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FOLA’s Catharsis Logs 10.66M Spotify Streams in First Week, a Nigerian Debut Album Record
FOLA’s debut album, Catharsis, is rewriting history and setting new industry standards for Nigerian music. Within its first week on Spotify Nigeria, the project amassed an astonishing 10.66 million streams, officially making it the biggest debut week ever recorded on the platform in the country.
The achievement instantly positions FOLA as one of the most exciting breakout stars of 2025, with Catharsis already transcending its hype to become a cultural milestone.
Praised for its raw honesty, emotional storytelling, and genre-fusing production, the album has struck a chord with audiences across borders.
The body of work journeys through themes of love, healing, growth, and self-discovery. It opens with the vibrant, street-flavored “Gokada,” before shifting into introspective tracks like “Healer,” which explores pain and resilience. Breezier offerings such as “Cruise Control” lighten the mood, while the closing anthem, “It’s Going,” ties the narrative together with a mix of triumph and reflection.
FOLA’s debut album “catharsis” recorded 10.66M streams in its debut week on Spotify NG.
It is now the debut album with the biggest debut week ever on Spotify NG. 💽 pic.twitter.com/sbp4foGK72
— 49th. (@the49thstreet) September 12, 2025
Beyond its domestic dominance, Catharsis also soared internationally, debuting at No. 2 on Spotify’s Top Albums Debut Global chart, the highest placement ever for a Nigerian first project.
For FOLA, the record-breaking numbers signal more than commercial success; they represent the dawn of a lasting legacy. At a time when many debuts struggle for relevance, Catharsis has exploded onto the scene with unprecedented force, setting a new standard for emerging Nigerian artists on the world stage.