Gbenga Adebayo
Emerging Nigerian artist Fola recently opened up about his challenging journey to stardom, recalling how he balanced his musical aspirations with a job at his father’s betting shop.
In a candid interview, Fola revealed that his love for music ignited during his high school days, where he performed with a local band but lacked the resources to turn it into a career.
“Back in high school, I was already making music—not professionally, but I played in a band,” he shared.
After finishing school, his struggles intensified. Without even a phone to his name, he depended on borrowed devices to push his craft forward.
“Things were tough—I didn’t own a phone, so I had to rely on my friend’s just to get things done,” he admitted.
Seeing few prospects in Ibadan, he took a job managing his father’s small betting shop to fund his dreams.
“I looked around and realized I needed to hustle. My dad’s betting shop became my stepping stone—I handled cash and managed operations to save up,” he explained.
His breakthrough came after relocating to Lagos, where he crossed paths with the late Mohbad, an artist who played a pivotal role in his rise.
“Meeting Mohbad changed everything—he opened doors for me,” Fola reflected.
Through Mohbad’s connection, he also linked up with Bella Shmurda, leading to an organic collaboration in 2022 without formal agreements.
“Mohbad and Bella were tight, so he kept telling Bella about me. We ended up recording a track together—no contracts, just pure vibes,” he recalled.
Despite their differing career stages at the time, Bella supported him without expecting payment—an act Fola still deeply appreciates.
“The gap between us was huge, but Bella believed in me enough to jump on the song for free,” he added.
Now reflecting on his growth, Fola remains humbled by his progress.
“God has been good—I’m grateful for how far we’ve come,” he said.
Oluwaseun Adeyemi
