The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Fola

  • Peruzzi, 9ice, Terry G, Fola thrill at Glenfiddich Experimental Night Concert

    Peruzzi, 9ice, Terry G, Fola thrill at Glenfiddich Experimental Night Concert

    A timeline of some of the best Afrobeats songs from the early 2000s till 2025 were put on display as four artists from different generations of Nigerian music took turns to thrill guests and attendees of the Glenfiddich Experimental Night Concert.

    The line- up of artists and DJs moved freely between memory, reinvention and culture in one night. The 2025 edition of the annual event was held in partnership with international music label gamma records.

    The event was kicked off with a DJ relay that had DJ Casper Sandra, DJ Cocaina, DJ Gigi Jasmine, DJ Maze x Mxtreme, DJ Crowd Kontroller, DJ Tag Team and DJ Tunes rotating seamlessly, pulling from different decades and genres of music.

    Peruzzi stepped out first as the live performances began to deliver some of his biggest tunes including ‘Somebody Baby’ and ‘Majesty’ to an audience that met him with loud, easy responses. It was a grounded opening that firmly placed the night in the present.

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    9ice came up next and as an O1’ guy in the game, he began his performance with a slower and more reflective energy, built on storytelling that has followed him for more than two decades. Two songs, ‘Gongo Aso’ and ‘Street Credibility,’ defined the night as the response was immediate. Voices rose, not out of hype, but recognition.

    Then Terry G took the stage and disrupted the entire rhythm that has been played earlier. The Free Madness star returned with the unpredictable energy that once defined an era of Nigerian pop music. His performance was loud, restless and unfiltered, driven by genre bending production and anthems that still landed with force.

    Emerging young act, Fola , closed the night leaning into experimentation, stretching the energy outward and offering a glimpse of what lies ahead.

    Beyond the music, the night drew an impressive cross-section of Nigeria’s creative ecosystem including Vice President and General Manager of gamma in Africa, Larry Gaaga, alongside Osi Suave, Charles Okpaleke, Ike Onyema, Seyi Classic, Fola David, Shaun Okojie, Mide Iwasokun, Chimezie Imo and Efe Tommy, among others.

  • Fola apologises amid backlash over chaotic first headline show

    Fola apologises amid backlash over chaotic first headline show

    Rising music sensation Fola has issued a public apology following his first-ever headline concert, which drew widespread criticism over safety concerns.

    The event, held on December 15 at the Balmoral Event Center, saw attendance exceed the venue’s capacity, with rowdy crowds and safety breaches prompting Fola to halt the performance.

    In a statement, Fola expressed deep remorse for the incident, acknowledging that the safety of his fans should have been his top priority.

    He wrote, “My people, I’m really sorry about how last night went. People were hurt, and that should never happen. I had to stop the show because safety comes before anything else. I hear you on all fronts, and we’re working to make things right.”

    His record label, Dagbana Republik, also apologised, citing inadequate safety measures and vowing to work with organisers to prevent similar incidents in the future.

    “We acknowledge the serious safety issues that occurred at the event organised by Mainland Blockparty.

    “The venue capacity was exceeded, resulting in unsafe conditions that should never have happened.

    “Once it became clear that fans were at risk, the performance was stopped immediately. We are working with the organisers to ensure adequate measures are taken to address the concerns of those affected. Your safety remains non-negotiable to us!”, the statement reads.

  • Fola: I worked in bet shop before fame

    Fola: I worked in bet shop before fame

    Fast-Rising singer Fola has opened up on his modest beginnings, recalling how he worked in his father’s betting shop before finding his footing in the music industry.

    Fola, who shared his story in an interview, said his passion for music began in high school where he played in a band but lacked the means to pursue it professionally.

    “I started making music in high school obviously not professionally, but I had a band I was playing with,” he said.

    After graduation, the struggle became more pronounced. According to him, he did not own a phone at the time and relied on a friend’s device to make progress. “It was difficult for me because I didn’t even have a phone, I was using my guy’s phone to do stuff,” he recalled.

    Faced with limited opportunities in Ibadan, he decided to take up work at a small bet shop owned by his father.

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    “I checked my environment and it wasn’t encouraging so I started working at a bet shop owned by my dad. I worked as a manager and cashier so that I could raise some money for myself,” he said.

    Fola later left Ibadan for Lagos, a move he described as the turning point in his journey. In Lagos, he met the late Mohbad, whom he credits for creating pathways that helped shape his career. “I met Mohbad. Mohbad did a lot of things for me,” he said.

    Through Mohbad, he was also introduced to Bella Shmurda, a relationship that led to an informal collaboration in 2022. “Mohbad and Bella were very close so Mohbad was always telling Bella about me. I and Bella did a song together in 2022 without any paperwork and it was just great,” he said.

    Despite the gap in their profiles at the time, Bella agreed to the collaboration without financial interest, a gesture Fola still speaks highly of. “The gap was so much between us but Bella did it anyway even when he wasn’t going to make a dime out of it,” he added.

    Looking back, the singer said he remains grateful for how far he has come. “I thank God for where we are today,” he said.

  • I slept at police station on my first day in Lagos – Singer Fola

    I slept at police station on my first day in Lagos – Singer Fola

    Afrobeats singer Folarin Odunlami popularly known as Fola has recounted how he was arrested on his first day in Lagos and spent a night in a police station.

    In a recent interview with The Beat 99.9 FM Lagos, the ‘Alone’ hitmaker said the incident left him feeling demoralised and questioning his decision to pursue a music career in Lagos.

    “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 recalled.

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    He said despite the rough start, his resilience and determination helped him adapt to the city’s fast-paced lifestyle.

    He has since made a name for himself in the music industry, gaining prominence after signing with Bella Shmurda’s Dagbani Republik in October 2024.

    With collaborations with top Afrobeats artists like Wizkid and Kizz Daniel, Fola’s music career is on the rise.