Fast-Rising Star Fola Surpasses 1 Billion Streams in Breakout Year
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Fola (born Folarin Odunlami) has crossed the remarkable milestone of 1 billion streams worldwide, just over a year after his breakout.
The multi-genre artist, who blends Afrobeats, R&B, and Afro-fusion, achieved the feat following the release of his debut studio album Catharsis, which enjoyed strong chart performance and broad streaming support across platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Boomplay.
Fola first gained mainstream attention in 2024 with his single “Alone”, quickly earning praise for his soulful sound and emotionally rich songwriting.
His rise reflects a broader global surge in Afrobeats consumption.
Born and raised in Nigeria, Fola originally aspired to be a professional footballer before turning to music. Over time, he channeled his passion for melody and rhythm into freestyles, songs, and collaborations that would eventually establish his signature voice.
He formally signed with Bella Shmurda’s Dangbana Republik in October 2024, after several years of working together.
His earlier projects include the EP What a Feeling, which features well-received collaborations like “Who Does That” (with Bella Shmurda) and “Dangbana Riddim.”
Released on September 4, 2025, Catharsis earned critical acclaim and commercial success. It debuted at No. 2 on Spotify’s Global Top Albums Debut, making it one of the most successful Nigerian album launches on the platform.
With this milestone, industry watchers see Fola as a strong contender for Next Rated at the upcoming Headies Awards.