put me onto.
01:01 What are those pockets that you don't think that I know yet?
01:04 Because I need to know.
01:06 I mean, right now, the Nigerian music scene is pretty--
01:10 it's getting really wider now.
01:12 And there's been some new street artists coming up
01:15 that have this refreshing sound to them.
01:18 I can't really mention them, but you should dig deep into, like,
01:22 Niger Afro beats, like the real trenches Afro beats,
01:25 like we call them back home.
01:27 So yeah.
01:27 OK, so I need to go to the trenches.
01:29 The voice of the streets.
01:30 You need to, like-- yeah, really dig into it.
01:32 OK, I think names like Bad Boy OML.
01:36 We have names like Shalipopi, Odumodu Black,
01:39 people like that, representing the streets, speaking for the streets.
01:43 And I think that's really refreshing.
01:45 OK, so I'm going to go to the trenches,
01:46 and I'm going to search everybody that you just told me to,
01:48 and I'm going to be the one to put everybody on.
01:50 Yes, sir.
01:50 So thank you so much for giving me that torch.
01:54 Now, I've been checking online, and your fans are waiting
01:58 unpatiently for you to release your album, right?
02:02 Yeah.
02:03 What are you bringing into this new music,
02:05 and when are we getting it?
02:07 Well, I'm finishing up the album here in LA.
02:10 I got the crib with the pool and the beautiful view, amazing people.
02:14 I just really want to experience the beauty of Los Angeles,
02:18 and really, like, wrap up the album.
02:19 So the album is going to drop this year for sure,
02:22 and I'm excited for it because it's been a long time coming.
02:25 Yeah, I learned a lot last year, which has put me in the right perspective
02:30 to actually make something really cohesive,
02:32 and at the same time entertaining for my people.
02:34 So yeah, it's going to be bonkers.
02:36 What did you learn that made you think that you wanted to create an album
02:39 that had a very thematic storyline, and that you were excited to present
02:43 in the way that you're--it sounds like you're ready to present this year.
02:46 I mean, I think last year has really taught me the importance
02:48 of focusing on the things that matter.
02:50 You know, when you get successful and, you know, get the glamor
02:54 and the glitz of it all, it has a way of making you almost lose sight
02:59 of the things that are really important, and last year was a really long
03:03 learning process for me, and I took all that lesson,
03:06 and yeah, it's going to reflect in my album.
03:08 I'm really excited for that.
03:11 So what's important to Fireboy right now?
03:13 Right now, family, you know, personal health,
03:18 understanding that there's success and then there's success.
03:21 I think success is really personal.
03:23 I think once you look inward and realize that, oh, I'm doing exactly
03:26 what I want to do, and I'm doing quite good at it,
03:29 I think that's success to me, and yeah.
03:32 Well, I'm ready for you to see all the benefits of that success in this 2024,
03:37 so thank you so much. Good luck. Have fun tonight.
03:40 I hope I see you. I hope I'm in the right spot.
03:42 I mean, if Asha K and Olamide win the Grammy,
03:45 I'm going to be the loudest in the room.
03:47 I will be-- don't worry. You will see me.
03:51 I know. I will see you, and if I don't, I'm in the wrong place.
03:54 Yeah.
03:55 Perfect. Well, thank you so much for having me.
03:57 That was so much fun.
03:58 (whooshing)