Street-pop rising star Ayo Maff has hailed Fireboy DML as the catalyst for his success, revealing their hit Dealer (Remix) changed everything. “Without Fireboy, there will be no Ayo Maff,” he said.
The 2024 chart-topper earned him a Headies nomination and opened doors, like performing at the O2 Arena. Now, all eyes are on his debut album dropping soon.
Rising Nigerian street-pop artist Ayo Maff has credited his breakthrough in the music industry to his collaboration with Fireboy DML. In a recent interview on Trending, the young artist commented on how the Dealer (Remix), which he featured Fireboy, became a turning point in his career.
According to Ayo Maff, Fireboy’s contribution was instrumental in elevating the song and catapulting him into mainstream success. “Without Fireboy, there will be no Ayo Maff because he gave me that thing I want. So thank God and thank you to Fireboy,” he said, expressing heartfelt appreciation.
The remix of Dealer became a commercial hit, dominating Spotify Nigeria and emerging as the biggest song on the platform in 2024. The buzz surrounding the track also earned Ayo Maff a Headies nomination for the coveted Next Rated award, further cementing his status as one of Nigeria’s most promising newcomers.
Ayo Maff admitted that Fireboy’s involvement came as an unexpected surprise. He didn’t anticipate that a high-profile artist like Fireboy would jump on the track, which made the moment even more meaningful for him.
Since then, the young artist has experienced a steady rise, with his music resonating strongly with fans of Nigerian street culture. His lyrics often reflect life’s harsh realities, touching on themes like poverty, police brutality, and survival.
Adding to his growing list of achievements, Ayo Maff also had the opportunity to perform at the iconic O2 Arena in London, opening for Grammy-nominated superstar Asake. He described the moment as a dream come true: “The experience of performing at the O2 Arena was a moment I had imagined before it happened.”
With momentum on his side, Ayo Maff is now preparing to release his debut album, The Prince of The Street. He was also recently listed by Spotify as one of the breakout stars to watch in 2025.
