Peru (song)
2021 single by Fireboy DML
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"Peru" is a song by Nigerian singer Fireboy DML. It was released on 20 July 2021, through YBNL Nation, and distributed by Empire. "Peru" was written by Fireboy DML, Ivory Scott, & Kolten Perine and produced by Shizzi & Perine. On 23 December 2021, a reworked version of "Peru" was released, in collaboration with English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. The music video for the version with Sheeran was released on 24 December 2021.[1] An additional remix, featuring rappers 21 Savage and Blxst was also later released. The song was nominated at the 7th annual African Entertainment Awards USA for Song of the Year. The song is not about the country of Peru, but rather a reference to Nigerian singer Peruzzi; the government of Peru nonetheless reacted positively to the song on Twitter.[2]
| "Peru" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Single by Fireboy DML | ||||
| from the album Playboy | ||||
| Released | 20 July 2021 | |||
| Genre | Afrobeats | |||
| Length | 2:31 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producers | Shizzi & Kolten "SippiBoy" Perine | |||
| Fireboy DML singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Peru" on YouTube | ||||
| "Peru" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Fireboy DML and Ed Sheeran | ||||
| from the album Playboy and = (Tour Edition) | ||||
| Released | 24 December 2021 | |||
| Genre | Afrobeats | |||
| Length | 3:07 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriters |
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| Producers | Shizzi & Kolten "SippiBoy" Perine | |||
| Ed Sheeran singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Peru" on YouTube | ||||
| "Peru - Remix" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by Fireboy DML, 21 Savage, and Blxst | |
| Released | 11 February 2022 |
| Genre | Afrobeats |
| Length | 3:06 |
| Songwriter |
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Background
After the song garnered popularity and reached number one on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart, Fireboy reached out to Sheeran for a remix through the founder of SB.TV, Jamal Edwards.[3] On 11 February 2022, he released the official remix of "Peru", with featured vocals from 21 Savage and Blxst, through Empire Distribution for YBNL Nation.[4]
Lyrics and meaning
Contemporary coverage described "Peru" as a near-improvised diary of Fireboy DML's first summer in the United States, with lines about being in San Francisco and flying in from Miami; Fireboy told Rolling Stone the track "took less than an hour" to put together and that its aim was to lean into a more carefree side rather than a fixed narrative.[5] The title does not refer to the country of Peru but has been widely read as an allusion to fellow Nigerian singer Peruzzi; the Government of Peru later acknowledged the track on social media while promoting the remix with Ed Sheeran.[6] The chorus phrase "Peru, para" includes Nigerian Pidgin slang; BusinessDay glosses "para" as a term that conveys anger or aggression, commonly used to describe a heated emotional state.[7]
Music video
On 6 August 2021, Fireboy released the music video for "Peru". The visual sees Fireboy lounging around the streets of the US, seen in the studio, skydiving and trying out dishes. The visual was directed by Mariano Valentino, with additional footage shot by Dakota Lim, and Diego Pina. The visual was edited by Ryan Corr.[8] The new version, music video featuring Ed Sheeran, was released on 24 December 2021. Directed by Gabriella Kingsley, and shot in London, United Kingdom.[9] The music video reached 1.9 million views, less than 24 hours after its releases.[10] On 21 December 2021, Fireboy shared a short clip on his social platforms, singing "Peru" with Sheeran.[11]
Accolades
| Year | Organization | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | African Entertainment Awards USA | Song of the Year | Nominated | [12] |
| NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding International Song | Nominated | [13] | |
| 2022 | The Headies | Best Afrobeats Single of the Year | Won | [14] |
| Song of the Year | Nominated | [15] | ||
| Songwriter of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Viewer's Choice | Nominated | |||
| All Africa Music Awards | Song of the Year | Nominated | [16] | |
| Best Male Artiste in West Africa (Fireboy DML for "Peru") | Nominated | |||
| Artiste of the Year (Fireboy DML for "Peru") | Nominated | |||
| Best African Collaboration | Nominated | |||
| Producer of the Year (Shizzi for "Peru") | Won | |||
| NRJ Music Awards | International Collaboration of the Year | Nominated | [17] | |
| 2023 | Trace Awards & Festival | Song of the Year | Nominated | [18] |
| Best Collaboration | Nominated | |||
| Urban Music Awards | Best Collaboration | Won | [19] | |
| BMI London Awards | Most Performed Song of the Year | Won | [20] | |
| Brit Awards | International Song of the Year | Won | [21] | |
| Global Awards | Best Song | Nominated | [22] | |
Commercial performance
"Peru" peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart,[23] and number one on UK Afrobeats Singles Chart.[24] It would eventually spend 22 consecutive weeks in the top 10, tying "Shape of You" and "Bad Habits" as Sheeran's longest-charting songs in the top 10. On 2 August, it debuted at number ten on the TurnTable Top 50.[25][26] On 4 August, the song peaked at number 14 on the TurnTable Top 50 Airplay chart.[27] On the same day, it peaked at number five on TurnTable Top 50 streaming songs chart.[28] On 26 August, "Peru" peaked at number 26 on TurnTable TV Top songs chart.[29] It was named on the Apple Music Top Songs of 2021 in Nigeria.[30] "Peru" is Fireboy's most popular record with over 20.6 million Spotify streams as of December 2021.
Track listing
- Digital download and streaming
- "Peru" – 2:31
- Digital download, streaming and CD single
- "Peru" (with Ed Sheeran) – 3:07
- Digital download and streaming
- "Peru" (Acoustic) (with Ed Sheeran) – 2:52
- Digital download and streaming
- Digital download and streaming
- "Peru" (R3hab Remix) (with Ed Sheeran) – 2:29
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[67] Ed Sheeran version |
Platinum | 90,000‡ |
| France (SNEP)[68] Ed Sheeran version |
Diamond | 333,333‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[69] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| Nigeria (TCSN)[70] Ed Sheeran version |
3× Platinum | 300,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[71] Ed Sheeran version |
3× Platinum | 1,800,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[72] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Version | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 20 July 2021 | Original | [73] | ||
| 24 December 2021 | with Ed Sheeran | ||||
| United States | 18 January 2022 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | [74] | ||
| United Kingdom | 21 January 2022 | CD single (first pressing) | |||
| Various | 22 January 2022 |
|
Acoustic with Ed Sheeran | ||
| 11 February 2022 | Remix with 22 Savage and Blxst | ||||
| United States | 15 February 2022 | Contemporary hit radio | with Ed Sheeran | [75] | |
| Various | 2 March 2022 |
|
R3hab Remix with Ed Sheeran | ||
| United Kingdom | 11 March 2022 | CD single (second pressing) | with Ed Sheeran |