FIREBOY DML VS REMA: Who is the Next Big Thing?

One of the big questions to ask music lovers in Nigeria now is “Who is the next big thing?” between one of the two fast-rising talents in Nigeria today: Fireboy DML of YBNL record label and Rema of Mavins record label. Their songs, ‘Jealous’ and ‘Dumebi’ respectively are one of the anthems you would hear anywhere you go in the four cardinal points of the country.

The Nigerian music industry is definitely growing by the day as number of talented young folks are coming into the music scene. It is therefore great to see the likes of Fireboy and Rema making waves in an industry that already had famous names such as Wizkid, Davido, Burnaboy, Phyno, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, and so on.

Fireboy 23, and Rema 18, were both introduced into the Nigerian music scene as they were both signed in 2018 by Olamide’s YBNL and Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records. Here’s what you need to know about the two talented artistes:

Who is Fireboy?

Fireboy DML is a fast-rising singer and songwriter. His real name is Adedamola Adefolahan and was born on the 5^th of February 1996. He hails from Abeokuta in Ogun state. The talented singer also studied English Language at Obafemi Awolowo University.

Fireboy ‘started singing in church at a very young age’ just like several other Nigerian musicians. This was to prepare him for the outside world. Fireboy is very fluent both in English and Yoruba languages which he uses in his music – a fusion of Afro-pop, Pop and RnB.

He caught the attention of YBNL record label boss, Olamide who signed him in October 2018 after a thrilling performance. Olamide approached him and told him he believed in his talent. Fireboy has gone on to record a number of songs which include the hit song ‘Jealous’, ‘What If I Say’, and others such as ‘King’, ‘Star’, ‘Ajoke’, ‘Give me love’, ‘Don’t Say So’, ‘I’ll be fine’, ‘G-string’, and the recent song titled ‘You’.

Who is Rema?

Rema is a fast-rising Nigerian hip hop rapper, singer, songwriter, stage performer, recording artist and model. His real name is Divine Ikubor and hails from Benin city in Edo state. The gifted, skillful, creative, and talented singer was born in 2001. He was born into a Christian family and attended local churches and schools where he was able to horn his skills. He completed both his primary and secondary education and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate and West African Senior School Certificate.

Rema created his own live band while in school and was able to groom other children while in church. He was later discovered by D’Prince, the immediate brother to Nigeria’s finest record label owner and record producer Don Jazzy. He is signed to Jonzing World Record which is an affiliate of Mavin Records owned by D’Prince and Don Jazzy respectively.

Rema has went on to record several songs with the record label among which include ‘Iron man’ (debut song), ‘Corny’, ‘Spiderman’, ‘American Love’, ‘Dumebi’, ‘All is in order’ ft. Mavin crew, ‘Ogologomma’, and so on. Asides having his debut song included in Barack Obama’s summer playlist of 2019, he also had ‘Dumebi’ which is unarguably his biggest song till date topping the iTunes charts in Nigeria.

Who is the next big thing?

Recall in 2015, there was a heated showdown between YBNL boss and Mavin Records boss Don Jazzy after Mavin’s act; Reekado Banks won the ‘Next rated award’ at the 2015 Headies Award. Olamide felt Lil-Kesh who was then signed to his record label deserved to go home with the award because of his ‘hit-after-hit’.

It was truly a fierce battle between the duo back then. Although both are no longer in the wavelength as they’ve started their musical career, the attention now turns to Fireboy and Rema who are also signed to YBNL and Mavins as in the case of Lil Kesh and Reekado Banks then.

The question now is not who will win the next rated, but ‘who will have a glittering and blossoming career’. The duo is both talented individuals who are set for bigger things. Their predecessors such as Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy have made big statements in the international scene but there are signs Rema and Fireboy will do better. Fireboy’s hits ‘Jealous’ and ‘What If I Say’ are topping charts.

Rema on the other hand is already having international recognition as his song ‘Iron Man’ made President Barrack Obama’s 2019 summer playlist while ‘Dumebi’ is still topping the iTunes charts in Nigeria. Who knows what   these talented artistes have in stock for the coming years?

I thereby interviewed some music lovers on ‘who they think would do better’ between the duo. This is what they had to say:

If you have seen Rema’s freestyle, you’ll know he is such a talent. You can judge musicians through freestyle sometimes and not by hit. I think Rema still have more hits than Fireboy. I trust he would do better than Fireboy.

Az, Abuja

I think Fireboy is better. He seems like he’s going to be around for long. Though Rema is young and talented, he’ll definitely do better in R’n’B than Afrobeat.

Charlie, Abuja

I’m not a big fan of both artistes but I think Fireboy will have a better career. He has more content in my opinion.

Olamilekan, Ekiti

Both are talented young lads but I trust Rema to do better if he remains focused. He has laid the foundation already especially by the recognition of Barrack Obama. We just have to watch out for these superb talents disturbing our earlobes with good music.

Sandra, Lagos

It’s hard to choose who’s better. They are both good and how far they would go depend on consistency and record label. Nevertheless, I’ll pick Rema over Fireboy. Even Barrack Obama recently added his song to his playlist shows how far he’s gone.

M.I Adeshina, Ibadan

What makes Fireboy Thick?

When it comes to lyrics, Fireboy has got the ability to play on words while making it simple for music lovers to get along. Fellow artist and record label owner, Rudeboy said in a TV program how he missed on signing this awesome talent. ‘Jealous’ and ‘What If I Say’ really shows that the singer’s strength in his lyrical content. The future therefore looks bright for the bandana-tying songster.

What makes Rema thick?

When it comes to versatility, Rema comes out on top. He is a rapper, singer, songwriter, stage performer and recording artist. All this would make him thrive in a star-studded industry. With the arrays of skill at his disposal, Rema is sure to become the next big thing if he is consistent as he really has age on his side.

Fireboy surely has fire in him but Rema seems to be the fire itself. Let’s keep on enjoying and dancing to hits from these two talented artistes. Who knows if one of these bring home the Grammy?

Let’s have your view on this interesting topic in the comments section. Thanks for taking your time to read this piece.