Apollo (stylized in all caps) is the second studio album by Nigerian singer and songwriter Fireboy DML. It was released on 20 August 2020 by YBNL Nation and distributed by Empire Distribution. The album featured guest appearances from Olamide, Wande Coal and D Smoke. Fireboy enlisted production from Pheelz, Type A, IamBeatz and P.Priime. The album is a follow-up to his debut, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps (2019).
Background In an interview with OkayAfrica, Fireboy DML said he took a break after the release of Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps (2019) to work on a follow-up project, which later became Apollo. He said that the COVID-19 lockdown period did not disrupt his work even though it prevented live performances. He also stated that the album’s title was drawn from the Greek god Apollo, which he said reflects how he views his artistic identity.
Singles The album's lead single "New York City Girl" was released on 22 June 2020 alongside a Clarence Peters-directed music video. The song was produced by Type A. The second single, "Eli" was released on 27 July 2020 and was produced by Pheelz. The third single, "Tattoo" was released just a week before the album's release on 12 August 2020 alongside its music video which was also directed by Peters. The song was produced by Type A. The Pheelz-produced track "Champion" featuring D Smoke was released as Apollo fourth single. Its accompanying music video was directed by TG Omori.
Critical reception
Apollo received positive reviews from critics. Motolani Alake of Pulse Nigeria described Apollo as "more sonically and topically diverse" than his debut, adding that "if Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps was his battle cry… Apollo is his victory parade", and called it "another solid body of work… not exceptional, but very good", rating it 7.6/10. Jerry Chiemeke of Afrocritik said that it "falls short" in production compared to Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps but "the penmanship can hardly be faulted", adding that calling it a "sophomore slump would be reaching", and rated it 6.8/10.
Dennis Ade Peter of The Native described Apollo as "a chance… to start properly building his mythos and legacy", noting its "diverse" but not "ground-breaking" production and added that, despite containing "filler material", Fireboy "overcom[es] the sophomore slump with relative ease". Emmanuel Esomnofu of NotJustOk wrote that Apollo "does not succumb to the slump associated with second albums", calling it "a quality tape” with strong songwriting and introspection, but noted that its "complications with track listing" and uneven transitions affect its structure. Ivie Ani of Pitchfork said Apollo was "easy, exciting, and earnest" with "soothing, feel-good music" built on "simplified songwriting" that "becomes unforgettable", rating it 8.3/10.
Accolades Apollo won Best Pop Album and Album of the Year at the fourteenth edition of the Headies.
Track listing
Personnel
Adedamola "Fireboy DML" Adefolahan - vocals, writer Daniel "D Smoke" Farris - vocals, writer Oluwatobi "Wande Coal" Ojosipe - vocals, writer Olamide Adedeji - vocals, writer, executive producer, A&R Phillip "Pheelz" Moses - producer, mixing engineer, mastering engineer Talabi "IamBeatz" Abraham - producer Peace "P.Priime" Oredope - producer Kelenna "Type A" Agada - producer Temitayo "Tee-Y Mix" Ibitoye - mixing engineer, mastering engineer Stephen "STG" Abenga - mixing engineer, mastering engineer Niyi Okeowo - photography and creative design
Charts + Chart performance for Apollo Chart (2022–23) Peakposition US World Albums (Billboard) 14
Release history +Release history and formats for Apollo Region Date Format Label Worldwide 20 August 2020 11 June 2021 CD 19 July 2022
References