VIDEO: ‘I almost sold rechargeable lamps under Lagos bridge,’ Fireboy DML opens up on struggles before fame

Nigerian singer and songwriter, Adedamola Adefolahan, popularly known as Fireboy DML, has shared details of his difficult past, revealing that he was close to selling rechargeable lamps under Ajah Bridge in Lagos before gaining recognition in the music industry.

The Afrobeats star made the revelation during a recent interview on the 90s Baby Show in London which was shared on Instagram on Saturday, where he spoke candidly about the struggles he faced before being signed by YBNL Nation, the record label founded by rapper and music executive Olamide.

According to Fireboy, the idea of selling rechargeable lamps came to him during a particularly challenging period in his life, and he had discussed the business with someone already operating under the bridge.

“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.

He added that, at the time, such a trade seemed more respectable than the menial jobs he was engaged in, some of which his parents were unaware of.

“To me, at the time, it was more dignified. At least, people will say you sell lamps. 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 stated.

In a surprising twist, Fireboy revealed that his signing to YBNL came through a simple WhatsApp message.

The turning point in his career came in 2018 when he was signed to YBNL Nation.

He soon rose to fame with the release of “Jealous”, a hit track featured on the label’s collaborative album YBNL Mafia Family.

Fireboy’s debut studio album, “Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps”, released in 2019, was met with widespread recognition and firmly established his place in the Nigerian music scene.

Watch the video below

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: ‘𝐈 𝐀𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞
𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞,’ 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐲 𝐃𝐌𝐋 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐔𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐞
Nigerian singer and songwriter, Adedamola Adefolahan, popularly known as Fireboy… pic.twitter.com/c6O1vjPvVj

— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) April 13, 2025