Fola Reveals He Spent His First Night in Lagos Behind Bars.
Folarin Odunlami, widely known as Fola, has opened up about the challenging start to his music journey in Lagos, shedding light on the struggles behind his rise in the Afrobeats scene.
In a recent interview with The Beat 99.9FM, the Alone hitmaker recounted how his very first day in Lagos in 2018 ended in an arrest, forcing him to spend the night at a police station.
“Bro, this is funny. The first day I got to Lagos, I was arrested. I slept at a police station. I almost gave up,” Fola recalled, laughing at the memory but acknowledging the hardship it represented.
He explained that life in Lagos was not easy for newcomers, especially those pursuing a career in music. With the city’s fast pace and competitive entertainment industry, navigating the initial days can be overwhelming. Yet, Fola said resilience and determination became his driving forces.
“When I first arrived, everything felt like a huge mountain. Lagos is not for the faint-hearted. But I knew if I wanted to make it in music, I had to push through,” he added.
Despite the rough start, Fola gradually adapted to Lagos’ hustle, leveraging every opportunity to grow his career. Today, he is signed under Bella Shmurda’s Dagbani Republik and has collaborated with some of Nigeria’s top artists, including Wizkid and Kizz Daniel.
Fola’s story serves as a reminder of the trials many young talents face in Nigeria’s entertainment capital. His journey underscores the importance of perseverance, resilience, and believing in one’s craft, even in the face of early setbacks.
“Lagos tried to shake me on my first day, but I refused to let it define me. Now, looking back, I see it as a lesson that shaped my journey,” Fola concluded.
