Peace By Piece is the definition of feel-good music. It’s fluid in its execution, assured in its vision, and balanced in how it marries joy with the composition.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
In the striking black-and-white visuals that preceded the release of Peace By Piece, the new collaborative EP by Fireboy DML and Pheelz, rapper and YBNL label head, Olamide, provided a perfectly apt voice-over: “Pheelz and Fireboy, a match made in heaven, just like rice and beans. Being able to experience the process of Laughter, Tears, & Goosebumps made me realise how much magic they create together. God has made it possible for them to find each other. Things like this are rare; they come once in a lifetime”.
It’s a fitting description for this artiste-producer pairing, especially considering their collaborative foundation on Fireboy DML’s 2019 debut album, Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps, a project widely regarded as a modern Afro-Pop classic. But while their 2019 chemistry was built on a traditional artiste-to-producer dynamic, five years later on Peace By Piece, they unite as equals.
That same Pheelz, who is behind many era-defining Afro-Pop hits, has evolved from behind-the-scenes beatmaker to front-and-centre vocalist, demonstrating a remarkable command of melody that matches his production prowess. Though much of the EP’s sonic landscape remains engineered by Pheelz’s skilled hands, he steps into the spotlight as both architect and performer to create something truly special alongside his longtime collaborator.
Peace By Piece opens with “On a Kentro” featuring L.A.X. It’s an uptempo, breezy track introduced by Pheelz’s soul-baring line: “If you ask me wetin I dey find, I’m still looking for my peace of mind/ You no know wetin I don survive/ So, no dey tell me how to live my life”. Fireboy DML slips in with a catchy verse, and L.A.X rounds it off with a lively contribution that lifts the energy even further.
Still, what makes the track truly memorable is its fiery and instantly addictive hook. Amid the playful chants, “Ase lo n fọ/ On a kentro/ Jẹ ka ma lọ” and Fireboy’s “Obleee every Saturday/ Dorime no fit cure my pain”, the song carries a motivational undertone that urges resilience through coded slang.
On the amapiano-charged “Gozi”, the duo turns reflective and acknowledges God’s hand in their success. The song’s standout moment is Fireboy DML’s chorus: “Owo ti wọle/ Pull up in a Benz/ Mo ti rale mo ra mọto/ Elo ni Bentley?/ I go share testimony/ Tell everybody/ Ogoziri ma gozi”.
The line carries even deeper resonance when contrasted with his 2019 debut, where on “Need You” he sang: “Me I no get Benz oh, I no get Bentley baby, all I got is love for you”. Six years ago, it was a confession of lack; now, it’s a testimony of success and abundance. That lyrical evolution makes the chorus feel full-circle and a nod to how far he’s come. And it’s not just the material proof of success that gives the song its weight; the spiritual layer deepens it. The phrase “Ogozirim agozi” translates from Igbo as “God has blessed me abundantly”, grounding the song in gratitude as much as in celebration.
It’s paradoxical how the song moves from acknowledging God to the two artistes openly indulging their hedonistic desire. “I like the way you shake that body/ I like the way you move your body”, Pheelz chants in the ad-libs before the track fully descends into pure revelry as a club banger.
Arguably, Peace By Piece’s most exuberant moment, “Young Again” radiates the carefree rush of youth. Fireboy DML’s chorus, “Celebrate oooooo/ Ṣe you no knowwww/ We no fit young again!” lands as soulful and uplifting, while the violins inject an added dimension of emotion, and the talking drums drive the song’s rhythm underneath. Pheelz complements this with a verse reflecting on his grind and his resolve to now bask in enjoyment.
The project winds down with “ILWY”, a log drum–driven closer that shifts the mood toward intimacy. Both artistes trade declarations of affection: “Baby, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah/ I’m in love with you/ I’m in love, I’m in love, I’m in love, I’m in love”. Pheelz leads with the chorus, before Fireboy steps in to mirror the refrain, giving the song a layered texture and ending the EP on a heartfelt, romantic tone.
Right from the moment one presses play on the intro track “On a Kentro” to the closing notes of “ILWY”, Peace By Piece carries a momentum that keeps the listener hooked from start to finish. Each track brings its own colour yet connects to the next with a natural flow that gives the EP a sense of movement that doesn’t overstay its welcome and make you wish it were part of a larger, more expansive body of work.
At its core, Peace By Piece is the definition of feel-good music. It’s fluid in its execution, assured in its vision, and balanced in how it marries joy with the composition. The production, expertly helmed by Pheelz with support from Black Culture, is clean and intentional, with features like L.A.X integrated thoughtfully. Above all, the project brims with the sense of two artistes loosening up, enjoying themselves, and letting that freedom guide the music.
Olamide’s metaphorical description of their chemistry as “rice and beans” is a truth stamped all over this project. The synergy between Fireboy DML and Pheelz feels natural, and with Peace By Piece, they reaffirm that their collaboration is a bond strong enough to stand as one of Afro-Pop’s most reliable pairings.
Lyricism – 1.5
Tracklisting – 1.4
Sound Engineering – 1.5
Vocalisation – 1.5
Listening Experience – 1.7
Rating – 7.6/10
Abioye Damilare Samson is a music journalist and culture writer focused on the African entertainment industry. His works have appeared in Afrocritik, Republic NG, NATIVE Mag, Culture Custodian, 49th Street, and more. Connect with him on Twitter and IG: @Dreyschronicle