Afrobeats artist Folarin Odunlami, better known as Fola, has shared a personal story about how his move to Lagos for music almost ended before it began.
The ‘Alone’ singer revealed that on the very day he relocated to Lagos in 2018, he was arrested and forced to spend the night in a police station. According to him, the incident left him discouraged and nearly made him abandon his dream.
Speaking in an interview with The Beat 99.9 FM Lagos, Fola reflected on his struggles adjusting to life in the city.
“I relocated to Lagos in 2018 to pursue my music career. It has been rough but… I wasn’t born here, so it was so hard at first but I have adapted to both the living conditions and the hustle.
“The very first day I came to Lagos, I assumed arrested. I slept at the police station. It was a long story. I don’t want to remember it. I almost gave up,” he said.
Despite the rough start, Fola pushed through and went on to achieve success. He signed with Bella Shmurda’s record label, Dagbani Republik, in October 2024, and has since worked with major Afrobeats stars including Wizkid and Kizz Daniel. His hit track ‘Alone’ continues to expand his presence on the Nigerian music scene.
