Nigerian singer Fola has reflected on his difficult beginnings in the music industry, revealing that he once lacked even a mobile phone and could only admire laptops from a distance because he could not afford the equipment needed to pursue his musical ambitions.
The singer, whose real name is Folarin Odunlami, shared the experience while reflecting on how dramatically his circumstances have changed since gaining recognition in the Nigerian music industry.
“I didn’t even have a phone. I used to see people opening their laptops and I would be like, Ayyy Laptop. There was no way to do music. It was so hard but now I can just vex and buy 1000 laptops,” Fola said.
His remarks highlight the financial challenges he faced while trying to turn his passion for music into a professional career, at a time when access to basic technology remained a major obstacle.
In an earlier interview reported by P.M. News in December 2025, Fola explained that he began making music while in secondary school, where he performed with a band. However, after leaving school, he struggled to continue pursuing music because he lacked the resources to do so professionally.
He revealed that he did not own a phone and had to rely on a friend’s device to handle activities connected to his musical ambitions.
With limited opportunities available to him in Ibadan, Fola took a job at his father’s betting shop, where he worked as a manager and cashier to earn money for himself.
The singer later moved to Lagos in search of better opportunities. During that period, he met the late singer Mohbad, whom he credited with playing an important role in his journey. He also acknowledged the support he received from Bella Shmurda, who collaborated with him early in his career.
Fola’s journey from struggling to access basic equipment to becoming an established name in Afrobeats reflects the challenges many aspiring musicians face while trying to break into the entertainment industry.
His latest comments have also drawn attention to the importance of financial resources in music production, where computers and other equipment can be essential for songwriting, recording, promotion and collaboration.
For Fola, the ability to buy 1,000 laptops is a striking contrast to the days when simply seeing someone open a laptop filled him with admiration.
The singer’s reflection serves as a reminder of how far he believes he has come, while highlighting the determination and support that helped him continue pursuing his musical ambitions despite limited resources.
