Nigerian musical artist FOLA keeps it solo on “How Many?,” an Afrobeats and street-pop cut that follows his album opener “Awade.”
The mix of Afrobeats and street-pop makes this record a little different from his usual R&B-leaning songs. FOLA has built his name on soft, emotional writing, so a street-flavoured turn this early on “9” is a quiet surprise. He still keeps his melodic touch, but the energy sits a notch higher.
The sequence is neat. “Awade” announces arrival, “How Many?” puts the question on the table, and then “2am in Toronto” with Davido arrives at track three. Opening with two solo songs before the first big guest shows confidence. It gives the listener his own voice and plan to listen before anyone else joins.
The 14-track project also titled “Striker” was released by Dangbana Republik and EMPIRE. The label’s founder, Bella Shmurda, was one of FOLA’s earliest supporters, and the two worked together as far back as “Ginger Me” in 2022. That long link shows in how comfortable FOLA sounds on this album.
For fans who loved the softer “Catharsis,” this song adds a livelier shade. It shows he can move between moods without losing his centre.
Count along with “How Many?” and tell us – what is your answer?
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