FOLA is stepping into the next phase of his career with "9", a 14-track sophomore album that arrives Friday, October 9, with a lineup that suggests the singer is ready to play on a much bigger pitch.
Released through Dangbana Republik and EMPIRE, "9" follows FOLA’s 2025 debut album, "Catharsis", and takes its title from football’s number-nine position. For FOLA, the number represents more than a shirt number. It reflects his identity as a musical "finisher", an artist who comes through when it is time to deliver.
The newly revealed tracklist backs up that ambition.
The album brings together some of Afrobeats and street-pop’s biggest names, with Davido, Ayra Starr, BNXN, Darkoo, Bella Shmurda and Zlatan all appearing across the project.
FOLA has already given listeners an early taste of what to expect with "it's over", his collaboration with Bella Shmurda and Zlatan. The song opened at No. 1 on Nigeria’s Official Top 100 chart, giving the album a strong start before its official release.
There is also a notable piece of Nigerian music history tucked into the tracklist.
"Crime", listed as the album’s 11th track, features an officially approved sample of 2Baba’s beloved 2006 ballad "If Love Is A Crime". The sample brings one of Nigerian pop’s most recognisable love songs into FOLA’s new-school world, adding another layer of anticipation around the project.
FOLA has also kept the momentum going ahead of the album’s release. He dropped "Miss You II" at midnight on October 6, giving fans another preview of the sophomore era just days before the full project arrives.
For the singer, however, "9" is about more than assembling a list of big names.
In announcing the album, FOLA revealed that he made the project with some of his favourite instrumentalists, producers and artists, with each song drawing from something personal and real.
"Made this one with some of my favourite instrumentalists, producers, and artists. Every song came from somewhere real, every detail meant something," he shared.
That sentiment gives "9" a more personal dimension beneath the star-studded features. While the collaborations may be what immediately grabs attention, FOLA wants the album to connect with listeners wherever they find themselves.
With "Catharsis" establishing his place in the conversation in 2025, "9" arrives as an opportunity for FOLA to prove that his breakout was not a one-off moment.
The ingredients are certainly there: a 14-track project, heavyweight collaborations, a chart-topping lead single, a fresh release already in rotation and a carefully chosen 2Baba sample.
Now, the number nine is FOLA’s to finish.
"9" drops Friday, October 9.
