Afrobeats sensation Folarin Odunlami, widely known as Fola, has shared a shocking story about how his journey in Lagos began with an unexpected arrest that landed him in a police cell on his very first day in the city.

Speaking during an interview on The Beat 99.9 FM Lagos, the Alone crooner revealed that the experience left him discouraged and reconsidering whether pursuing a music career in Lagos was the right choice.

“I moved to Lagos in 2018 to chase my music dreams. It wasn’t easy at all because I wasn’t raised here, so adjusting to the environment and the hustle was tough. On the very first day I arrived, I was arrested and spent the night in a police station. It’s a long story I don’t even like to recall I almost gave up,” he said.

Despite the rough beginning, Fola explained that his perseverance and determination helped him adapt to the demanding lifestyle of Lagos.

His resilience has since paid off, with the rising star earning recognition after signing with Bella Shmurda’s Dagbani Republik in October 2024.

Today, Fola’s career continues to soar as he collaborates with some of Afrobeats’ biggest names, including Wizkid and Kizz Daniel.