Spotify has spotlighted FOLA’s Journey on RADAR Africa.
Glamtush reports that on the bold RADAR Africa stage today sits FOLA, one of the most exciting new voices in Afrobeats and a name you definitely want to remember.
FOLA, born Folarin Odulami, is a 24-year-old artist from Ibadan, Nigeria, whose unique fusion of Afro-pop, soul, and R&B is captured on his deeply personal debut album, Catharsis. His journey is a testament to the continent’s vibrant sound, moving from the uncertainty of his early days to the validation of being highlighted by a global platform.
Speaking during a fireside chat at the recently concluded Spotify’s Greasy Tunes Café in Lagos, FOLA stated that, “if I wasn’t making music, I’d probably be on a football pitch or walking the runway.” His sound, however, has found its true home in Afro-pop and soul, channeling the city’s vibrant pulse and emotional honesty.
In the short film, FOLA opens up about the uncertainty that came with his early days, the struggle, the financial limits, and the fear that his music might never “blow.” Still, he took a leap of faith in 2022, releasing Ginger Me with Bella Shmurda under Dagbana Republik. That decision marked the start of a new chapter.
“FOLA embodies the next wave of African artistry, bold, soulful, and emotionally honest. His music captures the essence of what RADAR Africa stands for: spotlighting voices that are shaping the future of sound authentically from the continent to the world,” says Phiona Okumu, Head of Music, Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa.
His breakout single alone featuring Bhadboi OML in 2024 cemented him as one of Afrobeats’ most soulful new voices. With its smooth percussion and heartfelt storytelling, the song resonated deeply with fans who, as he puts it, are “people in touch with their emotions.”
Now, with his debut album Catharsis, FOLA offers a personal reflection on love, pain, and rebirth.
Dreamers who choose feeling over formula, and proof that music from Lagos still finds its way to every corner of the world.
As he shared at the Greasy Tunes Café, “The love from my fans keeps me going. I don’t take it for granted. My goal is simple: take Afrobeats to the next level.”
