Adedamola Adefolahan, popularly known as Fireboy DML, is known for his lover boy sound and lyrics.
Last week, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the singer was collaborating with Lagbaja on the sixth song of his fourteen-track album, 'Back N Forth'.
The article marks Lagbaja’s return to the music scene after a 14-year hiatus. Fireboy shared that he would have liked to have had the chance to know Lagbaja’s true identity. The 64-year-old music legend has kept his identity anonymous since the beginning of his career.
Many Nigerians have been eagerly awaiting Back n Forth, a significant cultural and musical collaboration. It is a fascinating blend of Fireboy’s contemporary style reminiscent of Lagbaja’s “Never Far Away,” released in July 2005.
The release of the music video has established a different perspective and perception, highlighting love, public display of affection, indecision, denial and affirmations.
Fireboy DML Images in Back n Forth The Review
The song begins with an orchestra of musicians led by Lagbaja on the saxophone. This orchestra consists of violinists, trumpeters and saxophonists, men and women dressed as Lagbaja.
It brings a beautiful revival of Lagbaja’s “Never Far Away” in which Ego participated.
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Remember, in Never Far Away, the violin orchestra arrived in suits and corporate attire, but were immediately offered Yoruba attire: Iro and Buba for the ladies and Gbariye for the men.
In Fireboys Back and Forth a plot twist was introduced. The orchestras were already dressed and seated this time in attire modelled after Lagbaja's.
At second 29, Fireboy joins in singing: “Sometimes I know, sometimes I don’t know how to show it, But somewhere in your mind, I hope you know that I love every moment with you.”
VERSE 1
We found love in Ojuelegba ('Legba). Here, she tells us where they found love: Ojuelegba, a business premises in Lagos. She further sings about the quality of their love, which will stand the test of time: 'The kind of love we will remember ('Member) The kind of love you can't stop loving', she sparkled with beautiful memories.
He tells her to be gentle with him, 'Make you treat me tenderly' because he keeps her close to his heart like a pendant. 'Close to my heart like a pendant (Pendant)'.
Baby mo gbe ẹ sori Mo ni mo gbe ẹ sori (Sori) The Yoruba phrase “Baby mo gbe ẹ sori” translates to “Baby, I carried you on my head” in English, and the repetition “Mo ni mo gbe ẹ sori (Sori)” means “I said, I carried you on my head (On my head).” Figuratively, this expression can imply a deep level of affection or care, as “carrying someone on your head” in Yoruba culture symbolizes giving someone great importance or treating them with special attention.
Even though he has fears and worries, he recognizes that she is the spark of his day: “And even when I have doubts, even when I'm still in denial, oh, only you light my fire, oh, only you I want, oh, but sometimes” and then to the chorus after which Lagbaja's verse comes in.
VERSE 2
Lagbaja enters his verse with a unique representation of Never Far Away by reintroducing his single shoulder to the drum beat in the shoulder dance.
What else should I do to let you know how I feel about you?
Inside for you
Can you feel the love? Inside, inside
We're gonna keep going back and forth. “Let's keep going back and forth.”
“Soole” might be a colloquial expression that usually refers to a situation where someone is solid, firm, or staunch. However, its specific meaning can change depending on the context.
“Se temi, ma se ti ẹ” – “Do my thing, I’ll do yours” or “Take care of what’s mine, I’ll take care of yours”.
“Make we dey go” – “Let’s move forward”.
At the 48-minute mark, Fireboy reminds us that he still has that smooth, high-pitched falsetto when he delivers the lines, “I wanna show you, I wanna show you.”
The plot
He walks through a metro station while saying his lines softly. They dress as if they are going on a date; he meets her. They both hold hands and are not shy about showing their love for each other. They both head to a cinema. Shortly after they sit down, Lagbaja appears with his lines. They have dressed in English style, but soon they appear in the traditional gele, iro, buba and agbada. A part of the film presents them as if they are seeing how beautiful their love was and what it could become.
Configuration
The video, which moves from one side to the other, reproduces the aesthetics, costumes, language and plot in a contemporary way. The cinema, the orchestra, the Yoruba costumes and the dance of the lagbaja, to the rhythm of the drums, are beautiful aspects of it all. All the characters on the set were actors. It cost a lot of money and clever direction to put all this together.
Costumes
The appreciation of Yoruba African attire is beautiful. The blends of colours shine with every touch of light. It also reflects what Lagbaja had in Never Away. A crowd of spectators, dressed in different outfits of different colours blending together.
Conclusion
Lagbaja has a dual musical personality: that of the singer and that of the saxophonist. In Fireboys' “Back and forth”, the saxophonist appears more and the singer less. This understanding will help to establish a better perspective of the sound.
Verdict: 7/10
Watch the video