Nigerian Afrobeats star Adedamola Adefolahan also known as Fireboy DML has opened up about the culture shock he experienced when he first relocated to Lagos in 2016, to pursue his dream of becoming a professional musician.
The ‘Vibration’ crooner revealed that his early days in the city were frightening, claiming that he witnessed someone “run mad”, saw dead bodies on the streets and encountered people he believed were cultists.
Fireboy shared the experience during a recent livestream while reflecting on his transition from his hometown to Lagos and the challenges he faced while trying to establish himself in the music industry.
According to the singer, his first experience of Lagos was particularly overwhelming because he was unfamiliar with the city’s environment and the appearance and behaviour of some of the people he encountered.
He recalled arriving in Surulere in 2016 and being frightened by what he saw around him.
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“I was so scared the first time I came to Lagos in 2016, in Surulere. People’s eyes were so red, and they looked scary,” he said.
Fireboy added that within two weeks of arriving in Lagos, he had witnessed scenes that left a lasting impression on him.
“In two weeks, I saw someone run mad, dead bodies and cultists. Now, I also look like those scary people,” he said.
The singer’s comments have sparked reactions online, with many Nigerians relating to the culture shock that can accompany moving to Lagos, particularly for people coming from smaller cities or towns.
For Fireboy, however, the frightening experiences did not stop him from pursuing his ambition.
Rather than returning home, he gradually adapted to life in Lagos while continuing to work towards his music career.
His decision eventually paid off as he went on to become one of the notable voices in Nigeria’s Afrobeats movement.
