Afrobeats Star Fola Reveals He Slept in Police Cell on First Day in Lagos

|By Oko-Echem Agnes

Afrobeats singer Folarin Odunlami, better known as Fola, has opened up about a shocking experience on the very day he relocated to Lagos to chase his music dreams.

The ‘Alone’ crooner revealed that he was arrested and forced to spend his first night in the city behind bars. Speaking during an interview with The Beat 99.9 FM, Lagos, Fola admitted the ordeal nearly crushed his spirit.

“I relocated to Lagos in 2018 to pursue my music career. The very first day I came, I was arrested. I slept at the police station. It was a long story. I almost gave up,” he said.

Despite the setback, Fola said resilience has helped him navigate Lagos’ tough hustle and adapt to its fast-paced lifestyle.

Fola’s perseverance paid off when he was signed to Bella Shmurda’s Dagbani Republik in October 2024. Since then, he has risen to prominence, scoring collaborations with Afrobeats heavyweights Wizkid and Kizz Daniel.