There is something special about an artist who knows exactly where he wants to go, and FOLA sounds like someone who has his eyes firmly on the prize. With his sophomore album, 9, the Afropop singer takes stock of his remarkable journey, reflecting on the changes that have shaped his life while making it clear that he is nowhere near reaching his full potential.
The title is particularly meaningful. Inspired by the number nine jersey traditionally worn by football strikers, 9 draws from FOLA’s childhood connection to the game, having played as a striker growing up in Ibadan. It is a fitting metaphor for an artist who understands the importance of positioning, timing, and, most importantly, delivering when it matters. Since his 2024 breakthrough collaboration, “alone” with BhadBoi OML, FOLA’s career has moved into a different gear. This album captures that transition, bringing together the excitement of newfound success and the determination to achieve even more.
The project gets underway with “awade”, where FOLA looks back at the difficulties along his journey while keeping his ambitions firmly focused on what lies ahead. It is an opening that establishes the album’s reflective side. However, he wastes little time reminding listeners of his growing confidence. On “how many?”, he takes a more celebratory approach, acknowledging the rewards that have come with his hard work, embracing his place in Afropop and making no apologies for enjoying the connections and opportunities his career has brought his way.
Of course, success is only one part of FOLA’s story. Matters of the heart continue to occupy an important space in his music, and 9 makes room for plenty of romantic moments. “miss u ii (nriri)” revisits the emotional territory of his 2023 release “Miss You”, while “waf” finds him completely taken by the feeling of being in love. He also pays a thoughtful nod to Nigerian music history on “crime”, giving 2Baba’s beloved “If Love Is a Crime” a contemporary interpretation that carries the spirit of the original into his own musical world.
And because every successful striker needs a solid team behind him, FOLA brings some familiar heavyweights into the picture. Davido joins him on “2am in toronto”, adding another dimension to the album’s romantic atmosphere. BNXN, a regular creative partner, also makes an appearance on “my type”, a feel-good record that celebrates different body types and promotes a positive attitude towards self-image.
For the final stretch, FOLA brings together Bella Shmurda, his label boss, and Zlatan on “it’s over”. The collaboration provides an energetic closing moment, with the trio leaning into playful confidence as FOLA reinforces the winning mentality that runs throughout the album. It is an appropriate finish for a project built around the mindset of a striker: stay focused, keep chasing the target, and make sure the job gets done.
Ultimately, 9 is an album about understanding how far you’ve travelled without losing sight of the distance still ahead. FOLA balances personal reflection, romantic storytelling, self-assurance, and strategic collaborations to present a fuller picture of who he is becoming. Rather than simply celebrating his rise, he uses the project to establish his ambitions and show that his growth is still unfolding.
If the number nine represents the player expected to make things happen in front of goal, FOLA certainly understands the assignment. With 9, he is not just enjoying his moment; he is making a convincing case for why there is plenty more to come.
With 9, FOLA turns his personal evolution into a confident Afropop statement
