Afrobeats Singer Fola Recounts Police Arrest on His First Day in Lagos

Fast-rising Afrobeats sensation Folarin Odunlami, popularly known as Fola, has opened up about a painful chapter in his journey to stardom—his first day in Lagos.

The “Alone” crooner revealed in a recent interview with The Beat 99.9 FM, Lagos, that he was arrested and spent a night in police custody on the very day he relocated to the city in 2018 to chase his music dreams.

The experience, he admitted, nearly crushed his spirit and pushed him close to giving up.

“The very first day I came to Lagos, I got arrested. I slept at the police station. It was a long story. I don’t want to remember it. I almost gave up,” Fola recalled.

Despite that discouraging start, the singer says his resilience and adaptability helped him navigate Lagos’ fast-paced lifestyle.

Since then, Fola has grown into one of Afrobeats’ exciting new voices. His signing with Bella Shmurda’s Dagbani Republik in October 2024 marked a turning point, and his breakout single “Alone” put him on the map. He has since collaborated with big names such as Wizkid and Kizz Daniel, cementing his place in the industry.

Opinion

Fola’s story is a reminder of how dreams are often tested the hardest at the very beginning. For many young Nigerians moving to Lagos—the heartbeat of entertainment, business, and hustle—the city can be both a land of opportunities and a place of harsh realities.

The fact that an artist who once slept in a police station on his first night now shares stages with Afrobeats giants shows the power of resilience and persistence. It also speaks to a broader reality: Lagos doesn’t hand out success easily; it demands grit, patience, and an unshakable will.

For fans, Fola’s journey adds more depth to his music. Songs like “Alone” hit differently when you know the struggles behind the artist’s voice. And perhaps his story can inspire others—artists, dreamers, hustlers—who might feel like giving up after life throws its first punch.

In the end, Lagos tests you, but it also builds you. Fola is living proof.