Bandana (song)

"Bandana"
Single by Fireboy DML and Asake
from the album Playboy
Released14 July 2022 (2022-07-14)
GenreAfrobeats
Length2:58
Label
Songwriters
ProducerP.Priime
Fireboy DML singles chronology
"Playboy"
(2022) 		"Bandana"
(2022) 		"Someone"
(2023)
Asake singles chronology
"Peace Be Unto You (PBUY)"
(2022) 		"Bandana"
(2022) 		"Loaded"
(2022)
Music video
"Bandana" on YouTube

"Bandana" is a song by Nigerian singers Fireboy DML FT Asake. It was released on 14 July 2022, through YBNL Nation and Empire Distribution, as the fourth and final single off Fireboy DML's third studio album Playboy (2022).[1] The P.Priime-produced single spent seven weeks on the Nigeria Top 100 chart, becoming Fireboy DML's longest-running No. 1 single. It set a record for the biggest jump to No. 1 on the charts, with 4.48 million on-demand streams in a single week and a radio reach of 67.7 million.[2]

Background

Fireboy DML revealed that "Bandana" was born out of a collaborative effort during a busy period of touring. In an interview with Ebro, he disclosed that Asake recorded his part on a tour bus. The collaboration was initiated by Olamide, the head of YBNL Nation, who suggested that Fireboy feature Asake on the track. The two artists did not just meet from YBNL Nation, as they had known each other since their undergraduate years at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ilé-Ifẹ̀. Fireboy described Asake as a talented artist with a unique personality, noting that their similar experiences during their university days contributed to their strong collaboration.[3]

Reception

Adegboyega Adeleye of Vanguard described "Bandana" as a "fire-cracker single” in which Fireboy DML "re-affirms his hit-making status" and tells his "true story". He commended Asake for delivering a "monster chorus filled with meaning" and concluded that the song "didn't disappoint" as the two "made magic" together.[4]

Music video

The music video for "Bandana," directed by filmmaker and cinematographer TG Omori, was released on 17 August 2022. The video is set in a futuristic world and sees Fireboy DML leading an army of supporters.[5]

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations for "Bandana"
Organization Year Category Result Ref.
The Headies 2023 Best Music Video Nominated [6]
Viewer's Choice
Soundcity MVP Awards Festival Video of the Year Won [7]
MTV Video Music Awards Best Afrobeats Video Nominated [8]

Commercial performance

"Bandana" was released on 14 July 2022, as part of the rollout for Fireboy DML's third studio album, Playboy (2022). The song quickly became a commercial success, debuting at No. 66 on the Nigeria Top 100 after being available for just one day in its first tracking week. By the next week, it made a historic leap to No. 1, marking the biggest jump to the top position in the history of the chart.[9][10] In its second week, "Bandana" solidified its position at No. 1, tallying 3.53 million streams (No. 1 on streaming) and 56.9 million in radio reach (No. 1 on radio). The song remained at the top for six or seven weeks, making it Fireboy DML's longest-running No. 1 single in Nigeria, surpassing the four-week reign of his hit "Peru." It also became Asake's longest-running No. 1, overtaking his previous chart-toppers like "Omo Ope," "Sungba," and "Peace Be Unto You (PBUY)."[11] During its run, "Bandana" achieved significant milestones, such as logging 4.48 million streams and a radio reach of 67.7 million in a single week, setting a record as the biggest No. 1 song in the history of the Nigeria Top 100. It fended off competition from major hits like Asake's "Peace Be Unto You," Burna Boy's "For My Hand" featuring Ed Sheeran, and Crayon's "Ijo (Laba Laba)."[12] The song's enduring popularity was fueled by its dominance on platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, Boomplay, Audiomack, and YouTube, as well as its strong radio presence.[13] Notably, "Bandana" marked Fireboy DML's first No. 1 entry on the chart and Asake's second No. 1 after "Omo Ope."[14]

Charts

Chart performance for "Bandana"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
UK Afrobeats (OCC)[15] 3
US Afrobeats Songs (Billboard)[16] 8

Certifications

Certifications for "Bandana"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Nigeria (TCSN)[17] 6× Platinum 600,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[18] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[19] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes and Apple Music.[20]

Release history

Release history and formats for "Bandana"
Region Date Format Label
Various 14 July 2022

See also

References

  1. ^ Corcoran, Nina (13 July 2022). "Listen to Fireboy DML's New Song "Bandana"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  2. ^ Oriowo, Ayomide (12 September 2022). "Fireboy DML & Asake's 'Bandana' Spends a Seventh Week at No. 1, Oxlade's 'Ku Lo Sa' Moves to No. 10". TurnTable. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  3. ^ Okanlawon, Taiwo (2 November 2024). "How Asake recorded his verse on 'Bandana' - Fireboy". P.M. News. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  4. ^ Adegboyega, Adeleye (15 July 2022). "Music Review: 'Bandana l'ori bi ti 2pac', YBNL Sensations, Fireboy DML & Asake make magic together". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  5. ^ Cho, Regina (12 September 2022). "Fireboy DML leads a revolution in new "Bandana" video". Revolt. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  6. ^ Grein, Paul (28 August 2023). "Burna Boy Leads in 2023 Headies Awards Nominations: Full List (Exclusive)". Billboard. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  7. ^ Shumba, Ano (13 February 2023). "Soundcity MVP Awards 2023: All the winners". Music in Africa. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  8. ^ Blistein, Jon (8 August 2023). "Taylor Swift, SZA, Doja Cat Lead 2023 MTV VMA Nominations". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 9 August 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  9. ^ Adegboyega, Adeleye (29 July 2022). "Top 10 Nigeria Music Countdown: Fireboy DML & Asake's 'Bandana' tops list". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  10. ^ Animashaun, Damilola (1 August 2022). "TurnTable Top 100: Asake and Fireboy DML Lead The Charts". The Native. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Turntable Charts Weekly: "Bandana" Spends a Second Week at No. 1 on the Nigeria Top 100". MoreBranches. 3 August 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  12. ^ Tigiri, Cynthia (30 August 2022). "TurnTable Top 100: Asake Debuts At No.1 With "Terminator"". The Native. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  13. ^ Oriowo, Ayomide (22 August 2022). "Fireboy DML & Asake's "Bandana" Spends a Fifth Week as the No. 1 Song in Nigeria, Tiwa Savage & Zinoleesky Debuts at No. 8 with "Jaiye Foreign" on the Nigeria Top 100". TurnTable. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  14. ^ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (27 July 2022). "TurnTable Top 100: Fireboy DML & Crayon Dominate This Week's Charts". The Native. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  15. ^ "Official Afrobeats Chart on 31/12/2022 – Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  16. ^ "Fireboy DML Chart History (Afrobeats Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  17. ^ "Nigeria certifications". TurnTable. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  18. ^ "British single certifications – Fireboy DML and Asake – Bandana". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 19 November 2024. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Bandana Fireboy DML and Asake in the "Search:" field.
  19. ^ "American single certifications – Fireboy DML, Asake – Bandana". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  20. ^ "Bandana - Song by Fireboy DML & Asake". Apple Music. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
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