Fireboy DML Reveals Strained Bond with Father Over Tattoos: “He Might Never Forgive Me”

Nigerian Afrobeat sensation, Adedamola Adefolahan, widely known as Fireboy DML, has shared a deeply personal and emotional side of his life, revealing how his choice to express himself through tattoos has created a rift between him and his father.

The Peru crooner, now 29, bared it all during a recent appearance on the 90s Baby Show, admitting that his body art is a major source of disappointment for his dad.

“One thing that I would do that can break my dad’s heart? I think I already did; my tattoos,” Fireboy confessed.

To shield his father from the hurt, the singer says he resorts to covering up completely whenever his dad visits, opting for jalabiya—a full-length robe common in Nigerian culture—to hide his inked skin.

“He doesn’t mind the piercings, but these tattoos? He might never forgive me.”

Art or Rebellion?

Despite the tension it has caused at home, Fireboy maintains that his love for tattoos goes beyond his music career. According to him, his desire for ink is rooted in personal expression, not rebellion.

“Even if I was a banker, I’d still get tattoos. It’s not just because I’m an artist. I see tattoos as art. Sometimes I want to be shirtless and still look dressed up. That’s what tattoos mean to me.”

Opinion: A Generational Clash or Artistic Identity?

Fireboy’s story is a reflection of a larger cultural divide between traditional Nigerian values and modern creative self-expression. For many in the older generation, tattoos still carry stigmas — often seen as rebellious or unprofessional. But for today’s youth, especially artists like Fireboy, they are a canvas for storytelling, identity, and style.

What’s beautiful about Fireboy’s honesty is how it highlights the internal conflict that many young Nigerians face — choosing between being true to oneself and honoring the emotional expectations of family. His words echo loudly for anyone who’s had to hide parts of themselves for love, respect, or peace.

Still, perhaps over time, his father might come to see what fans already do — that these marks aren’t scars of rebellion, but symbols of a young man finding and owning his voice.