FOLA delivers “9,” a 14-track sophomore album named for the striker’s shirt, with Davido, Ayra Starr, BNXN, Darkoo, and more.
The football idea sits at the centre. The number nine is the player everyone looks to when a team needs a goal, and FOLA says that is how he sees himself. He wants to be the artist people turn to for a hit. The album follows his 2025 debut “Catharsis,” and it runs about 39 minutes, so it moves quickly. Dangbana Republik and EMPIRE released it.
Singles built the hype first. “treat u right” with Ayra Starr, “attention!,” and “fine ting (fine $hit)” all landed before the project. Then “it’s over,” with label boss Bella Shmurda and Zlatan, arrived with a video and now closes the album as the outro. The guests come from different corners of the scene, and they are spread across the tracklist, so the energy shifts often. Davido takes the third slot on “2am in toronto,” BNXN joins on “my type,” and Darkoo arrives on “hold u down.”
One of the biggest talking points is “crime,” which reworks 2Baba’s classic “If Love Is a Crime.” That is a bold choice, but FOLA’s soulful style fits it. His melodic Afropop leans on R&B, and the songs grew from personal experiences, with help from instrumentalists and producers he admires.
For fans of “alone” and “Catharsis,” this album brings a sharper, more confident FOLA.
Kick off “9” from track one and tell us – which song is your goal of the album?
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