Nigerian singer-songwriter FOLA is set to release his sophomore album, '9', on October 9, 2026, through Dangbana Republik and EMPIRE. The 14-track project is led by "treat u right," his collaboration with Ayra Starr's Children of Blood and Bone soundtrack star Ayra Starr, and features guest appearances from Davido, BNXN, Darkoo, Bella Shmurda and Zlatan.
The album arrives on the heels of his October 3 homecoming concert at Agodi Gardens in Ibadan and lands ahead of the 18th Headies in Toronto, where FOLA is the most-nominated artiste with 10 nods — in an Afrobeats season that also produced Burna Boy's FIFA anthem Dai Dai with Shakira. Its football-inspired title nods to the number 9 striker shirt, a wink at FOLA's self-styled role as the hitmaker every side calls on for goals.
Still from FOLA and Ayra Starr's "treat u right" official music video, via Dangbana Republik and EMPIRE.
Album Facts
Album: '9'
Artist: FOLA
Release date: October 9, 2026
Labels: Dangbana Republik / EMPIRE
Tracks: 14
Features: Davido, Ayra Starr, BNXN, Darkoo, Bella Shmurda, Zlatan
Title meaning: number 9 striker shirt — "the artist you call when you need a hit".
Tracklist
'9' was previewed by two pre-release singles: "treat u right" featuring Ayra Starr, produced by Shallythechampion, and "attention!".
- awade
- how many?
- 2am in toronto (ft. Davido)
- stubborn
- miss u ii
- in order
- treat u right (ft. Ayra Starr)
- attention!
- fine $hit
- waf
- crime
- my type (ft. BNXN)
- hold u down (ft. Darkoo)
- it's over (ft. Bella Shmurda x Zlatan)
Track 11, "crime," samples a classic by Nigerian icon 2Baba, as reported by notjustok in October 2026.
Who Is FOLA?
Afolarin Odunlami, known professionally as FOLA, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter based in Ibadan. He broke out in 2024 with "Alone," which peaked at No. 7 on the UK Afrobeats chart; its remix featuring BNXN climbed to No. 1 on Nigeria's Official Streaming Songs chart. In October 2024 he signed with Bella Shmurda's Dangbana Republik, following with his debut EP "what a feeling" that December and his debut studio album "catharsis" on September 4, 2025 — an 11-track set featuring Victony, Kizz Daniel, Gabzy and Young Jonn that reportedly crossed one billion streams within a year. Earlier, his collaborative single "B4 B4" with Davido and Mayorkun spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Official Nigeria Top 100.
Watch the Official Video
Watch the official video for "treat u right" below:
Frequently Asked Questions
When is FOLA's '9' album released?
The album arrives on October 9, 2026, via Dangbana Republik and EMPIRE.
How many tracks are on '9'?
It is a 14-track album with six guest appearances across the tracklist.
Which artists feature on FOLA's '9'?
Davido, Ayra Starr, BNXN, Darkoo, Bella Shmurda and Zlatan all appear, with Bella Shmurda and Zlatan sharing the closing track.
What did FOLA release before '9'?
He released the "what a feeling" EP in December 2024 and his debut studio album "catharsis" in September 2025.
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