Folarin Odunlami, widely recognized by his stage name Fola, a Nigerian artist, recently shared the story of how he invested all his savings into a music project in 2022, hoping it would catapult him to stardom. Unfortunately, the project did not yield the success he anticipated.
Despite this disappointment, Fola’s dedication to his music never wavered. His perseverance began to bear fruit the following year, marking a turning point in his career.
Reflecting on his journey, the ‘Alone‘ hitmaker revealed that during his university days, even his classmates were unaware of his musical ambitions. Today, however, his rising fame has made it difficult for him to visit campus unnoticed.
This insight was shared in a preview of his documentary featured on Spotify’s Radar platform.
“Music holds a special place in my heart because it allows me to connect with people deeply, even without meeting them face-to-face,” Fola explained.
He continued, “I’ll never forget 2022. I poured all my resources into a music project, but it didn’t take off. Back then, if I showed up on campus, no one really knew who I was. Fast forward just a year, and my popularity has grown so much that I can’t even step foot on campus without being recognized.”
Fola’s breakthrough came after signing with Bella Shmurda‘s renowned label, Dagbana Republik, in October 2024.
Following the release of his hit single ‘Alone,’ he has gone on to collaborate with prominent Afrobeats artists including Wizkid and Kizz Daniel, further solidifying his place in the music industry.