Afrobeats

Lagbaja didn’t allow me see his face during our recording session – Fireboy

todayAugust 29, 2024 5

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In an interview with Apple Music Africa Now, Fireboy talks about his new album and the experience of collaborating withĀ LagbajaĀ and Seun Kuti.

According to the award-winning star, he couldn’t see Lagbaja’s face as he wore his famous mask all through the recording session of their collaborationĀ ‘Back & Forth’. Fireboy also shared he wanted to collaborate withĀ legends in Nigerian musicĀ to add a touch of nostalgia and depth to the album.

“Thatā€™s a special record, right there. It means a lot to me getting a legend like Lagbaja on that record, in [the] time that we are in now. One major theme around the album is nostalgiaā€”thereā€™s this nostalgic feeling when you listen to the album, so itā€™s only right that I employed my legends in the game to help me push this message. Right from the very beginning, I knew this record was special, and I could not wait for everyone to listen to it.

You would not believe this: [Lagbaja] was masked up in the studio. It was crazyā€”I did not get to see his face. I had a few interesting thoughts; I wanted to ask him if I could see his face! But you know, all that matters is that we made the music. Thatā€™s what makes Lagbaja, Lagbaja. You know, ā€œLagbaja,ā€ where Iā€™m from, in the Yoruba language, means, “Mr. Nobody,” an anonymous person; so itā€™s only right that I do not get to see his face. Iā€™m glad he got to be on the recordā€”a special person, a special artist, a special record.”

On his collaboration with Seun Kuti, Fireboy credits the album A&R and YBNL label bossĀ OlamideĀ for suggesting him for the track while describing the Afrobeat star as an amazing and funny person.

“Big shout out to Olamide, one of the A&Rs on the album. When we worked on the song together in the studio, he advised me, ā€œI hear Seun Kuti on this,” and the moment he said that it just clicked. I just imagined him in one very dark room, spotlight on him, with the sax just blowing away, and it just made perfect sense to me. Heā€™s a very cool guy, Seun Kuti. Amazing person, very funny, down to earth, and really hilarious. He has a very colourful personality and it was fun making the record with him.”

On his fourth album, Fireboy named a song after the seminal Afropop star Wande Coal. He says the song and the album are a tribute to legends who have shaped African music over the years.

Written by: cosororadiouk

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