The latest edition of the RADAR Africa stage featured FOLA, one of Afrobeats’ most compelling new voices and a name you’ll want to remember.
Born Folarin Odulami, the 24-year-old artist from Ibadan, Nigeria, has carved a sound that fuses Afro-pop, soul, and R&B into something deeply personal. His debut album, Catharsis, captures both his vulnerability and vision, reflecting a journey that spans from uncertainty to global recognition through Spotify’s spotlight.
Speaking at Spotify’s Greasy Tunes Café in Lagos, FOLA shared, “If I wasn’t making music, I’d probably be on a football pitch or walking the runway.” Yet, it’s clear that his truest calling lies in Afro-pop and soul — genres that allow him to channel the pulse and emotion of his environment.
In the accompanying short film, FOLA reflects on his early struggles — the financial strain, self-doubt, and fear that his music might never “blow.” Everything changed in 2022 when he took a leap of faith and released Ginger Me with Bella Shmurda under Dagbana Republik — a move that opened a new chapter in his career.
“FOLA embodies the next wave of African artistry — bold, soulful, and emotionally honest. His music captures exactly what RADAR Africa represents: authentic voices shaping the future of sound from the continent to the world,” says Phiona Okumu, Head of Music, Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa.
His breakout single Alone, featuring Bhadboi OML (2024), cemented his status as one of Afrobeats’ most soulful newcomers. With its smooth percussion and raw storytelling, the track resonated with listeners who, as FOLA puts it, are “people in touch with their emotions.”
Now, with Catharsis, FOLA offers a stirring reflection on love, loss, and renewal; an album made for dreamers who value feeling over formula. It’s proof that music from Lagos continues to find its way into hearts across the globe.
As he told fans at the Greasy Tunes Café: “The love from my fans keeps me going. I don’t take it for granted. My goal is simple: to take Afrobeats to the next level.”
Watch the full film here.
