Pheelz and Fireboy DML’s synergy as producer-artist has been undeniably captivating as seen in their new Peace By Piece EP, to say the least. Since giving listeners a first taste of their chemistry on the evergreen record, Need You off Fireboy’s modern classic debut album Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps (LTG), the duo’s partnership has yielded fruitful musical offerings.
In fact, Fireboy was the highlight of Pheelz’s remarkable second act as a music producer. He produced seven songs on the LTG above, including the hit record Scatter, the deep cut High on Life, and the heartwarming What If I Say. He also produced ten songs on Fireboy’s critically acclaimed sophomore, Apollo, most notably the timeless deep cut Favourite Song and one of this writer’s personal favourites, Eli.
In 2022, Pheelz would become a superstar by way of his global smash hit record Finesse. Unsurprisingly, their collaboration would take a big hit as Pheelz went on to cement himself as a certified solo star. Fireboy’s Playboy didn’t feature any production from Pheelz, and he only co-produced Oba Simaa on Adedamola. This is why the excitement was palpable when YBNL label boss Olamide Baddo first teased the project in a short video shared on social media.
Given the magic of their earlier offerings, fans, this writer included, eagerly anticipated this project. Now, with the EP finally out, we get to experience a reunion of sorts spread across a 13-minute listening experience. Across five songs, Pheelz and Fireboy DML offer a thoroughly enjoyable reminder of the brilliance of their exciting chemistry.
Produced entirely by Pheelz, with additional production by Black Culture on two tracks (On a Kentro, Young Again), this project does feel a lot more like a Pheelz project. But Fireboy DML does not feel out of place; he injects the soul and feeling that draw his core listeners, while Pheelz’s production provides the backdrop that allows both artists to shine.
The project opens with the reflective and spiritually rooted On A Kentro. “If you ask me wetin I dey find? / I’m still looking for my piece of mind / You no know wetin I don survive / So no dey tell me how to live my life,” Pheelz sings in the opening seconds of the song, setting the tone. All three artists, including L.A.X, tap into their personal battles and moments of despair to craft their verses. “Ọmọ ọlọmọ laarin ero / When I had nowhere to go / Dey live my life on the road / But I know I’ll find my way,” Fireboy DML sings. Yet, they find relief in protection and strength from the divine, choosing to keep the hustle moving.
If On A Kentro is a song of endurance and a search for peace of mind, Gozi feels like the victory lap after overcoming that struggle. Where On A Kentro leaned on prayer, strength, and perseverance, Gozi is praise and thanksgiving as the duo highlight their transition from humble beginnings to luxury living. “Private jet to Monaco / Mo ti kowo lọ Polanco / Mo ra Ferrari ra Benz o,” Pheelz sings.
The groovy Shake is crafted to provoke wild reactions in clubs and raves once the beat drops, as Fireboy DML demands that his muse “moves her bodies to the beat nonstop.” Arriving as momentum begins to shift to Detty December, the record carries the vibrancy to achieve its purpose as Fireboy DML and Pheelz generate the right amount of vibes to match the energetic beat.
Young Again revisits the introspection the duo explored on the first two records, combining gratitude and joy into a celebratory song. “I’ve been running from sapa, I’ve been climbing the ladder” reminds listeners of the reality of the struggle, while Fireboy’s passionate refrain, “Celebrate ooo… we no fit young again,” is a call to enjoy the moment.
To close the EP, Fireboy exudes pure romance in a way that only he can, zooming in on love and intimacy, cutting out the scepticism and highlighting the depth of his feelings, passionately singing on the hook, “I’m in love with you.”
The songs on this EP feel like they were all cut from the same cloth. What makes this unique is that they were able to achieve this without the EP sounding monotonous. The records on the tape cut across Afropop and Amapiano, with Gozi and ILWY leaning more towards glossy Afropop, while On A Kentro and Young Again lean towards Fuji sonics, which ground both records in Yoruba spirituality.
Overall, the EP is yet another remarkable musical offering from two guys who bring the best out of each other. This writer’s only grouse with this project is its length. Five songs and 13 minutes of music make for a really brief listen, with multiple listens required to fully digest the music. While this comes off as a solid streaming strategy, it’s not a good look for two artists who typically bring more complexity to their work. An extended 10-track project would’ve been more fitting for a collaboration of this calibre and better showcased their combined talents as two creatives with a rudimentary understanding of music.
