Nigerian Afrobeats star
Fireboy DML has been on a path to global success since the release of his debut album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, in 2019. His warm fusion of melodic Afro-pop, R&B, and even Caribbean tones continued to earn accolades on subsequent outings like 2020's
Apollo and 2021's "Peru," which became an international hit after its
Ed Sheeran-assisted remix went viral. "Peru" is of course among the 14 glowing tracks that comprise
Playboy,
DML's third full-length album. With American late-night television appearances and a Billboard Hot 100 hit under his belt,
Playboy effectively vaults the young singer into the global stage, and he responds with an appealing set that examines his own rising status. Stars like
Chris Brown,
Shenseea, and
Asake join him here and there, but for the most part, the collaborations are underplayed, leaving the spotlight where it belongs: on
DML's silky vocals and mellow grooves. ~ Timothy Monger