Speaking candidly on a recent episode of the 90s Baby Show, the 29-year-old Afrobeat star admitted that his father has yet to come to terms with his tattoos, despite accepting other aspects of his artistic lifestyle.
“One thing that I would do that can break my dad’s heart? I think I already did—my tattoos,” Fireboy revealed. “Whenever he comes to visit me, I’m always in jalabiya, fully covered. Because tattoos, they break his heart every time he sees them.”
Though his father has shown tolerance toward his piercings, the inked artwork across his body remains a sore point. “He will never forgive me for these things,” Fireboy said, reflecting on the emotional rift the tattoos have caused.
However, the Peru hitmaker stood firm in his identity and artistic choices, asserting that his decision to get tattoos isn’t tied to fame or his music career.
“Even if I had ended up as a banker, I would still have had tattoos,” he explained. “It’s not even about being an artist. I’m just that kind of person. I see it as art.”
For Fireboy, tattoos serve not just as decoration but as a form of self-expression and confidence. “Sometimes I want to be shirtless and still look like I am dressed up,” he said. “I want to wear a singlet and step into a place and still have a presence. That is what tattoos are to me.”
While the generational clash between tradition and modern self-expression continues to play out in many Nigerian families, Fireboy’s story highlights the personal sacrifices artists often make as they forge their path in the spotlight.