Afrobeats singer Folarin Odunlami, better known as Fola, has revealed that he was arrested on his very first day in Lagos, an experience that almost derailed his music journey.
Speaking in a recent interview with The Beat 99.9 FM Lagos, the Alone hitmaker recalled relocating to Lagos in 2018 with high hopes of pursuing a career in music. However, the excitement quickly turned sour when he found himself spending his first night in a police station.
“The very first day I came to Lagos, I was arrested. I slept at the police station. It was a long story. I don’t want to remember it. I almost gave up,” Fola said.
He admitted the incident left him feeling demoralised and questioning his decision to move, but noted that resilience and determination kept him focused on his goals.
“Living in Lagos wasn’t easy at first because I wasn’t born here, but over time I adapted to the hustle and lifestyle,” he added.
Despite the rough start, Fola’s persistence has since paid off. In October 2024, he signed with Bella Shmurda’s Dagbani Republik, a move that significantly boosted his profile in the industry.
Today, the rising Afrobeats act has carved out a name for himself, working on collaborations with top artists while steadily building his fan base.
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