From Dreams of Football to a Rising Voice in Afrobeats: The FOLA Story

Nigerian singer-songwriter FOLA has quickly become one of the most exciting voices in the new generation of Afrobeats, combining soulful vocals, emotional songwriting and a sound that comfortably moves between Afrobeats, R&B and pop.

But music was not always the plan.

Before the studio, the releases and the growing international audience, FOLA had another dream: football.

His journey from wanting to become a professional footballer to establishing himself as one of Nigeria’s rising music stars is a story of discovering an unexpected talent, taking a chance on himself and turning that opportunity into something bigger.

THE DREAM OF FOOTBALL

Born Folarin Odunlami, FOLA grew up in Lagos and developed a love for football from an early age.

The sport was more than a hobby. For a young FOLA, becoming a professional footballer was once the career he imagined for himself.

In a 2024 conversation with Apple Music, FOLA revealed that he initially wanted to play football so badly that he never intended to pursue music professionally. His introduction to singing happened almost by accident when he met other students who were already making music and joined them as part of a group. (Shazam⁠)

That experience would eventually expose him to a talent he did not know he had.

Music began as something he enjoyed with friends, but the more he sang, the more obvious it became that there was something special in his voice.

After leaving school, however, FOLA stepped away from music for a period.

It was not until he started putting short videos online and gradually connecting with people in Lagos that he began taking the possibility of a music career seriously. (Shazam⁠)

The dream was changing.

Football remained close to his heart, but music was beginning to offer him another path.

FINDING HIS VOICE

FOLA’s relationship with music can be traced back to his home and church.

He has spoken about singing in his local church choir, an experience that helped shape his early connection with music. (WORDPLAY⁠)

As he developed as an artist, his influences and experiences began shaping a sound that did not fit neatly into one box.

FOLA’s music combines Afrobeats with elements of soul and R&B, while his songwriting often focuses on love, relationships, ambition, vulnerability and the realities of everyday life.

Rather than limiting himself to one particular style, he has described his sound as “Afro-everything” — allowing himself to explore Afrobeats, Afro-drill and other sounds while maintaining his melodic identity. (Shazam⁠)

That flexibility would eventually become one of his biggest strengths.

THE EARLY YEARS

Before the mainstream breakthrough, FOLA spent years developing his craft.

His earliest music came through a group he formed with friends, before he eventually began releasing music under his own name.

Records such as “Miss You,” “Money Chaser,” “Feeling” and “Ginger Me” helped introduce listeners to the emerging singer and gave him the foundation he needed to build a career.

In 2022, FOLA released “Ginger Me,” featuring Bella Shmurda.

The collaboration immediately gave the young singer an important introduction to a wider Nigerian audience and marked the beginning of a relationship that would become significant in his career. (AllMusic⁠)

But FOLA was still waiting for the song that would completely change his trajectory.

“ALONE” CHANGES EVERYTHING

That moment arrived in 2024.

FOLA released “alone” featuring BhadBoi OML, and the record quickly became the breakthrough that transformed his career.

The song stood out for its emotional writing, smooth delivery and relatable subject matter. It was the kind of record that allowed listeners to connect with FOLA not simply because of the production, but because of the emotion in his voice.

The song climbed the Nigerian charts, peaking at No. 7 on the Official Nigeria Top 100. (TurnTable Charts⁠)

Then came the remix.

BNXN joined FOLA for a new version of “alone,” and the collaboration pushed the record even further. The remix peaked at No. 4 on the Official Nigerian Top 100 and recorded more than 14 million on-demand streams at the time of TurnTable’s December 2024 report. (TurnTable Charts⁠)

For FOLA, the impact was enormous.

“alone” had gone from being another release to becoming the record that introduced him to a much larger audience.

It proved that the young singer had the ability to create music that could travel.

FROM BREAKTHROUGH TO A NEW WAVE

The success of “alone” changed the conversation around FOLA.

He was no longer simply an emerging artist with potential.

He was becoming an artist audiences expected to hear from.

In December 2024, he released his debut EP, what a feeling, building on the momentum created by “alone.”

The project featured appearances from Bella Shmurda, BNXN, BhadBoi OML and Magixx, while giving FOLA space to explore the emotional and melodic qualities that had become central to his sound. (Wikipedia⁠)

The EP demonstrated that his breakthrough was not dependent on a single record.

There was a wider artistic identity behind the success.

FOLA’s ability to blend heartfelt songwriting with accessible Afrobeats production gave him a lane of his own within Nigeria’s increasingly competitive new wave.

BUILDING WITH THE BIG NAMES

As his profile grew, so did the quality and scale of his collaborations.

FOLA has worked with artists including Bella Shmurda, BNXN, Zlatan and Kizz Daniel, while continuing to build a catalogue that shows his versatility. (Music In Africa⁠)

His collaborations have also allowed him to move between different sides of contemporary Nigerian music.

From the emotional vulnerability of “alone” to the confidence of records such as “Get Better” with Zlatan and the reflective moments on his later projects, FOLA has continued to show that he is more than a one-song artist.

His growing catalogue has become a reflection of an artist still figuring out just how far his sound can go.

“CATHARSIS”: A NEW CHAPTER

In September 2025, FOLA released his debut studio album, catharsis.

The project represented a major step forward.

While what a feeling introduced audiences to his sound and helped establish his identity, catharsis gave FOLA a larger canvas to explore his emotions, ambitions, relationships and personal experiences.

The album features collaborations with artists including Kizz Daniel, Gabzy and Victony, while FOLA uses the project to explore themes ranging from heartbreak and love to struggle, ambition and perseverance. (Apple Music - Web Player⁠)

For FOLA, the title itself carries significant meaning.

He described catharsis as a form of relief and freedom from strong emotions, comparing the album to a “soul hospital” designed to help listeners process what they are feeling and move forward. (Apple Music - Web Player⁠)

That idea captures much of what makes his music distinctive.

FOLA is not afraid of emotion.

He leans into it.

THE FOOTBALLER IS STILL THERE

Despite everything music has brought him, FOLA has never completely left football behind.

The singer remains passionate about the sport and supports Chelsea.

In a 2026 interview with WORDPLAY Magazine, FOLA said that outside music, he enjoys FIFA and football and joked that in another life he might have gone professional. (WORDPLAY⁠)

That connection to football has even become part of his identity.

The NATIVE described him as a self-proclaimed “striker,” a nod to his deep love for the game, while documenting his progression from the success of “alone” to his debut album and first major tour. (The NATIVE⁠)

The football dream may have taken a different route, but the competitive spirit remains.

TAKING THE MUSIC BEYOND NIGERIA

FOLA’s growth has not stopped at the Nigerian market.

Following the success of his music at home, he has increasingly connected with audiences outside the country through international performances and touring.

In 2026, he embarked on his Live In Concert tour, including a performance at London’s O2 Indigo. The tour represented another important stage in his development as he moved from recording music for listeners to building a stronger relationship with fans in live settings. (The NATIVE⁠)

For an artist still relatively early in his mainstream career, the progression has been significant.

Just a few years earlier, FOLA was uploading short videos and finding his way into Lagos’ music scene.

Now, he is performing his own catalogue to international audiences.

WHY FOLA’S STORY MATTERS

FOLA’s rise is part of a larger evolution within Nigerian music.

Afrobeats continues to expand globally, but the new generation of artists are increasingly finding success by building identities that go beyond traditional genre boundaries.

FOLA is one of those artists.

His music carries the rhythm of Afrobeats but is heavily influenced by R&B and soul. His songwriting is personal, while his melodies remain accessible.

That balance has allowed him to connect with listeners who may have discovered him through a viral record but stayed because of the artist behind it.

His story also demonstrates the unpredictable nature of creative careers.

The person who once dreamed of becoming a professional footballer did not necessarily set out to become a major recording artist.

Music found him.

And once he discovered what he could do with it, he decided to pursue it.

FROM THE PITCH TO THE STAGE

There is something fitting about the journey.

Football taught FOLA competition, discipline and the importance of showing up.

Music gave him another field on which to apply those qualities.

Instead of chasing goals on a football pitch, he is now chasing songs, performances and moments that connect with people.

The stadium became the stage.

The striker became the singer.

And the dream of becoming a footballer evolved into something completely different.

Today, FOLA is no longer simply an artist with potential.

He has already delivered a breakout record, released a successful debut EP, followed it with a full-length album, collaborated with some of Nigeria’s biggest artists and begun taking his music to international audiences.

But his story is far from finished.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR FOLA?

The next stage of FOLA’s career will be about longevity.

The challenge is no longer proving that he can make a hit.

“alone” already answered that question.

Now, the goal is to build a body of work and a career that can stand beyond one breakthrough moment.

In 2026, FOLA continues to release new music, with singles including “fine ting (fine $hit)” and “treat u right” adding to his growing catalogue. (Apple Music - Web Player⁠)

He has also revealed that his sophomore album is already in the works, suggesting that the next chapter of his career is already taking shape. (WORDPLAY⁠)

For an artist who once thought his future would be on a football pitch, the journey has taken an unexpected but remarkable turn.

FOLA may not have become the professional footballer he once imagined.

Instead, he found another arena.

And in that arena, he is quickly becoming a voice of his generation.

From dreams of football to a rising voice in Afrobeats, FOLA’s story is a reminder that sometimes the path to your biggest dream begins with discovering a talent you never knew you had.