FOLA has now passed 1.1 billion streams across all credits on Spotify, adding another 100 million to a tally that crossed the 1 billion mark only a little over a month ago.
The pace is the story. FOLA joined the billion-stream club in late September, and the new figure arrives roughly five weeks later, with the release of his sophomore album, 9, in between. The project dropped on October 9, topped the Apple Music Nigeria Top Albums chart and debuted at No. 2 on Spotify’s Top Albums Debut Global chart.
The longer view is just as striking. At the start of November last year, his Spotify count stood near 400 million, which means he has added roughly 700 million streams in under twelve months. For an artist who only broke into the mainstream in 2024, that kind of growth is rare.
The catalogue has done the heavy lifting. Catharsis spent 19 weeks at No. 1 on Spotify Nigeria’s album chart and crossed 1 billion streams across all platforms a year after its release. “Paparazzi,” his collaboration with Shoday, reached No. 1 on the Official Nigeria Top 100 in January. Now 9 is feeding the same engine, with guests including Davido, Ayra Starr, BNXN, Darkoo, Bella Shmurda and Zlatan.
FOLA now sits in a billion-stream club that includes Wizkid, Burna Boy, Rema, Tems, Davido, Asake, Ayra Starr, Omah Lay, Seyi Vibez and Joeboy. Two of those names, Davido and Ayra Starr, are on his new album. With 9 still in its first month, the next milestone is already in view.