Music Review: “Lowkey,” by Fireboy DML ft Asake

The song “Lowkey,” is by Nigerian singer and songwriter, Adedamola Adefolahan aka Fireboy DML. Fireboy is currently signed to Olamide’s record label, YBNL (Yahoo Boy No Laptop). The song features record label mate, Ahmed Olalade Asake aka Asake.

I am wondering though, is the title of this song “Lowkey,” or “Bandana?”

Fireboy DML’s lines seem to dwell more on “lowkey,” while Asake’s lines centered more on “bandana.”

What is the song Lowkey by Fireboy DML ft Asake all about?

“Lowkey,” in this song means to do something quietly, in a way that you may not be noticed or get the attention of people. 

A bandana is a large colored or patterned handkerchief usually worn or tied on the head. 

But Bandana in this song by Fireboy DML ft Asake is a reference to popular late American rapper, songwriter, and actor, Tupac Shakur, 2Pac. 2Pac died September 13th, 1996 at the age of 25. He was known for his thug lifestyle and always wore bandanas which became his brand.

In the song “Lowkey,” by Fireboy DML ft Asake, the artists sang about different things.

Fireboy DML’s verses and pre-chorus talk about his love for music, how he has been into music for a long time, how he will keep being passionate about music forever, and how he is concentrating on his music and nothing else. He also talks about his personality; he says he doesn’t smoke Indian hemp “I no dey blow trees.” He also talks about being on the lowkey side lately. But Fireboy DML assures his fans that being on low-key doesn’t mean he is lonely, inactive, or not having fun. He is having fun, especially with the ladies, and still churning out good music.

Asake’s chorus and post-chorus talk about his lifestyle. He says he is a gangster with iniquities, that loves to wear a bandana just like the late American rapper, 2Pac. He says his hard work has gotten him international recognition. He is thankful to God for his progress so far. Lastly, he appreciates his fans for their love and says it motivates him to keep moving.  

What do you all think?

Here is Lowkey Lyrics Translation by Fireboy ft Asake

Intro

P

Pre-chorus (Fireboy DML)

Lowkey

All of them don dey notice (They have all started noticing.)

I’m not joking

All my guys dem-dem know me (All my guys know me.)

Since ’06

I’ve been writing this story

I no be OG (I am not an Original Gangster.)

But if you ask dem, dem know me (But, if you ask them, they know me.)

Verse 1 (Fireboy DML)

I no dey blow trees (I don’t blow trees (Indian hemp))

Orin lo n yi mi lori (It is song that drives me crazy.)

Music chose me

Just know this and know peace

I dey lowkey (I am on lowkey.)

But I’m never lonely

Sexy ladies

Come whine fi me slowly (Come whine for me slowly.)

Chorus (Asake)

Na the love wey I see (It is the love that I saw)

Na im wey give me liver (That gave me liver.)

I be ghetto boy I be sinner (I am a ghetto boy, I am a sinner.)

Fear nobody only Jehovah (I fear nobody except God.)

And I thank the lord I dey go far (And I am thankful to God that I am going far.)

Usain Bolt, mo d’aleba

Shoutout si awon temi ninu Shitta (Shoutout to my people at Shitta.)

Bandana lori bi ti 2Pac (Bandana on my head like that of 2Pac)

Midnight workers, karashika

Post chorus (Asake)

Dem never see me coming (Jo jo jo jo jo) (They have not seen me coming.)

Oh coming (L’Eko)

Mo gbe wan ni ‘is coming’ (E yeah, e yeah yeah o) (I made them anticipating…)

Naija boy wey dey go foreign (Dey go foreign) (Nigerian boy that has gone foreign)

Wey go foreign (Dey go foreign) (That has gone foreign)

Ose Mr. Money (Thank you, Mr. Money.)

Verse 2 (Fireboy DML)

I’m never weak

I never cease

Till eternity

I’m on fire

My legacy will not die

My family is for life

Where dem dey? (Where are they?)

Who dem be? (Awonda?) (Who are they?)

Dem go craze (They would go crazy.)

Dem go tire (They would get tired.)

Dem go say (They would say.)

Dem go say (They would say.)

Dem no know wetin dey sup (They don’t know what’s up.)

Pre-chorus (Fireboy DML)

Lowkey

All of them don dey notice (They have all started noticing.)

I’m not joking

All my guys dem-dem know me (All my guys know me.)

Since ’06

I’ve been writing this story

I no be OG (I am not an Original Gangster.)

But if you ask dem, dem know me (But, if you ask them, they know me.)

Chorus (Asake)

Na the love wey I see (It is the love that I saw)

Na im wey give me liver (That gave me liver.)

I be ghetto boy I be sinner (I am a ghetto boy, I am a sinner.)

Fear nobody only Jehovah (I fear nobody except God.)

And I thank the lord I dey go far (And I am thankful to God that I am going far.)

Usain Bolt, mo d’aleba

Shoutout si awon temi ninu Shitta (Shoutout to my people at Shitta.)

Bandana lori bi ti 2Pac (Bandana on my head like that of 2Pac)

Midnight workers, karashika

Post chorus (Asake)

Dem never see me coming (Jo jo jo jo jo) (They have not seen me coming.)

Oh coming (L’Eko)

Mo gbe wan ni ‘is coming’ (E yeah, e yeah yeah o) (I made them anticipating…)

Naija boy wey dey go foreign (Dey go foreign) (Nigerian boy that has gone foreign)

Wey go foreign (Dey go foreign) (That has gone foreign)

Ose Mr. Money (Thank you, Mr. Money.)

Outro

Dem never see me coming (Jo jo jo jo jo) (They have not seen me coming.)

Oh coming (L’Eko)

Mo gbe wan ni ‘is coming’ (E yeah, e yeah yeah o) (I made them anticipating…)

Naija boy wey dey go foreign (Dey go foreign) (Nigerian boy that has gone foreign)

Wey go foreign (Dey go foreign) (That has gone foreign)

Ose Mr. Money (Thank you, Mr. Money.)

Watch the video for the song “Bandana,” by Fireboy DML ft Asake

Duration: 3 minutes 02 seconds