Nigerian singer-songwriter FOLA keeps his run of releases moving as he drops “Awade,” the opening cut from his sophomore album. The Afrobeats record arrives as the first track on 9, a 14-song project released under Dangbana Republik Records and EMPIRE.
The Yoruba title means “We have arrived” or “Here we come,” so it carries weight as an album opener. The album also brings in Davido, Ayra Starr, BNXN, Bella Shmurda and Zlatan.
FOLA, born Afolarin Odunlami, broke through with “alone” and built his name on soulful Afropop. He works under Bella Shmurda’s Dangbana Republik, and his debut album Catharsis came out in September 2025. His 2026 link-up with Shoday, “Paparazzi,” kept that momentum rolling.
Placing “Awade” first makes sense, because it announces the album before the guest verses land. The title itself promises arrival, so the positioning does half the work. It also gives listeners a solo FOLA moment before the features take over.
Have you played “Awade” yet? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
