Fast-rising Nigerian singer Fola has opened up about his humble beginnings, revealing that before gaining recognition in the music industry, he worked at his father’s betting shop to survive and raise funds to support his dream.
Speaking in a recent interview, the singer shared that his passion for music began during his high school years, where he was part of a band. However, he admitted that he lacked the financial resources to pursue music professionally at the time.
“I started making music in high school, obviously not professionally, but I had a band I was playing with,” Fola recalled.
After graduating from school, the struggle became even more intense. According to him, he did not own a mobile phone and had to depend on a friend’s device to carry out basic activities related to music and daily life.
“It was difficult for me because I didn’t even have a phone. I was using my guy’s phone to do stuff,” he said.
With limited opportunities in Ibadan, Fola decided to help out at his father’s small betting shop. He explained that the move was a deliberate effort to gain financial independence and support his music ambitions.
“I checked my environment and it wasn’t encouraging, so I started working at a bet shop owned by my dad. I worked as a manager and cashier so that I could raise some money for myself,” he stated.
Fola’s major turning point came when he relocated to Lagos, where he met the late singer Mohbad. He credited Mohbad for playing a key role in opening doors for him within the music industry.
“I met Mohbad. Mohbad did a lot of things for me,” he said.
Through Mohbad, Fola was introduced to Bella Shmurda, which led to an informal collaboration in 2022. He described the experience as memorable, noting that there was no paperwork involved.
“The gap was so much between us, but Bella did it anyway even when he wasn’t going to make a dime out of it,” Fola added, expressing gratitude for the support.
Reflecting on his journey, the singer thanked God for his progress so far, saying he remains grateful for how far he has come.
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