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Fola Opens Up on His Early Struggles, Betting Shop Days, and Musical Roots
Fast-rising Nigerian singer Fola has pulled back the curtain on the early chapters of his journey, revealing a path shaped by scarcity, persistence, and quiet belief.
Long before the spotlight found him, the singer was helping run his father’s small betting shop, juggling responsibility while holding tightly to a dream that felt painfully distant.
Speaking in a recent interview, Fola traced his love for music back to his high school days. At the time, the dream wasn’t professional or polished, but it was alive.
He recalled being part of a band, learning rhythm, teamwork, and expression long before he ever stepped into a real studio.
“I started making music in high school, obviously not professionally, but I had a band I was playing with,” he said.
After graduation, reality hit hard. Resources were scarce, opportunities even scarcer. Fola revealed that he didn’t own a mobile phone and had to depend on a friend’s device just to stay connected and move forward.
“It was difficult for me because I didn’t even have a phone. I was using my guy’s phone to do stuff,” he recalled.
Stuck in an environment that offered little encouragement, Fola made a practical decision. He began working at his father’s betting shop in Ibadan, taking on roles as both manager and cashier. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was necessary.
“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 explained.
Everything changed after his move to Lagos. There, fate introduced him to the late Mohbad, a connection Fola describes as pivotal to his growth, both musically and personally.
“I met Mohbad. Mohbad did a lot of things for me,” he said.
Through Mohbad, Fola was also introduced to Bella Shmurda. Despite the clear difference in their profiles at the time, Bella agreed to collaborate with him in 2022, asking for nothing in return.
“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.
Looking back, the singer remains deeply grateful for the journey and the people who helped shape it.
“I thank God for where we are today,” he said.
From a betting shop counter to the music spotlight, Fola’s story is a reminder that some dreams are built quietly, long before anyone is watching.
“Mohbad did a lot for me. I met Bella Shmurda through him. Mohbad & Bella were 5 & 6. They were always together.
Mohbad believed in me so much he could put all his money on me. He kept telling Bella, ‘This guy has talent.’ He did everything he could to sell me to Bella.”— Fola pic.twitter.com/5eDYL8PSzj
— HipTv (@HipTv) December 5, 2025