Ayo Maff Credits Fireboy DML Feature for Transforming His Career

 Emerging Nigerian artist Ayo Maff, born Ayomide Adeyemi, revealed in a May 28, 2025, interview on Beat FM Lagos that featuring Fireboy DML on his breakout single Dealer was a life-changing milestone.

The 21-year-old, who rose from Lagos’ Bariga suburb, said the collaboration, released in August 2024, propelled him from obscurity to mainstream success, earning him a nomination for Next Rated at the 2025 Headies Awards. The song, blending street-hop and Afrobeats, topped Apple Music Nigeria’s chart for three weeks and garnered 15 million streams.

Maff, signed to Black Panther Records, described meeting Fireboy, born Adedamola Adefolahan, as a surreal moment, facilitated by producer Masterkraft. Fireboy’s verse, recorded in one take, added emotional depth to Dealer, a track about hustle and ambition. Maff credited Fireboy’s mentorship, including advice on branding and stage presence, for his growth. The collaboration opened doors to performances at Afro Nation Portugal and a deal with Spotify’s RADAR Africa program, boosting his monthly listeners to 2 million.

Before Dealer, Maff struggled to gain traction, releasing freestyles on Instagram with little impact. The feature amplified his visibility, leading to his debut EP Maffian, released in April 2025, which included follow-up hit Are You There? He expressed gratitude to Fireboy, noting their ongoing friendship and plans for another collaboration. Fans have hailed Maff as a voice for Nigeria’s youth, though some critics argue his style leans heavily on Fireboy’s influence.